This document provides information on various types of tests used to identify different types of fibers, including non-technical and technical tests. Non-technical tests include feeling, burning, and other basic observational tests. Technical tests require laboratory equipment and include microscopic analysis to examine fiber structure and characteristics, as well as chemical tests using reagents and solvents to isolate individual fibers. The document describes the processes and observations for each test and fiber type to allow for accurate fiber identification.

1. TYPES OF TEST
The Non technical Test
 FEELING TEST
 BURNING TESTS
The Technical Test
 MICROSCOPIC TEST
 CHEMICAL TEST

2. Tests for identification
Handle/Feel Test
Visual Examination
Burning test
Twist on Drying
Floatation Test
Microscopic analysis
Chemical Analysis

3. Requirements for tests:
Preparation of test specimen
Apparatus for microscopic examination
Reagents used for chemical tests
Other tools and equipment

4. THE NON-TECHNICAL TESTS
Feeling test
Burning test

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. IDENTIFICATION OF FIBRES THROUGH BURNING
TEST
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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

13. LIMITATION OF BURNING TEST
It is apparent that many fibers have similar
burning reactions that might cause doubt and
occasional confusion.

14. 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 fibre tests.
Technicals 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.

15. TYPES OF TECHNICAL TEST
Microscopic test
Chemical test

16. 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.

17. 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 bamboo stick with
nodes

18. 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.

19. 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 striations
in the longitudinal view.

20. NYLON:
 The basic microscopic appearance is
generally fine , round, smooth, and
translucent.
 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 as texture or light
reflection.

21.  ACRYLICS: The methods of manufacturing of the acrylic fibres
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 modacrylic and SEF
modacrylic

22.  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 fibre

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. Distinguishing animal from vegetable fibres
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
fibres will not be affected by this solution.

35. Distinguishing vegetable from animal fibres
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 linen or
rayon.

36. 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.

37. DISTINGUISHING POLYESTERS FROM OTHER
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 FROM OTHER
FIBRES:
Acrylic fibers will dissolve in 70 percent solution of ammonium
thio cyanate at 130 degree Celsius but the other fibers will not.

38. DISTINGUISHING LINEN FROM COTTON
Cotton and linen are immersed in a 1% solution of fuchsine in
alcohol to give red rose colour. Later , they are washed and
immersed into ammonia, linen retains the red coloration but
cotton does not.
DISTINGUISHING GLASS FIBERS FROM OTHER FIBRES:
There are two specific solvents for quick identification of glass
fibers, they are hydrofluoric acid and hot phosphoric acid.

39. 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.

40. Fiber Identification
test
fiber
Soda ash
40% sol.
Caustic
soda
25% sol.
Sodiu
m hypo
chlorid
e
Hydro
chloric
acid
40%
Nitric
acid
15%
Nitric
acid
70%
Sulphur
ic acid
15%
Sulphur
ic acid
70%
Burning in
Flame
Microscopic
View
Remarks
Cotton swells Swells&
Shines
Whitened Turns
yellowish
Opens
up
&looses
strength
Dissolves
slowly
Dissolves
on heating
Dissolves
quickly
Burns
continuously
leaving grey ash
of burning paper
smell
Longitudinal
twists.
Resistance to
alkalis.
jute -do- -do- -do- ---
-
--- -do -do Dissolves -do Longitudinal
irregular lines
-Rough handle
Coir --- --- Color
turns
pale
--- --- --- Dissolves
on
prolonged
heating
Dissolves
slowly
-do-
black ash
Opaque thick serations
Brittle & resistant
to chemicals
Viscose Swells Swells &
slowly
dissolves
Gets
weakene
d
Turns
yellow
Dissolv
es on
heating
Dissolves Dissolves Dissolves
quickly
Burns
continuously
leaving grey ash
of burning paper
smell
Longitudinal
regular lines
Soft filaments
good luster
Silk Looses
strength
Dissolves Dissolve
s slowly
--- --- Dissolves
partial;ly
--- Dissolves Self extinguishing
Leaves crushable
Black beads
Densed centre
line Uneven
coating
Delicate
lustrous
filaments
Wool -do- -do- Dissolves --- --- Dissolves
slowly
--- Dissolves
slowly
Self extinguishing
Leaves crushable
Black beads
Fish
Scales
structure
Rough crimpy
fibers
Polyeste
r
--- --- --- --- --- Dissolves
slowly on
prolonged
treatment
transpera
nt hard
beads.
Dissolves
slowly
Burns& stops
leaving semi
Translucent&
uniform
Resistant to
chemicals
Acrylic --- --- --- --- --- Looses
strength
& dissolves
slowly
--- Turns
yellowish
brown
Dissolves &
Turns yellowish
brown
Burns & stops
Out of flame
Leaving dark
hard beads
Translucent&
uniform
Lofty & more
voluminous
Nylon --- --- --- --- --- Looses
strength
--- Dissolves
slowly
Burns & stops
Out of flame
Leaving dark
hard beads
Translucent&
uniform
Strong
More elastic

41. THANK YOU