These test methods are a generally reliable means of identifying the generic types of fibers present in a sample of textile material of unknown composition. The methods are generally not useful for distinguishing fibers of the same generic class from different manufacturers or for distinguishing different fiber types of the same generic class from one producer.
Many fibers are chemically modified by their producers in various ways so as to alter their properties. It is possible for such modifications to interfere seriously with the analyses used in these test methods. Considerable experience and diligence of the analyst may be necessary to resolve satisfactorily these difficulties.
Dyes, lubricants, and delustrants are not present normally in amounts large enough to interfere with the analyses.
These test methods are not recommended for acceptance testing of commercial shipments because of the qualitative nature of the results and because of the limitations previously noted.
Note 28212;For statements on precision and bias of the standard quantitative test methods for determining physical properties for confirmation of fiber identification refer to the cited test method. The precision and bias of the nonstandard quantitative test methods described are strongly influenced by the skill of the operator. The limited use of the test methods for qualitative identification cannot justify the effort that would be necessary to determine the precision and bias of the techniques.
1.1 These test methods cover the identification of the following textile fibers used commercially in the United States:
| Acetate (secondary) | Nylon |
| Acrylic | Nytril |
| Anidex | Olefin |
| Aramid | Polycarbonate |
| Asbestos | Polyester |
| Cotton | Ramie |
| Cuprammonium rayon | Rayon (viscose) |
| Flax | Saran |
| Fluorocarbon | Silk |
| Glass | Spandex |
| Hemp | Triacetate |
| Jute | Vinal |
| Lycocell | Vinyon |
| Modacrylic | Wool |
| Novoloid |
1.2 Man-made fibers are listed in 1.1 under the generic names approved by the Federal Trade Commission and listed in Terminology D123, Annex A1 (except for fluorocarbon and polycarbonate). Many of the generic classes of man-made fibers are produced by several manufacturers and sold under various trademark names as follows (Note 1):
| Acetate | Acele, Aviscon, Celanese, Chromspun, Estron |
| Acrylic | Acrilan, Courtelle, Creslan, Dralon, Orlon, Zefran |
| Anidex | Anim/8 |
| Aramid | Arenka, Conex, Kevlar, Nomex, Twaron |
| Cuprammonium | Bemberg |
| Fluorocarbon | Teflon |
| Glass | Fiberglas, Garan, Modiglass, PPG, Ultrastrand |
| Lyocell | Tencel |
| Modacrylic | Dynel, Kanecaron, Monsanto SEF, Verel |
| Novoloid | Kynol |
| Polyamide | |
| (Nylon) 6 | Caprolan,Enka, Perlon, Zefran, Enkalon |
| Polyamide | |
| (Nylon) 6, 6 | Antron, Blue C, Cantrece, Celanese Phillips, Enka Nylon |
| Polyamide | |
| (Nylon) (other) | Rilsan(nylon 11), Qiana, StanylEnka,(Nylon 4,6) |
| Nytril | Darvan |
| Olefin | Durel, Herculon, Marvess, Polycrest |
| Polyester | Avlin, Beaunit, Blue C, Dacron, Encron, Fortrel, Kodel, Quintess, Spectran, Trevira, Vyoron, Zephran, Diolen, Vectran |