Part II: How to Identify Man Made Fibers
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We have discussed on how to identify natural made fibers from your garments like mens dress shirts or any ready to wear or custom dress shirts in the previous article. In this article however focuses on the identification of man made fibers in your dress shirts or any clothes. There is no difference on the procedure, you still need to use the burn test method.
Acetate is a wood fiber made, technically cellulose acetate. This fiber burns readily with an unsteady light (flickering flame) which cannot be easily blew out. The burned portion drips and leaves a hard ash and the smell is similar to a burning wood chips.
Acrylonitrile or the acrylic fiber is made from a petroleum and natural gas. Acrylics easily burns due to the fiber content and air filled pockets. It can easily ignite a fabric even with just a drop of match or cigarette and this will burn rapidly unless extinguished. The smell is strong and sharp, and the ash is hard in consistency.
Nylon (polyamide) is another fabric made from petroleum. The nylon easily melts and burns rapidly if the flame remains on the melted fiber. The smell of a burned nylon is similar to a burning plastic.
Polyester (polymer) is produced from air, coal, water, and petroleum products. The polyester melts and burns at the same time, and the melted fabric easily bonds on any surface it drips on including skin. The extinguished ash is very hard in consistency while the smoke from polyester is black and has a sweet smell.
A regenerated cellulose fiber named rayon is almost as pure as a cellulose. Rayon burns quickly and leaves only a very slight ash and the burning smell similar to a burning leaves.
Blends consist of two or more fibers but this will be difficult to identify because of the mixture of natural and man made fabric. Burn test can be used but the fabric content cannot be accurately identified.
