National Textile University

B.Sc. Textile Engineering

Practical Lab Report / Fall-2018

Course Code: TE-3112

Course Title: Fiber science

Practical No. 8
Identification of polyester and nylon fibers by chemical
Title of Practical analysis

Student Name Ameer Aman Ullah

Registration No. 17-NTU-0028

Semester/Group 3rd/1

Date of Lab Report Submission 11/12/2018

Submitted To Dr. Abdul Jabbar

Contents
1 Title..........................................................................................................................................3
2 Abstract....................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Chemical Properties..........................................................................................................3
3 Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
4 Procedure..................................................................................................................................4
5 Result........................................................................................................................................4
6 Discussion................................................................................................................................5
7 Conclusion................................................................................................................................5
1 Title
Identification of Polyester and Nylon fiber by chemical analysis

2 Abstract
The solubility of a fiber in a particular chemical agent is a means of identification. The fiber can
be placed in a chemical at a particular temperature and the solubility will confirm the type of
fiber.
Fiber Name – Chemical Name
1. Cotton – 75% Sulphuric Acid
2. Wool&Silk – 5% Sodium Hydrochlorite,5% NaOH at boil
3. Viscose – 60% Sulphuric Acid
4. Acetate – Glacial Acetic acid
5. Triacetate – Acetone
6. Nylon – Hydrochloric acid or formic
7. Polyester – Meta cresol or Chloro Phenol
8. Acrylic – Di-Methyl Foramide

Meta cresol or Chloro Phenol

2.1 Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of fibers include the effects of chemical agents including acids, bases,
oxidizing agents, reducing agents, and biological agents such as molds and mildews on the fiber
and light and heat induced chemical changes within the fiber
3 Introduction
Chemical tests are another technical means of identifying fibers. But chemical tests are not
intended for the general consumers. Different types of chemical tests are undertaken to establish
the identity of the fibers used. These tests give accurate and precise analysis. The tests are
conducted in research laboratories.
Identification of Fibers in Textiles were discontinued in 1969 because the responsible
subcommittee failed to recommend adoption as standard after several years’ publication as a
tentative. The subcommittee action was based on the members’ knowledge that the standard did
not include several fiber types introduced to the textile trade after the methods were published,
and that the techniques required to identify these fibers were lacking in the text, so that the text
had become out of date. Reinstatement as a standard using the previously assigned designation
was requested since the listed procedures were reliable and the text was considered to be the best
available, though not all-inclusive. Extensive editorial changes were made in various sections in
1972, and the methods were reinstated as D 276 – 72. The methods have been revised
completely, emphasizing infrared spectroscopic techniques for identifying man-made fiber types.
Methods for determining several physical properties and solubility data useful for confirming
infrared spectral identifications have been included. The longitudinal and cross-section
photographs of the various fibers have been omitted since they are published elsewhere and the
usefulness for identification is limited. Extensive editorial changes have been made throughout
the text. AATCC Test Method 20 was first published in 1947 and has been revised or reaffirmed
on a regular basis since that time. The most current version is AATCC “Test Method 20–1999

4 Procedure
1. First of all, we took polyester and nylon fiber
2. Then we took formic acid and also took m-crosal
3. We put the formic acid in glass beaker
4. First, we put nylon in formic acid and dissolve in.
5. Then I put the polyester in Mata-cresol and dissolved it

5 Result
The result of nylon and polyester and nylon is this.
The polyester is not dissolving in formic acid and also not dissolve at room temperature so
polyester is dissolving in Mata-cresol and also required the boil temperature and polyester is
dissolved in.
Nylon dissolved in formic acid at room temperature.
6 Discussion
We discussed about polyester and nylon identification by chemical analysis. Nylon is dissolved
Hydrochloric acid or formic. Polyester is dissolved in Meta cresol or Chloro Phenol

7 Conclusion
Finally, we conclude and identify the polyester and nylon. The polyester is dissolved in meta
crosal at boil temperature and nylon boil in formic acid at room temperature.