How to Identify Fabrics with a Burn Test

In "The Choice of Fabrics", No. 168 (August / September 2013), the author Julianne Bramson explores some common fiber types and explains their characteristics and how to handle them . When choosing apparel fabrics, it is very important to understand the performance of the fabric. But sometimes the fiber content is a mystery. There are several ways to test the fabric, but one of our favorite ways is to try it.

This Threads Essential Techniques video explains how to bake samples of two common fabrics, silk and polyester. Also, I created a simple chart that shows how to read ash from 10 common fiber burns. Next time you encounter an unfamiliar fabric, armed yourself with these two tools.

Method / Materials The flammability of four different fabrics was tested. My independent variable is the amount of laundry of the fabric, the dependent variable is the duration of burn. I cleaned all the cloths without softening agent, tested and recorded the data, and examined the time it takes to burn the entire cloth. Then I washed the cloth with liquid cloth softener once and then it washed it five times. I tested and recorded both. Three tests are required for each type of fabric. Finally, use the formula R = 60 cm ^ 2 / sec to calculate the burn rate of each fabric.

Conclusion / Discussion My results support my hypothesis that the use of liquid fabric softeners increases the flammability of the dough and that increase is cumulative. It was surprising that all the fabrics tested were flammable after 1 and 5 washes but the flame retardant children's pajamas raised the fastest rate after multiple washings with fabric softener Was that.

Goal / Purpose The purpose of my experiment was to determine whether the use of liquid fabric softeners increases the flammability of the fabric, and whether the degree of flammability increases during repeated use. I think that cloth washed with softener will burn faster than cloth not treated with softener. Method / Materials The flammability of four different fabrics was tested. My independent variable is the amount of laundry of the fabric, the dependent variable is the duration of burn. I cleaned all the cloths without softening agent, tested and recorded the data, and examined the time it takes to burn the entire cloth. Then I washed the cloth with liquid cloth softener once and then it washed it five times. I tested and recorded both. Three tests are required for each type of fabric. Finally, use the formula R = 60 cm ^ 2 / sec to calculate the burn rate of each fabric.