Laine — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

KeratinPolymer

~15–18%Regain

Insulation engineCrimp

Self-extinguishing tendency vs. PEFire

MerinoIcon

textilesFamily

Laine 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 Laine 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.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Laine

Laine (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

Laine 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 Laine 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

Résistance 32

Résistance à la chaleur 38

Performance au feu 48

Isolation 72

Ouvrabilité 70

Circularité 58

Questions fréquentes

Is Laine non-combustible?

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

Does Laine 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.

Icônes

Merino ram

Spain / Australia · 18th c.–

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

Lainemark

International · 1964

Lainemark is a reference point in the public image of Laine.

Harris Tweed

Scotland · 19th c.–

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

Savile Row worsted

United Kingdom · 19th c.–

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

Persian carpet wool

Iran · historic

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

Icebreaker merino

New Zealand · 1990s–

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

Felt

Eurasia · prehistoric

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

Aran knit lore

Ireland · 20th c. brand

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

Activez ou désactivez les icônes : chaque barre se recalibre sur le leader de votre sélection.

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Duels

Même famille, autres notes — choisissez un duel.

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Laine vs Coton

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Matériaux proches

Voisins les plus proches sur les six axes de l’atlas.

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Repères