What characteristic gives wool its resiliency?

Wool's resiliency primarily stems from its natural cross links and crimps. The unique structure of wool fibers includes a series of interlocking scales and twists, which create a natural crimp. This crimping allows wool to return to its original shape after being compressed or stretched, making it highly resilient and providing excellent recovery. The cross-linking of proteins in the wool fiber also plays a crucial role in absorbing moisture and retaining its shape, contributing to its overall durability and resilience.

While high tensile strength is a beneficial property of many fibers, it is primarily the combination of cross links and natural crimps that specifically enhances wool's ability to bounce back. Synthetic additives might improve some qualities of textiles, but they do not characterize the inherent properties of wool itself. Conversely, heavy weight is not a definitive factor related to resilience; a lighter wool can still exhibit excellent resilience due to its structural characteristics. Hence, the natural features of wool fibers are key to their resilience.