Science Olympiad: Forensics: Fibers

Spandex

Synthetic

Stretchy

Melts quickly

Flattened, and clustered; ridged fibers.

Nylon

Synthetic

Shrinks/Curls and melts

Ignites only when IN flame and leads black residue smelling like burning plastic. Can also drip.

Fine, round, smooth and translucent.

Polyester

Synthetic

Melts, and only ignites when IN flame.

Can drip when burnt and melds with drip-surface

Leaves behind sweet-odored, hard ash.

Linen

Vegetable (flax plant), made of betaglucose

Produces sparks and smells like burning grass. No smoke

Smooth, bamboo-like structure.

Silk

Animal

Shrivels with black residue. Smells like burning hair.

Thin, long and smooth cylinder.

Cotton

Vegetable, made of betaglucose

Moisture absorbent, short fibers, doesn't retain shape

Smells like burning paper and flame can be blown out like w/ a match. Leaves behind charred, whitish ash. Burns with a steady rate and bright flame at end of fiber.

Irregularly twisted ribbon.

Wool

Animal

Shrivels w/ a black residue, smells like burning hair. Burns with steady rate and bright flame at end of fiber.

Cylinder with scales.