ASSIGNMENT ON

I D E N T I F I C AT I O N O F T E X T I L E
FIBERS

A number of methods are available for characterization of

the structural, physical, and chemical properties of fibers.
Various methods are used for fiber identification like
microscopic methods, solubility, heating and burning method,
density and staining etc. End-use property characterization
methods often involve use of laboratory techniques which are
adapted to simulate actual conditions of average wear on the
textile or that can predict performance in end-use.

TYPES OF TEST
The Non technical Test
FEELING TEST
BURNING TEST

The Technical Test

MICROSCOPIC TEST
CHEMICAL TEST

TESTS FOR
I D E N T I F I C AT I O N

Handle/Feel Test

Visual Examination

Burning test

Twist on Drying

Floatation Test

Microscopic analysis

Chemical Analysis

REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS

Preparation of test specimen Apparatus

for microscopic examination Reagents
used for chemical tests Other tools and
equipment

T H E N O N -T E C H N I C A L
TESTS

Feeling test
Burning test

FEELING TEST
The feeling test requires perception
if it is to be of any value.
Skilled perception is acquired only
after handling many different fabrics
over a period of time.
Limitations of this test become
apparent when examining and
comparing fabrics of different fiber

BURNING TEST
To recognize the composition of fabrics by the
burning test ,the sample of fiber, yarn of fabric
should be moved slowly towards a small flame
and the reaction to heat carefully observed
.One end of the sample should be put directly
into flame to determine its burning rate and
characteristics. The burning odour should be
noted and the characteristics of the ash such as
amount ,form, hardness and color should be
examined

I D E N T I F I C AT I O N O F F I B R E S
THROUGH BURNING TEST

Cotton :
When ignited it burns with a steady flame
and smells like burning leaves. The ash
lefties easily crumbled. Small samples of
burning cotton can be blown out as you
would a candle.

Linen:
Linen takes longer to ignite. The fabric
closest to the ash is very brittle. Linen is
easily extinguished by blowing on it as
you would a candle.

Cotton Fiber

Linen Fiber

Silk:
It is a protein fiber and usually burns readily, not
necessarily with a steady flame, and smells like
burning hair. The ash is easily crumbled. Silk
samples are not as easily extinguished as cotton
or linen.

Wool
It is also a protein fiber but is harder to ignite
than silk as the individual "hair" fibers are shorter
than silk and the weave of the fabrics is generally
looser than with silk. The flame is steady but more
difficult to keep burning. The smell of burning
wool is like burning hair.

Silk Fiber

Wool Fiber

MAN MADE FIBERS

Acetate:
Acetate burns readily with a flickering flame
that cannot be easily extinguished. The
burning cellulose drips and leaves a hard ash.
The smell is similar to burning wood chips.

Acrylic:
Acrylics burn readily due to the fiber content
and the lofty, air filled pockets. A match
dropped on an acrylic blanket can ignite the
fabric which will burn rapidly unless
extinguished. The ash is hard. The smell is
acrid or harsh

Acetate Fiber

Acrylic Fiber

 Nylon:
Nylon melts and then burns rapidly if the
flame remains on the melted fiber. If i
can keep the flame on the melting nylon,
it smells like burning plastic.

Polyester:
Polyester melts and burns at the same
time, the melting, burning ash can bond
quickly to any surface it drips on
including skin. The smoke from polyester
is black with a sweetish smell. The
extinguished ash is hard.

Nylon Fiber

Polyester Fiber

Rayon:
It is a regenerated cellulose
fiber which is almost pure
cellulose. Rayon burns rapidly
and leaves only a slight ash.
The burning smell is close to
burning leaves

Rayon Fiber

FIBER BURN CHART

L I M I TAT I O N O F B U R N I N G T E S T

It is apparent that many fibers

have similar burning reactions
that might cause doubt and
occasional confusion.

TECHNICAL TESTS
There are certain technical tests performed for
identifying various fibers. These tests require high
technology laboratory equipment and are much more
reliable than the non technical fiber tests.
Technical tests require high skilled personnel and
technical know how of handling chemicals and their
accurate analysis. These tests are very valuable for
those fabrics that are a blend of different yarns and
also have certain special properties including flame
retardance etc.

TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEST

Microscopic test
Chemical test

MICROSCOPIC TEST

Microscopic test is a technical test that involves

identifying the fabric with the help of a microscope with a
magnification of minimum 100 power.
The test can easily distinguish between fibers.
The test identifies the natural fibers more easily as
compared to man made ones.

Synthetic fibers are very similar in appearance and the

increase in the number of varieties, makes it a little tough
to distinguish the fibers even under a microscope

M I C R O S C O P I C T E S T F O R N AT U R A L F I B E R S

COTTON:

It is a single elongated cell. Under the microscope, it

resembles a collapsed, spirally twisted tube with a rough
surface.
The thin cell wall of the fiber has from 200 to
400convolutions per inch.

LINEN:
Under the microscope, the hair like flax fiber shows
several sided cylindrical filaments with fine pointed
ends.
The fiber somewhat resembles a straight, smooth.

Cotton Fiber

Linen fiber

 WOOL:
Under the microscope , wools cross
section shows three layers- epidermis,
cortex and the medulla.

SILK:
It appears somewhat elliptical and
triangular in cross section when we see
under the microscope.
It is composed of fibroin, consisting of two
filaments, called brin which is held
together by sericin.

Wool fiber

Silk fiber

MICROSCOPIC TEST FOR MANMADEFIBERS

RAYONS:
Rayon fibers have a glasslike luster under the
microscope and appear to have a uniform
diameter when viewed longitudinally.

ACETATE:
The cross sectional view has a bulbous or
multi global appearance with indentations.
These indentations appear as occasional
markings.

Acetate fiber

Rayon fiber

 NYLON:
The basic microscopic appearance is
generally fine ,round, smooth, and translucent.
It is also produced in multilobal crosssectional types.

POLYESTERS:
Generally, polyester fibers are smooth and
straight and the cross-section is round.
This general characteristics may be altered to
achieve certain characteristics.

Nylon fiber

Polyester fiber

 ACRYLICS: The methods of manufacturing of the

acrylic fibers differ, the appearances vary
accordingly.
ACRILAN ACRYLIC: It has a bean-shaped cross
section, its longitudinal appearance is straight and
smooth.
ORLON ACRYLIC: It has a flat, nut-shaped cross
section.
CRESLAN ACRYLIC: It has an almost round cross
section.
MOD ACRYLICS: it is of two types verel mod acrylic

SPANDEX: Spandex fibers are unique in appearance,

they appear to be groups of fibers fused together.

GLASS:

The fiber is smooth, round, translucent, highly

lustrous, and quite flexible.

Asbestos fiber: This method is for the analysis of

asbestos in air by Phase Contrast Microscopy. Results are
reported as fibers per cubic centimeter and depend on the
volume of air sampled. PCM analysis is not asbestos fiber
specific and will count all fibers meeting the methods
criteria for fiber determination.

CHEMICAL TESTS
Chemical tests are another technical means of
identifying fibers. But chemical tests are not
intended for the general consumers.
Different types of chemical tests are under taken
to establish the identity of the fibers used.
These tests give accurate and precise analysis.
The tests are conducted in research laboratories .

TYPES OF CHEMICAL TEST

Stain Test:
Also known as the Double Barrel Fiber
Identification(DBFI), the test is based
on the theory that each fiber has its
own distinct two- color reaction when
treated with stain. A fiber will turn to
a particular color in the presence of
dilute acetic acid and to some other
specific color when stained in the
presence of a mild alkali.

Solvent Test:
The test involves treating the fibers in
certain solvents for identifying them.
The technical test is becoming difficult
to conduct as most of the manufactured
fibers and their blends are chemically
similar. There is no individual chemical
or solvent test for separating or
identifying the fibers in combinations.

Distinguishing animal from vegetable fibers with an

acid :
As strong alkali destroy animal substances, a
5%of soda lye solution in water can be used to
eliminate wool and silk fibers from a sample
that contains a mixture of fiber. The vegetable
fibers will not be affected by this solution.

Distinguishing vegetable from animal fibers with an

acid
As dilute acid destroy vegetable fibers, a
2%sulphuric acid solution can be used. A drop
of solution is placed on the sample, which is
then pressed with a hot iron. The spotted area
will become charred if the sample is cotton

 DISTINGUISHING SILK FROM WOOL:

The use of concentrated cold hydrochloric

acid will dissolve the silk and the wool fiber

swells.
DISTINGUISHING NYLON FROM OTHER FIBRES:
If the fabric is thought to contain nylon, the
fabric may be immersed in a boiling solution
of sodium hydroxide. The nylon is insoluble in
such a solution

 DISTINGUISHING

POLYESTERS

FROMOTHER FIBRES:
Polyester is soluble in hot meta cresol; however ,unlike
acetate it is not soluble in acetone, and unlike nylon it is
not soluble in concentrated formic acid.

DISTINGUISHING ACRYLICS
FROMOTHER FIBRES:
Acrylic fibers will dissolve in 70 percent solution of
ammonium thiocyanate at 130 degree Celsius but the
other fibers will not.

 DISTINGUISHING LINEN FROM COTTON

Cotton and linen are immersed in a 1%
solution of fuchsine in alcohol to give red rose
color. Later ,they are washed and immersed
into ammonia, linen retains the red coloration
but cotton does not.

DISTINGUISHING GLASS FIBERS FROM

OTHERFIBRES:
There are two specific solvents for quick
identification of glass fibers, they are
hydrofluoric acid and hot phosphoric acid.

 Advantages:

More reliable than the non technical tests.

Used for both man made fibers and natural fibers.
Easily conducted.

Limitations
Certain manufacturing and finishing processes like mercerizing,
affects the appearance of the fibers under the microscope.
Very dark colored fabrics cannot be identified under microscope.
Dye stuffs must be removed from fabrics.