Abstract

To better understand the mechanism of alkali-induced hair immunization, in this work native bovine hair was selected as the direct research subject rather than fresh salted bovine hide. The state of hair was evaluated, both before and after having undergone the procedure of immunization by measuring the changes of active groups, thermal stability, surface morphology, strength, calcium content and cystine content. The result indicates that the immunization is indeed caused by the interaction between calcium hydroxide and the cystine active center. Meanwhile, the optimum condition for immunization was: calcium hydroxide 15g/l and treatment time 90 minutes. This work may, to some extent, provide theoretical support for searching for the balance between the dehairing [hair burning] and hair saving process.