Microscopic appearance of Fibers A microscope with a magnification of minimum 100 power can be used to eas distinguish between different types of fibers. The Foldscope microscope has a magnification power of 140x. If you couple a Foldscope micr scope to a cell phone that has 10x zoom capability, you can magnify objects up to 1400x (140 x 10). Among microscopic tests and chemical tests, microscopic tests are mainly used for identifying natural fiber . This visual test can identify natural fibers more easily than manmade ones. Synthetic fibers are very similar in appearance and the large number of varieties makes it a little tough to distinguish synthetic (manmade) fibers even under a microscope. Chemical treatments are often required to distinguish between manmade fibers. This lesson will describe the appearance of several types of fibers: 1) Natural Fibers a. Plant i. Cotton ii, Linen iii, Hemp iv. Jute vy. Ramie b. Animal i, Wool ii, Silk 2) Antificial (manmade) Fibers a. Rayon b. Cellulose acetate c. Acrylic d. Polyester e. NylonNatural Fibers: Vegetable Fibers 1. Cotton Longitudinal View o Mature flat and ribbon-like with convolutior thick wall and small lumen (channel that runs down the center of the fiber) co Immature very thin wall and a large lumen with few convolutions Cross-Sectional View RAN PGS) © Kidney Shaped © Elliptical co Very thin like a strip © Nearly round or circular 2. LinenLongitudinal View Smooth and Bamboo like with cross marking nodes, no lengthwise striations, narrow lumen Bo2 a) Cross-Sectional View Sharp polygonal shape with straight sides. Immature oval shape with a large lumen. 3. Hemp Longitudinal View Smooth and cylindrical with a cross marking nodes, no lengthwise striations, broad lumen Cross-Sectional View Partly polygonal 4. Jute Longitudinal ViewCylindrical with uneven in diameter, a lumen is broad and varies greatly Cross-Sectional View Rounded polygonal with a central lumen 5. Ramie Longitudinal View Irregular and broad with cross marks irregularly distributed,. Cross-Sectional View Oblong Natural Fibers: Animal Fibers 1. Wool Longitudinal View Cylindrical, irregular, rough surface, scale-like structure, dark medulla may appear on coarse wool fibers Cross-Sectional ViewNearly round or circular, medulla may be v 2. Silk Longitudinal View Smooth surface, Structureless, triangular shaped transparent rod(Wild silk/Tussah silk — broader fiber with fine, longitudinal lines passing across filament) Cross-Sectional View Triangular shape with rounded corners(Tussah silk flat wedge or spindle-shaped Man-made Fibers 1. Viscose RayonLongitudinal View © Normal type fairly dense longitudinal striations or fine lines © Special type-may be smooth and Structure less Cross-Sectional View Irregular with a serrated outline © Oval or round 2. Cellulose Acetate fibers Longitudinal View Uniform in width with a few distinct longitudinal striatCross-Sectional View Irregular with a serrated outline 3. Acrylic Longitudinal View Smooth surface, uniform diameter, rod-like appearance, some types with irregularly spaced striations Cross-Sectional View Rounded or Dumbbell shaped 4. Polyester (Up Longitudinal ViewStructureless, uniform diameter, rod-like appearance Cross-Sectional View Circular 5. Nylon Longitudinal View Structureless, uniform diameter, rod-like appearance Notes 1) Flax, Jute, Hemp and Ramie are all soft woody fibers obtained from the stems or stalks of plants. Their morphology appears very similar under a light microsope. 2) Antificial, manmade fibers all look quite similar. Their morphology reflects the manufacturing process. These are difficult to differentiate visually, melting point measurements and response to chemical treatments are typically used to tell these apart. References 41. https://wmw.textileschool.com/330/microscopic-appearance-of fibre 2. htt .com/originals/68/14/3a/681d3a752e4df0feO6fadb8a0bfdbe80. 3. ty .com/originals/5b/19/8c/Sb198caf402c79abd9Fidb9fcea322cd 4. https://www.intechopen.com/books/advances-in-agrophysical-research/plant-fibres-for-textile- and-technical-applications https://alpinemeadowsguild.org/images/southdown_cross_size.j 2 blanket 7. http://www.microlabgallery.com/gallery/Viscose.aspx 8. https://micro.magnet,fsu.edu/primer/techniques/dic/dicgallery/images/triacetat g