| |
Nylon |
Polypropylene |
Polyester |
Wool |
| Market |
60% |
30% |
8% |
2% |
| “Hand” |
Good |
Poor |
Very Good |
Excellent |
I.D.
Method
|
Dissolves in formic acid. Burns to a hard black bead; puffs white smoke;
extinguishes |
Floats in water. Burns to a round hard tan bead. |
Dissolves in hot meta-cresol. Burns rapidly to a round hard bead and
gives off a pungent odor. |
Dissolves in chlorine bleach. Burns with a burned-hair odor to a black
crumbly residue. |
| Moisture Absorption |
4.2-4.5% |
0.01% |
0.04-0.08% |
Up to 30% |
| Specific Gravity |
1.14 |
0.90 |
1.23 |
1.32 |
| Resilience |
Excellent |
None |
Fair |
Good |
| Abrasion Resistance |
Excellent |
Very Good |
Good |
Good |
| Effects of Acids, Alkalis, and Solvents |
Resistant to weak acids, but decomposes in strong mineral acids |
Chemically inert |
Resistant to most acids and solvents |
Sensitive to acids and alkalis |
| Dye Methods |
Acid; some solution dyed |
Solution dyed |
Dispersed Dyes |
Various |
| Resistance to Mildew, Aging, Sunlight |
Excellent resistance to mildew and aging. Prolonged sunlight can cause
degradation. |
Good resistance to all three |
Excellent resistance to mildew and aging. Prolonged sunlight can cause
degradation |
Damaged by sunlight, mildew, moths, beetles. Sunlight can cause yellowing. |
| Color Retention |
Very good |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
| Stain Resistance |
Poor (5th generation very good) |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Very Poor |
| Stains/Soils Attracted to Fiber |
Acid dyes, except for 5th generation |
Oil based |
Oil based |
Protein, urine, blood, meat juices |
| Melt Point °F |
Type6-435º F; Type6,6-490º |
320º F |
509º F |
None (ignites) |
| Cigarette Burn Resistance |
None |
None |
None |
Very good |
