Composition Measurement
Analytical procedures used to determine the exact percentage by weight of each fibre type in a fabric define this testing category. Commercial labs perform quantitative fibre analysis to verify that a garment label accurately matches the physical contents of the material. Successive removal of one component using a chemical solvent while leaving the others intact facilitates this measurement.
Results are reported as a percentage of the dry mass, often corrected for moisture regain and processing losses.
Solvent Selection
Identifying the correct chemical for the specific blend ensures that only the target fibre is removed. Reagents like sulphuric acid, formic acid or dimethylformamide allow for the isolation of natural and synthetic parts. Each combination of fibres requires a different approach to maintain the integrity of the insoluble residue.
Procedural Precision
Weighing the sample at every stage of the process provides the raw data for the final calculation. Drying the specimen in a ventilated oven at 105 degrees Celsius removes all moisture to establish a stable starting point. Small errors in the initial mass measurement propagate through the entire analysis.
Legal Obligation
Apparel brands rely on these reports to comply with global labelling regulations such as the European Union Textile Regulation. Misrepresenting the fibre content leads to fines, product recalls and damage to consumer trust. Independent verification at the mill level confirms that the production batch matches the approved sample.