Identifying Carpet Fibers Type

 As you have already become an expert in carpet fibers after my previous article now I would like to give you few tips how to identify them. There are generally two methods of identifying carpet fibers – a burn test evaluation and chemical testing. The third method is exactly for you, my dear followers - the pros who can identify carpet fiber by just rubbing across the pile.

The chemical test is the most reliable, but most consumers might not have the access to the most chemicals necessary for this test. Each fiber can be dissolved in a particular chemical. 

Nylon: dissolves in formic acid. A few drops of formic acid on nylon fiber will make dissolve the fiber in 20 – 60 seconds. A rule of thumb will be that type 6.6 will take longer to dissolve than type 6 nylon.

SG475 Stix, 100% Enviro Green Solution Dyed Nylon

Wool: dissolves in Chlorox in about 5 minutes. If wool has been blended with other fibers these fibers will remain undissolved.

100% Wool 

Olefin: While this fiber "floats on water", naphtha can be used for fiber identification. To use the specific gravity test, place a drop of dishwashing liquid in a cup of water and place the fiber in the mixture. Olefin fibers float whereas all others sink.

100% Olefin

Polyester: dissolves in boiling di-methylformamide. In case your kitchen cupboard is missing this rarely used, but necessary ingredient, move to the burn test area.

100% Polyester

If you have decided to make burn test, there should be three characteristics to observe: Flame, Ash and Odor.

Fiber	Flame	Ash	Odor
Nylon	blue base/orange tip burns evenly No smoke/white puff	Round bead grey/brown/black hard	Celery
Wool	Orange sputter out no smoke	Irregular, black crumbles to coarse powder	Burning hair
Cotton/Jute	Orange burns evenly continues to smolder No smoke	Irregular glowing ember, gray/black crumbles to fine powder	Burning paper
Olefin	Blue base/orange tip burns evenly and rapidly no smoke	Round bead, light tan to brown, hard	Paraffin or asphalt
Polyester	Orange sputters sooty black smoke	Round, shiny, black, hard	Sweet fruity