Greasy length after carding (gLAC)

The Length after Carding (LAC) test was designed as a test for determining the mean fibre length of scoured wool. It has proven to be a very precise test for NZ scoured wool. It is a pilot-scale semi-worsted carding and gilling line, and hence provides a practical analogue to the mill process.

The standard length prediction for greasy wool is based on the measurement of staple length and strength, but this is only suitable for combing wools for which the staples have clearly-defined ends. For quarterbred, halfbred and crossbred wools, it is often not possible to measure staple length and strength reliably, so the LAC test was extended to greasy wool by means of a controlled scouring step.

The LAC test method is currently a New Zealand Standard (NZS 8719), but is being considered for adoption as a joint Australia-New Zealand test method. The draft gLAC method was included in the document being considered by the AS/NZS committee TX/12, but has now been held in abeyance whilst the principal test method is being finalised.

SGS Wool Testing Services can provide gLAC test reports based on an in-house method.