Observations of the Birefringence and Refractive Index of Synthetic Fibers with Special Reference to Their Identification

Abstract

Birefringence and refractive indices of synthetic fibers are measured by the polarization color and immersion methods.

These properties prove to be much more consistent and characteristic for synthetic fibers than for natural fibers and rayons, to which previous studies had mainly been confined. These fea tures can therefore be used in the identification of synthetic fibers.

A simple polarizing device for making these measurments using an ordinary microscope is described.