The different burning characteristics of cellulosic, protein, and manufactured fibers are often used as an initial step in fiber identification for beginning textile students. Microscopic examination can usually identify different cellulosic fibers. However, solubility tests must be used to classify manufactured fibers. Top of Page 9. Fabric construction greatly alters burning.
Fibers burn differently when they are in a cloth structure.
The more oxygen that is available between the fibers, the more rapid the burning. Open structures that provide a lot of access to oxygen burn quickly. Heavy fabrics that are closely woven, such as denim twills, burn more slowly, but because of the quantity of material, they burn longer. Top of Page 10. A garment made with lots of extra fabric floating around is more likely to catch fire.