Mickey's Sales & Service
 

Carpet Fiber Identification

The only proper method of carpet fiber identification is the tried and true approach, often overlooked, but never forgotten.

The following chart will guide you through and help you sort out a few areas of confusion.

The Burn Chart

Fiber

Action

Color

Special Note

Odor

Wool

Burns

Orange

Self extinguishes

Hair

Silk

Burns

Orange

Self extinguishes

Feathers

Nylon

Melts

Blue/Orange

 

Celery

Olefin

Melts

Blue/Orange

 

Asphalt/ Tar

Polyester

Melts

Orange

Dense Black Smoke

Sweet/ Fruity

Acrylic

Melts

Orange

 

Harsh/Acrid

 

Fiber Characteristics Chart

Fiber

Type

Ad/Ab

pH **

Dissolves in

 

 

 

 

 

Wool

Natural

Absorbent

5.0 - 5.8

Chlorine Bleach

Silk

Natural

Absorbent

5.0 - 5.8

Chlorine Bleach

Nylon

Synthetic

Absorbent

1.5 - 13

Hydrochloric Acid

Stain Resistant Nylon

Synthetic

Absorbent*

Under 10

Hydrochloric Acid

Olefin

Synthetic

Adsorbent

1.5 - 13

 

Polyester

Synthetic

Adsorbent

Under 10

 

Acrylic

Synthetic

Adsorbent

Under 10

 

* May act like an adsorbent fiber
** Always pre-test all products prior to using

Carpet Fiber Statistics

Fiber

Ease Of Removal

% Of Today's Manufactured

Wool

Good

1%

Nylon (Regular)

Fair

73%

Nylon (Stain Resistant)

Very Good

73%

Polypropylene

Excellent

17%

Polyester

Very Good

9%