Filtration Fabrics, Fiber Identification Burn Test
Most fabrics can be identified in the field by conducting a very simple burn test. A small piece of fabric, approximately one-quarter inch wide by two inches long (1/4" X 2"), taken from a cuff, will be sufficient for the test. To identify the fabric, just ignite one end and let the test piece burn back for a distance of about one inch (1"), then compare the characteristics to the fiber characteristics below.
Fabric	Burning Characteristics	Odor	Ash
Cotton	Bums with a flame. Has an afterglow.	Burning paper	Black and powdery
Polyester'	Melts and bums with a sputtering flame. Gives off thick black smoke	Faintly sweet, slight geranium odor	Hard, black, round and shiny
Polypropylene	Melts and bums with steady flame. Clear flame, no smoke. Looks like melting glass. Melted portion is clear.	Very little odor. Slight celery, odor	Hard, turns opaque
Nylon	Melts and bums with sputtering flame. Gives off white smoke	Burning garbage	Hard, round, gray or brown, shiny
Nomex@	Very slow to ignite. Will not support combustion. No melting. Material chars and curls up	Faintly sweet	Black, dull finish crushes into black powder
Acrylic	Melts and bums rapidly. Sputtering flame. Mick black smoke	Faintly sweet, slight "hot iron" odor	Resembles burned head of wooden match; crunibles into black or brownish orange powder