INT323 Blog #5 - Katie Rozeboom

Fiber Identification by Burning

Natural fibers like cotton, flax, wool, and silk burn but do not melt. Cotton and flax emit a smell similar to burning paper or wood, leaving fine gray ash. Wool and silk smell like burning hair or feathers, with wool's odor being stronger. Both wool and silk leave behind a black hollow bead that can be crushed into powder. Artificial fibers show more variation. Rayon behaves like cotton and flax, burning without melting and producing fine gray ash. Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and acetate shrink from heat and melt, often emitting chemical or distinctive odors. Polyester and nylon leave hard, uncrushable beads, while acrylic and acetate produce beads that can be partially crushed.

Cotton (video 3)

"The Story of Cotton" explains the journey of cotton from plant to fabric. It starts with cotton farming, where seeds are planted, and the crop is grown in warm climates. Once the cotton bolls are harvested, the fibers are separated from the seeds through a process called ginning. The fibers are then spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric. It also highlights the importance of cotton in global industries, including textiles and clothing, and discusses its environmental impact and efforts to promote sustainable cotton farming practices.