Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

name         Gracie
status       student
age          15

Question -   What happens when burning cloth such as clothing...and what factors will 
make it burn fast or slow?
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Gracie.

When fabrics burn, the materials that make them up are converted into gases and solids. 
The gases almost always smell bad -- and, they are sometimes even toxic. The solids are
 the ashes that remain behind and the particles of smoke that may accompany the burning 
 process. Also, many kinds of synthetic fibers melt as they burn. The melted material 
 can stick to skin and cause terrible burns and scarring to the victim whose clothes may 
 be afire.

How fast cloth burns depends on what it is made of, how much air is available during 
burning, and how hot the fire is while it is burning. Some fabrics are treated with 
materials that are intended to make them fire-resistant. However, these materials 
will not work with every kind of cloth.

Regards,
ProfHoff 770
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Fiber content can be determined by carefully doing a test burn of a small 
quantity, noting the results and comparing to the following 
information.  Blended fibers can thoroughly confound the burn test, 
particularly if the various fibers were spun together rather than plied 
together.

This information was taken from The Weaver's Companion, Interweave Press, 
2001.

Wool: Burns slowly in an open flame, and self-extinguishes when removed 
from the flame.  Has a characteristic 'burning hair' odor and produces an 
irregular dark ash.

Silk: Burns slowly in an open flame, and self-extinguishes when removed 
from the flame.  Has a characteristic 'burning hair' odor and produces a 
crushable black ash.

Linen: Burns quickly in an open flame, and continues to glow when removed 
from the flame.  Smells like burning grass and produces a gray, 
feathery-smooth edge.

Cotton: Burns quickly in an open flame, and continues to glow when removed 
from the flame.  Smells like burning paper and produces a gray, 
feathery-smooth edge.

Rayon: Burns quickly in an open flame, and continues to glow when removed 
from the flame.  Smells like burning paper and produces a gray, 
feathery-smooth edge.

Acetate: Burns and melts in an open flame, and continues to burn and melt 
when removed from the flame.  Produces a brittle, hard, black bead.

Acrylics: Burn and melt at a low temperature, give off toxic fumes, and 
melted residue is very hot.  Produce a brittle, hard, black bead.

Modacrylics: Burn very slowly and melt in an open flame, and 
self-extinguish when removed from the flame.  Produce a brittle, hard, 
black bead.

Nylon: Burns slowly and melts in an open flame, and self-extinguishes when 
removed from the flame.  Produces a hard, gray bead.

Olefin: Burns and melts in an open flame, continues to burn and melt 
briefly when removed from the flame, and then self-extinguishes.  Produces 
a hard, tan bead.

Polyester: Burns slowly and melts in an open flame, and self-extinguishes 
when removed from the flame.  Produces a hard, black bead.

I hope that this helps answer your question.  I am unable to explain the 
physics or chemistry involved.
 
Korah Erbacher
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