Carpet Fibers and Yarn:
Microscopic Examination:
The shape is seen as either round, or a figure "8" (appearing as two joined lengthwise rods) with a smooth surface.
Burn Test:
White orange sputters and black smoke. Has a harsh, acrid charred meat odor. The ash is black, irregular and like a hard crust that can be crushed.
Chemical Test:
Dissolves in Dimethylformamide at 212F or less. Some polyesters will also dissolve in this chemical but at 370 F (boiling point).
Nylon (polyamide):
Nylon is a petrochemical-based fiber. There are two basic types of nylon: type 6,6 nylon and type 6 nylon. Nylon is produced in bulked continuus filament for use in loop carpets and cut pile carpet, and staple nylon which is spun into yarn for use in cut pile carpets. Nylon is the dominant fiber choice for commercial carpet construction due to its wear characteristics. Nylon is a lightweight fiber with excellent strength and abrasion. It is only about 10% weaker when wet. Nylon was invented in 1938 by Dupont.
Nylon Type 6:
Made from one base ingredient: Amino Caproic Acid, or Caprolactam, derivativ of Benzene. Compared to type 6, 6 nylon, type 6 nylon accepts dye at a faster rate and dyes more deeply. In carpet dyeing, processing temperature is critical and levelers are often necessary for type 6 nylon carpet fiber. The more open molecular structure of type 6 nylon allows dye stuffs (and stains) in. The principle differnece between 6, 6 nylon and 6 nylon is the lower melting point of nylon 6.
Nylon-Type 6,6:
Made with two base chemical ingredients. adipic acid, a derivative of Benzene, and hexamethylene diamine, a derivative of either butadiene or propylene. Dupont is the major manufacturer of type 6, 6 nylon. Type 6,6 nylon has a tighter molecular structure making it harder, more resilient and more resistant to stains. In the U.S., where the highest commercial carpet standards are set, over 60% of all carpets installed are type 6,6 nylon.
Advantages:
a. Excellent strength and abrasion resistance
b. Good resilience
c. Dyes easily so the color ranges are extensive
d. Good soil resistance and cleanability
e. Economical
Disadvantages:
a. High static generation
b. May discolor from ozone, sunlight and oxidants
c. Easily stained (4-1/2% moisture regain)
d. Damage by strong acids
e. Poor resistance to prolonged and continuous exposure to sunlight
Olefin (Polypropylene):
A manufactured fiber in which the fi ber forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene or other olefin units, except amorphous (noncrystalline) poly-olefins qualifying as a rubber fiber. Olefin is made from the by-product of gasoline refining, and has one ingredient, propylene. The first commercial olefin production in the United States, of a textile grade multifilament form, was in 1961.
Advantages:
a. Lightweight fiber
b. Good bulk and cover
c. Available in both staple and BCF
d. Good color retention due to solution dyeing
e. Acid resistant
f. Low static generation
h. Good abrasion resistance but lower than nylon
i. Good stain resistance (less than 0.1% moisture regain)
j. Less expensive than nylon
Disadvantages:
a. Olefin has poor resilience
b. Fiber has a low softening point from heat
c. Poor dyeability outside of solution dyed
d. Susceptible to oil-based stains.
Microscopic Examination:
When olefin is view under a microscope the fiber has a rod-like shape with a smooth surface.
Burn Test:
Burns evenly with a blue base and orange tip with no smoke. Has the odor of asphalt or burning parraffin, and the ash is hard, rounded and beadlike in light gray to brown.
Chemical Test:
Floats in water.
Wool:
Fiber shorn from live sheep is referred to as fleece wool or clipped wool. Wool that is removed from dead sheep is referred to as pulled wool. Pulled wool is a lower grade than the fleece or clipped wool. Wool is primarily composed of protein (similar to human hair). It is a medium-weight fiber that is naturally cream, brown or black in color. Wool for carpet is imported from foreign countries, primarily New Zealand, Australia and England. Wool is considered to be the oldest and finest carpet fiber. The use of wool in carpet dates back to over 2000 B.C.
Advantages:
a. Rich feel and appearance
b. Good resilience when dry (poor when wet)
c. Easily dyed
d. Very good soil hiding and cleaning properties
e. Little problem with static
f. Resistant to acids
g. Naturally falm resistant
Disadvantages:
a. Abrasion resistance is only fair
b. Easily stained
c. Attacked by moths but can be moth proofed
d. Will pill
e. Weakened by alkalis
f. Expensive. Most domestic wool is not suitable for quality carpet
g. Berbers and very dense wool construction will provide the best performance with this fiber.
Miscroscopic Examination:
Wool fibers are seen as round shape with a scaly surface. Wool is coarse and often has a hollow core referred to as a medulla. The medulla will appear black or undyed down the center of a dyed fiber.
Burn Test:
Orange flame, sputters, no smoke. Has the odor of burning hair, the ash is black, irregular shape, and crumbles easily to a fine powder.
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