Wet wool insulates effectively because its unique fiber structure traps air, even when wet, which prevents heat from escaping.
The Science of Wet Wool Insulation
Unlike many other materials, wool maintains its insulating properties when damp. The primary reason for this is the structure of its fibers. Wool fibers are covered in tiny, overlapping scales. When wool gets wet, these scaly fibers prevent the material from collapsing entirely and becoming matted down.
The Role of Air Pockets
Because the scaly structure prevents the fibers from fully compacting, they are able to maintain numerous air pockets within the fabric, even when moisture is present. These trapped pockets of air are crucial for insulation. Air is a poor conductor of heat, meaning it doesn't easily allow warmth to pass through it. Therefore, these air pockets are instrumental in keeping warmth from escaping through the material. This mechanism allows wet wool to offer much better insulation compared to other materials that lose most of their air-trapping ability when wet.
