Identification of Textile Fiber | Fiber Test for Identification

There are many methods available for identification of the structural, physical, and chemical properties of
fibers. Various methods are used for fibre 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.

Fig: Textile fiber burning test

TYPES OF TEXTILE FIBER TEST

The Non technical Test

1. FEELING TEST
2. BURNING TESTS
The Technical Test

1. MICROSCOPIC TEST
2. CHEMICAL TEST
Tests for identification

1. Handle/Feel Test
2. Visual Examination
 3. Burning test
4. Twist on Drying
5. Floatation Test
6. Microscopic analysis
7. Chemical Analysis
Requirements for tests:

1. Preparation of test specimen

2. Apparatus for microscopic examination
3. Reagents used for chemical tests
4. Other tools and equipment
THE NON-TECHNICAL TESTS

1. Feeling test
2. 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
content.
BURNING TEST
To recognize the composition of fabrics by the burning test ,the sample of fibre, 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 colour should be
examined.

TECHNICAL TESTS
There are certain technical tests performed for identifying various fibers. These tests req uire high
technology laboratory equipment a nd are much more reliable than the non tech nical fibre tests. Technicals
tests require high skilled personn el and technical know how of handling chemi cals and their accurate
analysis. These tests are very valuable for those fabrics that are a blend of different yarns and also have
certai n special properties including flame retardan ce etc.

TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEST

1. Microscopic test
2. Chemical test
MICROSCOPIC TEST

1. Microscopic test is a technical test that involves identifying the fabric with the help of a microscope
with a magnification of minimum 100 power.
2. The test can easily distinguish between fibers.
3. The test identifies the natural fibers more easilyas compared to man made ones.
4. Synthetic fibers are very similar in appearanceand the increase in the number of varieties, makes it a
little tough to distinguish the fibers even under a microscope.
CHEMICAL TESTS

1. 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 undertaken to establish the identity of
the fibers used.
2. These tests give accurate and precise analysis.
3. The tests are conducted in research laboratory
4. Burning Test of Textile Fiber | Flammability Test of Textile
Fiber | Fiber Identification Through Burning Test
5. Fabric Identification is done with a simple fabric burn test or fiber burn test. Flammability testing,
Flammability Test is best to know the identification of fabric.
6.
To recognize the composition of fabrics by the burning test ,the sample of fibre, 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 colour should be examined.

To identify fabric that is unknown, a simple burn test can be done to determine if the fabric is a
natural fiber, man made fiber, or a blend of natural and man made fibers. The burn test is used by
many fabric stores and designers and takes practice to determine the exact fiber content. However,
an inexperienced person can still determine the difference between many fibers to "narrow" the
choices down to natural or man made fibers. This elimination process will give information
necessary to decide the care of the fabric.

Warning
All fibers will burn! Asbestos treated fibers are, for the most part fire proof. The burning test should
be done with caution. Use a small piece of fabric only. Hold the fabric with tweezers, not your
 fingers. Burn over a metal dish with soda in the bottom or even water in the bottom of the dish.
Some fabrics will ignite and melt. The result is burning drips which can adhere to fabric or skin and
cause a serious burn.

Identification of Fibers Through Burning Test:

7.
Cotton
When ignited it burns with a steady flame and smells like burning leaves. The ash left is 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.

Silk
It is a protein fibre 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 fibre but is harder to ignite than silk as the individual "hair" fibres 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.

Man Made Fibres

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 fibre 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.

Nylon
Nylon melts and then burns rapidly if the flame remains on the melted fibre. If you 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.

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

Limitation of Burning Test:

It is apparent that many fibers have similar burning reactions that might cause doubt and occasional
confusion.
Microscopic Test for Natural Fiber | Microscopic Test for Manmade
Fiber | Chemical Test for Textile Fiber
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 fibre 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.

Fig: Fiber's microscopic test

TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEST
1. Microscopic test
2. Chemical test
MICROSCOPIC TEST
1. Microscopic test is a technical test that involves identifying the fabric with the help of a microscope
with a magnification of minimum 100 power.
2. The test can easily distinguish between fibers.
3. The test identifies the natural fibers more easily as compared to man made ones.
4. 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.
MICROSCOPIC TEST FOR NATURAL FIBERS

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 400 convolutions 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
WOOL:
 Under the microscope , wool’s 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.

MICROSCOPIC TEST FOR MANMADE FIBERS

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 multilobal appearance with indentations.
These indentations appear as occasional markings or

NYLON:
The basic microscopic appearance is generally fine ,round, smooth, andtranslucent.
It is also produced in multilobal cross-sectional 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, such

ACRYLICS:
The methods of manufacturing of the acrylic fibres differ, the appearances vary accordingly.
1. ACRILAN ACRYLIC: It has a bean-shaped cross section, its longitudinal appearance is straight and
smooth.
2. ORLON ACRYLIC: It has a flat, nut-shaped cross section.
3. CRESLAN ACRYLIC: It has an almost round cross section.
4. MOD ACRYLICS: it is of two types verel modacrylic and SEF modacrylic
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.

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 undertaken 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 Fibre Identification (DBFI), the test is based on the theory that each fibre
has its own distinct two- colour reaction when treated with stain.

A fibre will turn to a particular colour in the presence of dilute acetic acid and to some other specific colour
when stained in the presence of a mild alkali.

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

Advantages
 More reliable than the non technical tests.
 Used for both man made fibres and natural fibres.
 Easily conducted.
Limitations
 Certain manufacturing and finishing processes like mercerizing, affects the appearance of the fibres
under the microscope.
 Very dark coloured fabrics cannot be identified under microscope.
 Dye stuffs must be removed from fabrics.
Identification of Fibre | Fiber Identification | Identification of
Thermoplastic Fibre

Name of the Experiment: Identification of given fiber sample .

Objects:
1. To know about the physical properties of sample fiber.
2. To know about the chemical properties of sample fiber.
3. To identify the type of sample fibre.
 Identification of fiber with burn test
Visual properties:
 Colour: White
 Handle: Harsh
Physical test:
Preliminary sorting test by heating:
We took small tuft of fibres hold in forceps and brought it slowly up to but not into a small
non-luminous flame. Then observe the condition:
Obs. Behavior Remark
no.
1 Does not shrink from flame or melt Non-
thermoplastic

For non- thermoplastic fibre:

Bring a small tuft of fibres into a small non-luminous flame –
Obs. Behavior Remark
no.
1 Burn with irregular spurting flame, leaving a Protein
black inflated, easily powdered residue & (Silk & Wool)
emits a smell of burnt hair.

Chemical test:
Obs. Chemical Behavior Remark
no. Cold Hot
1. Phenol Unchanged Unchanged
2. Dimethyl Unchanged Unchanged
formamide
3. Sulphuric acid Unchanged Dissolve May be silk
4. Sodium Unchanged Dissolve May be wool
hydroxide

Confirmation test:
Obs. Chemical Behavior Result
no. Cold Hot
1. Sodium Unchanged Dissolve Wool
hydroxide

Visual properties:
 Colour: White
 Handle: Soft.
Physical test:
Preliminary sorting test by heating:
We took small tuft of fibres hold in forceps and brought it slowly up to but not into a small
non-luminous flame. Then observe the condition:
Obs. Behavior Remark
no.
1. Shrink from flame or melts with the Thermoplastic
formation of bead

For thermoplastic fibre:

Bring a small tuft of fibres into a small non-luminous flame –
Obs. Behavior Odor Residue Remark
no.
1. Melts then Aromatic Glossy brown May be
burns bead (not Polyester
(smoky crushable)
flame)

Chemical test:
Obs. Chemical Behavior Remark
no. Cold Hot
1. Sulphuric acid Unchange Unchange
2. Dimethyl Unchange Unchange
formamide
3. Phenol Unchange Dissolve May be
Polyester
4. Sodium Unchange Unchange
hydroxide

Confirmation test:
Obs. Chemical Behavior Result
no. Cold Hot
1. Phenol Unchange Dissolve Polyester

Conclusion:
I would like to thank our respected teacher for the important instructions. I am also grateful
to our lab assistants for their kind help. This experiment helps me to know about the fabric
abrasion resistance and its measuring test that is very important for textile testing. I think
this will be very helpful in my future life.