Word: elasticum
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Shrink-Proof Wool A wool fibre consists of: 1) the cortex (scaly outer layer), 2) elasticum (inner layer), 3) core. If soaked in water, the elasticum and core contract, pulling the cortex with them and shrinking the wool 10 to 30%. For years chemists have searched for a way to "lubricate" these inner parts to prevent shrinking, but most of them failed.* The treatments either made the wool scratchy, bleached its dyes or damaged its durability. Last week the U. S. granted two patents on processes which make wool shrink-proof but promise not to harm...
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