Lã — história, estrutura, propriedades e usos

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KeratinPolymer

~15–18%Regain

Insulation engineCrimp

Self-extinguishing tendency vs. PEFire

MerinoIcon

textilesFamily

Lã 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 Lã 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.

Introdução profunda

Deep dive: Lã

Lã (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

Lã 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 Lã 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.

Perfil

Resistência 32

Resistência ao calor 38

Desempenho ao fogo 48

Isolamento 72

Trabalhabilidade 70

Circularidade 58

Perguntas frequentes

Is Lã non-combustible?

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

Does Lã 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.

Ícones

Merino ram

Spain / Australia · 18th c.–

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

Lãmark

International · 1964

Lãmark is a reference point in the public image of Lã.

Harris Tweed

Scotland · 19th c.–

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

Savile Row worsted

United Kingdom · 19th c.–

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

Persian carpet wool

Iran · historic

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

Icebreaker merino

New Zealand · 1990s–

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

Felt

Eurasia · prehistoric

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

Aran knit lore

Ireland · 20th c. brand

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

Ligue ou desligue ícones — cada barra reescala para o líder da sua seleção.

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Confrontos

Mesma família, outras notas — escolha um duelo.

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Lã vs Algodão

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