the abrasion resistance of fabric composed partly or wholly of recycled wool fibers is increased by impregnating the fabric with an aqueous solution of an acrylate monomer containing a polymerization initiator , an acid , and , preferably , a surfactant promoting contact of the fibers with the solution . the fabric , which has been impregnated at a temperature below the polymerization initiation temperature , is washed with water to remove the impregnating solution from the exterior scaly surface of the wool fibers while leaving the solution within the fiber cortex , and thereafter the fabric is cured by heating it at a temperature above the polymerization initiation temperature of the acrylate monomer . the process provides a means for increasing the durability of the fabric without appreciable modification of other desirable properties of the fabric .