Question

44 What happens when the yarns are burnt? Do they shrink away from the flame or melt? What type of odour is given off?

Answer 1

If these cotton yarns are burned, they will not shrink or melt. The odour of burning yarn is similar to that of burning paper.

• The silk yarn shrinks and burns but does not melt when exposed to the flame. It smells like charred meat.
• Wool yarn shrinks and burns as well, but does not melt. It has a strong burning hair odour to it.
• Synthetic yarn shrinks and catches fire. It also melts and emits an odour that is similar to that of burning plastics.