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Burn Testing
A simple way to identify carpet in the field is a burn test. All
you need is a butane lighter. This is not a totally fool proof way
to ID material as you cannot distinguish between types of Nylon
such as N6 and N6.6. Still it is still quite effective.
 NOTE OF CAUTION:
This test poses a fire hazard if not done properly. Only a small
tuft of fiber should be tested separate from the carpet you wish
to ID. Use tweezers or grips to hold the fiber for testing. Do not
use your fingers to hold the fiber when conducting this test.
Disclaimer:
Connecticut Recycling Works does not recommend this test as a standard
and maintains that the only way to safely test carpet fiber is to
use industry standard fiber identification equipment.
The following Article is provided courtesy of www.baneclene.com
and is intended for educational purposes only.
Burn Tests:
Use a butane lighter to melt or ignite an unknown fiber to determine
its type. Never use a match.
The purpose of using a butane lighter is to avoid masking the odor
of the burning fiber since the butane flame is odorless.
Acrylic:
Melts and shrinks from an approaching flame and ignites quickly.
In the flame, burns rapidly with bright, sputtering flame with a
lot of smoke. When withdrawn from the flame, it continues to burn,
melts, and drips. It has an acrid odor and results in a hard, irregular
black bead.
Cellulose:
Cellulosic fibers, such as cotton, burns and the ash crumbles –
as do protein fibers such as wool and silk.
Corterra:
Similar to polyester.
Cotton/Linen:
Cellulosic fibers such as cotton and linen ignite readily with an
approaching flame and scorches. Once in the flame, it burns rapidly
with yellow flame. When pulled out of the flame, it continues to
burn rapidly with a red afterglow upon extinguishing. Smells like
burning paper. Its burned residue is a gray to charcoal colored
light feathery ash, which easily crumbles.
Nylon:
Melts and shrinks from an approaching flame. In the flame, melts
and burns slowly and is smoky. Once out of the flame, burns slowly
and tends to self-extinguish. Burning nylon smells like celery.
Its burned residue is a hard, shiny brown or gray bead.
Polyester:
Melts and shrinks from an approaching flame. In the flame, melts
and burns slowly. When withdrawn from the flame, it burns slowly,
melts and drips. Has a slightly sweet smell. It produces a hard,
shiny black or brown bead.
Polypropylene (Olefin):
Melts and shrinks from an approaching flame. In the flame,
it melts and burns. When withdrawn from the flame, it continues
to burn. It has a candle wax odor and produces a tough, tan bead.
Protein:
Protein fibers, such as wool, burns and the ash crumbles –
as do cellulosic fibers such as cotton.
Rayon:
Scorches and ignites readily with an approaching flame. In the flame,
burns rapidly with a blue flame. When withdrawn from the flame,
continues to burn rapidly with a red afterglow when the flame is
extinguished. Smells like burning paper, leaves a gray to charcoal
color light feathery ash.
Silk:
Curls away from an approaching flame. In the flame, it burns slowly
and sputters. Weighted silk glows red. Out of the flame, it is self-extinguishing
or may burn very slowly and smells like singed hair. Its residue
is round, shiny black beads, easily crushed. Weighted silk has the
skeleton of the original fiber.
Wool:
Chars and curls away from an approaching flame. In the flame, it
burns slowly and unevenly. Once pulled out of the flame it is self-extinguishing.
It smells like burning hair. It has a brittle, irregular black ash.
As with cotton and linen, protein fibers’ ashes readily crumble.
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