Fiber Composition

Fiber composition analysis is the determination of which fibers and in what proportions a textile product consists. In blended fibers, one of the components is selectively dissolved with a suitable solvent, the remaining fiber is weighed and the ratio is calculated by mass. Visually indistinguishable fibers (such as cotton–viscose, wool–cashmere) are also identified by microscopic examination.

The aim is to verify whether the fiber content declared on the label reflects reality. Fiber nomenclature and labeling is mandated in the European Union (EU) by Regulation 1007/2011; Misrepresentation is a direct cause of non-compliance in market surveillance.

• Woven and knitted fabrics
• Ready-to-wear garments
• Ev tekstili (nevresim, havlu, perde)
• Yarn and fiber
• Technical textiles

• TS EN ISO 1833-1 (genel ilkeler)
• TS EN ISO 1833-2 … -27 (binary and ternary mixtures)
• TS EN ISO 17751-1/-2 (cashmere, yak, camel hair — microscopy)
• TS EN ISO 5088 (ternary mixtures)
• AATCC 20 / 20A

Pre-treatment

Non-fiber substances such as oil, finishing and size are removed from the sample.

Conditioning

In standard atmosphere (20 °C ± 2, 65 ± 4% relative humidity) according to ISO 139

Account basis

The result is given as a percentage by mass, applying the agreed moisture content

• Analytical balance (0.0001 g)
• Oven and desiccator
• Glass crucible and vacuum filtration device
• Water bath and shaker
• Light microscope; scanning electron microscope if necessary

• Separate samples for each color and each fabric structure
• Approximately 1 g of clean fiber is required for chemical separation
• Lining, sewing thread and trimming are evaluated separately
• Printed areas and the ground should be sampled separately.

The time depends on how many components the mixture has: binary mixtures result in a single separation step, ternary and quaternary mixtures require sequential separations. Evaluation takes longer for animal fiber blends that require microscopic identification.

1. 1The sample is identified and non-fiber materials are removed.
2. 2It is conditioned in a standard atmosphere and its dry mass is determined.
3. 3One of the components in the mixture is selectively dissolved with the appropriate solvent.
4. 4The residue is washed, dried and weighed.
5. 5The mass loss of insoluble fiber is calculated by applying the correction coefficient.
6. 6In ternary mixtures, the second separation step is applied.
7. 7The result is reported as a percentage by mass, with the agreed moisture content.

The acceptance criterion is the difference between the label declaration and the measured ratio. (EU) 1007/2011 allows a small tolerance in certain circumstances; There are also separate provisions for foreign fibers not exceeding 5% by mass of the product. Whether the tolerance applies to your product depends on the declaration form.

The result is compared with the label declaration. When a deviation is found, it is first questioned whether the sampling is representative of the product: lining, sewing thread and trim are declared separately from the main fabric, and when mixed, the wrong result is produced.

• Sample description, color and fabric structure
• Applied ISO 1833 part and solver system
• Result in percent by mass for each component
• Applied moisture content and correction coefficients
• Comparison with label declaration

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 on Textile Fiber Names and Labeling

The section below describes the field that the Fiber Composition test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

• GSM
• Tear
• Bursting
• Pilling
• Dimensional Stability
• Shrinkage
• Water Resistance
• Air Permeability
• Tensile
• Abrasion
• Formaldehyde
• Azo Dyes