identification of fibre - Textile

Fiber Analysis: Qualitative

identification of textile fibre- microscope

1. Grouped By Generic Classifications of Textile Fibres

Group 1 - Natural Fibers

Natural Fibers
a. Cellulose (Vegetable)	b. Keratin (Animal) (Natural Protein Fibres)	c. Mineral
1. Seed Fibres Cotton Akund Kapok	1. Wool & Chlorinated wool	· Asbestos
	2. Silk Bombyx (cultivated) Tasar or Tussah (wild)
2. Bast Fibres I. Low Lignin Content Linen or Flax Ramie II. High Lignin Content Jute Mesta Rosella True Hemp Sunn Hemp
	3. Alpaca Camel Cashmere Horse llama Mohair Rabbit Vicuna Yak
3. Leaf Fibres Manila Hemp (Abaca) Sisal (Agave)
4. Fruit or Nut Fibre Coir

Group 2 - Man-Made Fibers

Man Made Fibers
a. Regenerated Fibres	b. Synthetic Fibres
1. Cellulosic Viscose Cuprammonium Acetate (secondary & triacetate) Polynosic High-Wet Modulus Fibres (HWM)	1. Polyamides Nylon 6 Nylon 66 Nylon 610 Etc…
	2. Polyester Terylene Terene Dacron Etc…
2. Protein Casein Groundnut Fibre Zein	2. Polyester Terylene Terene Dacron Etc…
	3. Polyvinyl Derivatives I. Polyvinyl Chloride Pe Ce Rhovyl Etc… II. Polyvinyl Chloride Acetate Vinylon ST Vinyon HH III. Polyvinyl Chloride Acrylonitrile Vinyon N Dynel IV. Polyvinylonitrile (Acrylic fibre) Orlon Acrilan V. Polyvinyl Alcohol Vinylon Kuralon VI. Polystyrene & Copolymers Styroflex Polyfil Etc.. VII. Polyvinylidene Chloride & Copolymers Saran Velon
	4. Polyolefins I. Polyethylene Polythene II. Polypropylene Reevon

Group 3 - Inorganic Fibers

Inorganic Fibres

a. Glass

b. Metal

2. Fibre identification by Burning Test-

A small tuft of fibres is held by forceps in the frame of a micro-burner for about

10 seconds and is then removed. It is noted whether the tuft burns or not; whether it forms any bead or whether the ash skeleton is retained; the type of smell emitted during burning is also noted. The test is carried out in daylight.

Reaction to Flame

3. Fibre identification by Density

Identification Density & Melting Point
Natural Fibre	Density g/cc	Melting Point ℃
Asbestos (chrysotile)	2.1-2.8	Over 350
Cellulose	1.51	none
Silk	1.32-1.34	none
Wool & Other Hair	1.15-1.30	none

Identification Density & Melting Point
Man-Made Fibre	Density g/cc	Melting Point ℃
Acetate, Secondary	1.32	260
Acetate, tri	1.30	288
Acrylic	1.12-1.19	none
Anidex	1.22	Softens at 190℃
Aramid	1.38	Char at 400℃
Azlon	1.30	none
Modacrylic	1.30 or 1.36	188 or 120
Novoloid	1.25	none
Nylon	1.12-1.15	213-225
Nylon 6,6	1.12-1.15	256-265
Nytril	1.20	218
Polyester	1.38 or 1.23	250-260 or 282
Polyethylene	0.90-0.92	135
polypropylene	0.90-0.92	170
Rayon	1.51	none
Rubber	0.96-1.06	none
Saran	1.70	168
Spandex	1.20-1.21	230
Vinal	1.26-1.30	-
Vinyon	1.34-1.37	230 or 400

Identification Density & Melting Point
Inorganic Fibre	Density g/cc	Melting Point ℃
Metallic	Varies	Over 300
Glass	2.4-2.6	850

4. Fibre identification by Solubility Test

Floatation Test -

A small sample of the fibre after degreasing in benzene-methanol mixture ( 3:2 ) is placed in the test liquid and pushed below the surface by means of a glass rod. The liquid should be illuminated transversely and viewed against a black background to observe whether the sample floats on the surface or sinks.

5. Fibre identification by Microscope

Microscopic Analysis

Longitudinal Examination - Place a small number of fibres on a glass slide in a suitable

mounting medium, cover the fibres with a covering glass. Examine the fibres at a specified magnification under microscope.

Cross-Section Examination - Take a tuft of fibres and prepare the specimen with the

cross-sectioning device, place it on a glass slide in a suitable mounting medium and cover it with a covering glass. Examine the fibres at a specified magnification under microscope.