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American Institute of Marine Underwriters |
Commodity Search Form
WOOL
- Description: GREASY WOOL - Bales of greasy wool after a voyage show greasy marks, but this is not a sign of damage. These marks are more evident in the interior of the bale and are fainter on the cover. The hair of the wool is often covered by a wet, yellowish substance and some hair is often colorless and bristly. Both types of damage are due to damage at origin, the first to sheep mange and the second to hair being already dead when clipped. Usual packing is gunny-covered bales; covering prone to staining by greasy wool itself, and this may easily be mistaken for water damage. Water damaged greasy wool sometimes generates heat and weakens the tensile strength of fibers, and immediate treatment such as opening and re-processing is recommended. Greasy wool damaged by seawater requires washing in order to extract salt, but even sound greasy wool requires washing prior to processing or manufacture at the mill. If sheep happen to be shorn in wet or damp conditions and wool packed for shipment direct, there is a possibility of spontaneous combustion. Instances have occurred where greasy wool has suffered damage from diesel oil. It was shown that in the case of the heavily damaged wool, diesel oil having penetrated the fiber cells, the harsh treatment of washing in volatile solvents discolored the wool and made the fibers tender. While the wool may be suitable for some purposes it would not in such a condition be suitable for others. It can, however, be reclassified as discolored scoured fleece wool. The lesser damaged wool was treated in a similar manner but with the addition of extra soap and alkali solutions, and was not found to have suffered to the same extent, being reclassified as scoured (average) fleece wool. It will be seen that a proper segregation of the heavily damaged from the lesser damaged wool may result in the loss being minimized. See also IMDG Code & US CFR.
- Index: 795
- Commodity Name: WOOL