-Take a small tuft of fibers (held in tweezers) and place close to the side of a small flame.

- Note if the fibers melt of a small flame. Note if the fibers melt or shrink from the flame.

- Move the fibers into the flame. Note whether the fibers will burn when held in the flame.

- Remove from the flame very slowly and carefully.

- Note whether the fibers will continue to burn outside of the flame.

- Make sure that the fibers was ignited before making this latter observation.

- Blow out the flame, if still burning, and smell the smoke.

- Note the odor and examine the color and nature of any ash residue.

- Compare to the behavior observed with that listed in Table 2.1 and that of
known reference fiber.

Flame retardant modification of some fibers cotton, rayon, acetate, and

modacrylic, for example- are available. Burning is retarded ; odor or burning and ash
may be changed. Colored fibers especially those colors by pigments will retain
color in the colored residue. Odors of some burning fibers are quite characteristics.
The animal fibers and manmade protein fibers have the odor of burning hair or
feathers. The vegetable fibers and regenerated cellulose (rayon) smells like burning
paper. The smell of burning rubber is a familiar odor. Other manmade fibers such
as acrylic, nylon and spandex have characteristics odor which can be recognized
with experience.