BURNING CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS FIBERS

FIBER APPROACHING IN THE FLAME AWAY FROM ODOUR RESIDUE INFERENCE

FLAME FLAME

CELLULOSIC FIBERS
(All cellulosic fibers and regenerated cellulosic fibers e.g. cotton, rayon, linen, jute etc. will burn like paper and will show burning characteristics similar
to cotton)
Cotton Does not shrink away, Burns quickly Continues burning Smell of burning Light, fluffy, gray
ignites on contact with an after-glow paper in colour, easy to
crush Indicates presence
Rayon Does not shrink away Burns quickly Continues burning Smell of burning Light feathery of cellulosic fibers
with an after glow paper residue in a very
small amount
PROTEIN FIBERS

Silk Curls away from the Burns slowly and Self-extinguishing Smell of burning Black bead like
flame sputters hair residue, crisp and
crushable Indicates presence
of protein fiber, may
Wool Curls away from the Burns slowly Self-extinguishing Smell of burning Black bead like be silk or wool
flame hair residue, crisp and
crushable
SYNTHETIC FIBERS

Polyester Fuses, melts and shrinks Burns slowly and Self-extinguishing Smell of chemicals Hard, tough
away from the flame melts black/brown bead

Acrylic Fuses, melts and shrinks Burns rapidly and Continues to burn Acidic odour Hard, black, regular
away from the flame sputters and melt. Hot bead, crushable Indicates presence
molten drops fall of synthetic fiber
while burning.
Nylon Fuses, melts and shrinks Burns slowly and Self-extinguishing Synthetic odour Hard, tough
away from the flame melts black/brown bead