Fabric Burn Test, Identifying Fabric Content

Have you ever been unsure of the content of that great piece of vintage fabric you picked up at a rummage or yard sale? Or you've had your fabric for so long you can't remember what you bought it for let alone whether it's cotton or not. Here's an excellent burn test resource www.fabriclink.com/University/BurnTest.
Below are burn test results. Please go to the link above for complete info on how to do a burn test.

The following information is from fabriclink.com

• Cotton: Burns, but does not melt. It has the odor of burning paper,leaves, or wood. The residue is a fine, feathery, gray ash.
• Hemp: Same as cotton
• Linen: Same as cotton
• Ramie : Same as cotton
• Rayon : Same as cotton
• Silk: Burns, but does not melt. It shrinks from the flame. It has the odor of charred meat. The residue is a black, hollow irregular bead that can be easily to a gritty black powder. It is self-extinguishing, i.e., it burns itself out.
• Wool, and other Protein Fibers: Burns, but does not melt. It shrinks from the flame. It has a strong odor of burning hair. The residue is a black, hollow irregular bead that can be easily crushed into a gritty black powder. It is self-extinguishing, i.e., it burns itself out.


Most manufactured fibers both burn and melt, they also tend to shrink away from the flame. Other identifying characteristics:
• Acetate: Has an odor similar to burning paper and vinegar. It´s residue is a hard, dark, solid bead.
• Acrylic: Has a fishy odor. The residue is a hard irregularly-shaped bead. It also gives off a black smoke when burned
• Nylon: Has an odor likened to celery. It´s residue is initially a hard, cream-colored bead that becomes darker.
• Olefin/Polyolefin: Has a chemical type odor. The residue id a hard, tan-colored bead. The flames creates black smoke.
• Polyester: Has a somewhat sweet chemical odor. The residue is initially a hard cream-colored bead that becomes darker. Flames gives off black smoke.
• Spandex: It burns and melts, but does not shrink from the flame. It has a chemical type odor. Its residue is a soft black ash

Don't forget to Visit our February Pattern Link Party!