A Comparison of the Physical Properties Between Merino Wool and Camel Hair Through Discriminant Analysis

ABSTRACT

The applicability of camel hair is still conditioned by a gap in the knowledge about this raw material, which in turn hinders its supply chain, commercial possibilities, and the value that the product reaches in the market. The present research compares the physical-mechanical properties of Canarian camel hair versus Merino sheep wool, the world’s most popular proteinic fabric material, using a discriminant canonical analysis. The attributes that maximized differences between both types of animal-origin fibers were related to average fiber diameter, fineness, length staple, and residual dirt. Although slightly shorter than sheep wool, camel hair can reach a prominent fabric quality and spinning performance given its greater average diameter and its lower variation within small fragments along the snippet, as well as the higher distance from the tip to the finest point in the staple, which is an indicator for the breaking point. Such characteristics are known to increase bending rigidity during the manufacturing process. Residual dirt may be associated with the low-input, extensive exploitation of camels. The present paper provides a reference for maturing pre-process and manufacture techniques for the further valorization of camel hair in the present-day textile industry and, thus, engages income opportunities for this livestock production.

摘要

骆驼毛的适用性仍然受到对这种原材料知识差距的制约，这反过来又阻碍了其供应链、商业可能性和产品在市场上的价值. 本研究使用判别规范分析比较了加那利驼毛与世界上最流行的蛋白质织物材料美利奴羊毛的物理力学性能. 使两种动物来源纤维之间差异最大化的属性与平均纤维直径、细度、短纤维长度和残留污垢有关. 尽管驼毛比羊毛略短，但鉴于其较大的平均直径和沿片段的小片段内的较低变化，以及从尖端到缝合线中最细点的较高距离（这是断裂点的指标），驼毛可以达到显著的织物质量和纺纱性能. 已知这样的特性会在制造过程中增加弯曲刚度. 残留的泥土可能与骆驼的低投入、广泛开采有关. 本文为成熟的预加工和制造技术提供了参考，以进一步提高骆驼毛在当今纺织业中的价格，从而为这种畜牧生产创造收入机会.

KEYWORDS:

• Camel hair
• sheep wool
• optical fiber measurement
• comparative analysis
• niche market
• OFDA

KEYWORDS:

• 关键词
• 驼毛
• 羊毛
• 光纤测量
• 比较分析
• 利基市场

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2024.2326920.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank ‘Aires Africanos’ Aires Africanos” Eco-tourism Company, Oasis Park Fuerteventura and ‘Camelus’ Camellos de Almería, for their direct technical help and assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, F.J.N.G., upon reasonable request.

Highlights

The greater the diameter at the base and the spin fineness in camel hair, the greater its resistance to industrial processing and the softer sensation to the touch.

The ability to absorb/reflect light and the internal medullation provides camel hair with enhanced heat-insulating properties.

Residual dirt must be exhaustively controlled to ensure a high percentage of camel fibers suitable for profitable processing.

Additional information

Funding

The present research was carried out in the financing framework of the international project CA.RA.VA.N - “Toward a Camel Transnational Value Chain” (Reference APCIN-2016-00011-00-00) and during the coverage period of a predoctoral contract (FPU Fellowship) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and a Ramón y Cajal Post-Doctoral Contract with the reference MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union “NextGenerationEU”/PRTR.