Wolle — Geschichte, Struktur, Eigenschaften und Nutzung

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KeratinPolymer

~15–18%Regain

Insulation engineCrimp

Self-extinguishing tendency vs. PEFire

MerinoIcon

textilesFamily

Wolle is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under textiles: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Wolle with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Tiefe Einführung

Deep dive: Wolle

Wolle (keratin protein) is a family of grades whose density ~1.31 g/cm³, heat band chars; does not melt-drip like PE, and fire letter better than commodity synthetics in many apparel tests.

What “the material” actually is

Wolle is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry keratin protein, density ~1.31 g/cm³, heat band chars; does not melt-drip like PE.

This atlas treats Wolle as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: low when lofted. Insulation score 72/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: better than commodity synthetics in many apparel tests. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: Neolithic sheep; merino Spain; industrial Yorkshire, Near East → Spain → Australia. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: cotton.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 58/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Festigkeit 32

Hitzebeständigkeit 38

Brandverhalten 48

Dämmung 72

Verarbeitbarkeit 70

Kreislauf 58

Häufige Fragen

Is Wolle non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: better than commodity synthetics in many apparel tests. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Wolle insulate?

Thermal mark 72/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: low when lofted.

What is the density band?

~1.31 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: Neolithic sheep; merino Spain; industrial Yorkshire (Near East → Spain → Australia).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 58/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

chars; does not melt-drip like PE

What should it be paired with?

cotton: Cellulose comfort without keratin’s odour story.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Ikonen

Merino ram

Spain / Australia · 18th c.–

Merino ram is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Wollemark

International · 1964

Wollemark is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Harris Tweed

Scotland · 19th c.–

Harris Tweed is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Savile Row worsted

United Kingdom · 19th c.–

Savile Row worsted is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Persian carpet wool

Iran · historic

Persian carpet wool is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Icebreaker merino

New Zealand · 1990s–

Icebreaker merino is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Felt

Eurasia · prehistoric

Felt is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Aran knit lore

Ireland · 20th c. brand

Aran knit lore is a reference point in the public image of Wolle.

Ikonen ein- und ausschalten — jeder Balken skaliert auf den Führenden Ihrer Auswahl.

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Duelle

Gleiche Familie, andere Noten — ein Duell wählen.

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Wolle vs Baumwolle

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