Burn tests for cotton and cotton-polyester fabric
How do you know if a fabric is all cotton-the the preferred fabric to make masks right now? My favorite way is to do a burn test. I did a quick video and even fooled myself by grabbing the wrong fabric swatch and discovered it had polyester. This activity is fun and one I did a lot in college as a grad assistant for the textiles program and with my own high school students.
Cotton is a cellulose fiber. It burns and may flare up when lit. No melted bead is left by it. After burning, it continues to glow. It gives out a smell like that of a burning paper. The smoke is gray or white. The ash is fine and soft and can be easily crumbled.
Polyester Is a polymer produced from coal, air, water, and petroleum products. It burns quickly and shrinks away from flame, may also flare-up. It leaves hard, dark, and round beads. After the flame, it burns slowly and is not always self-extinguishing. It has a slightly sweet chemical odor. It leaves no ash but its black smoke and fume are hazardous.
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14 авг 2024