IDENTIFICATION OF TEXTILE FIBER

Fibers make up the face, and typically the backing of the carpet. The characteristics and qualities of the fiber are a significant determinant of the performance of the carpet.

FIBER IDENTIFICATION

Several methods are accustomed establish fibers and to differentiate them from each other. The foremost common methods embrace microscopic examination, solubility tests, heating and burning characteristics, density or specific gravity, and marking techniques.

1. Microscopic Identification

Examination of longitudinal and cross-sectional views of a fiber at one hundred to five hundred magnifications offers careful data concerning the surface morphology of the fiber. Identification of the many natural fibers is feasible using the microscope; however identification of man-made fibers is harder as a result of their similarity in look and as a result of the actual fact that spinning techniques and spinneret form will radically alter the gross morphological structure of the fiber.

2. Solubility

The chemical structure of polymers during a fiber determines the fiber's basic solubility characteristics, and also the impact of solvents on fibers will aid within the general fiber classification. Varied classification schemes involving solubility are developed to separate and establish fibers.

3. Heating and Burning Characteristics

The reaction of fibers to heat from an open flame may be a helpful guide within the identification of fibers. When thermoplastic fibers are brought near a flame, they melt, fuse, and shrink, whereas non thermoplastic fibers brown, char, or are unaffected by the flame. On contact with an open flame, fibers of organic polymers ignite and burn. The character of the burning reaction is characteristic of the chemical structure of the fiber. On removal from the flame, fibers either self-extinguish or still burn. The odor of gases returning from the decomposing fibers and also the nature of any residual ash are characteristic of the fibrous polymer being burned.

4. Density or relative density

Fiber density is also used as an aid in fiber identification. Fiber density is also determined by using a series of solvent mixtures of variable density or relative density. If the particular gravity of the fiber is bigger than that of the liquid, the fiber specimen sinks within the liquid. Conversely, if the particular gravity of the fiber is a smaller amount than that of the liquid, the fiber specimen floats. Thereby, an approximate determination of fiber density is also created.

5. Staining

Fibers have differing dyeing characteristics and affinities addicted to the chemical and morphological structure of the fiber. Ready dye mixtures containing dyes of differing affinities for numerous fiber varieties are used extensively as identification stains for undyed fabrics. Since some fiber sorts might dye to similar shades with these dye mixtures, 2 or a lot of stains sometimes should be wont to ensure the fiber content. Staining is effective just for previously undyed fibers or for fibers wherever the dye is stripped from the fiber before staining.