While the easiest method of identifying carpet fiber type is to simply look on the back stamp (found on the under side of each carpet installation), removing installed carpet is not always the easiest option. Carpet inspectors are well-versed in the various fiber identification techniques, but the consumer may be unfamiliar with these techniques.
There are generally two methods of identifying carpet fiber types- a burn test evaluation and chemical testing. The third method, feel, is reserved for old carpet pros, who can generally rub their hand across the pile and identify the fiber type.
The chemical test is by far the most reliable, but most consumers may not have access to the various chemicals necessary to perform this test. Each fiber can be dissolved in a particular chemical. Briefly, the following should be noted.
Nylon - dissolves in formic acid. A few drops of formic acid on nylon fiber will begin to dissolve the fiber in 20 to 60 seconds. A rule of thumb would be that type 6,6 nylon takes longer to dissolve than type 6 nylon.
Wool - Dissolves in Chlorox in about 5 minutes. If wool has been blended with other fibers, these fibers will remain undissolved.
Acetate - Dissolves in acetone. Note some cleaning compounds may use acetone as a dry solvent, so if you are cleaning furniture, this is a mandatory test, since many furniture fabrics may use acetate.
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.
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.
Fiber Burn Testing
In using the burn test there are three basic characteristics which must be observed; Flame, Ash, and Odor
Fiber
Flame
Ash
Odor
Nylon
blue base/orange tip
burns evenly
No smoke/white puff
Round bead
gray/brown/black
hard
Celery
Wool
orange
sputters 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
Rayon
Orange
rapid burning flame
No ash, no bead
Burning paper
Click on the links
below to learn more about carpet.
We'll be more than
happy to include your flooring related company in our directory at no
charge. First Place our link below on your website, then complete the
add your link form. Once we confirm the location of our link, we
will add your link to our Partners Section
Need content? You may use any article in this site at your website, or in your newsletter. The only requirement is inclusion of the following sentence and link:
"Article by Michael Hilton of carpetbuyershandbook.com - the Largest Online Source for Unbiased Carpet Information (http://carpetbuyershandbook.com)" .
- Carpets of Dalton- Shop the
finest selection of
carpet,
wood,
rugs, and
tile at
Carpets of Dalton, the nations #1 place for floorcovering.
Unbeatable selection and prices on name brand, top quality floorcovering.
Call or e-mail for samples, prices, and unbeatable deals. Visit our
Carpets
of Dalton page on the Carpet
Buyers Handbook
