title: Is it a modacrylic fibre?
abstract: This study describes the characteristics of modacrylic fibres and includes over 80 samples (previous and current) representing 15 trade names. Fibre morphology was examined using brightfield microscopy. Signs of elongation were determined using polarised light microscopy. Fibre cross sections were also examined. The generic class of fibre was divided into sub groups using polymer composition as determined by FTIR-microscopy. Microscopically, some modacrylic fibres cannot be distinguished from acrylic fibres. Others display unusual optical and morphological features which are a strong indication of their generic class. The infrared spectra provide information about the co-monomer, termonomers added to produced dye sites, the presence of solvent residue, dyes, and additives, e.g. flame retardant material. The infrared spectra should always be recorded before and after any thin layer chromatographic examination of the dye, otherwise peaks attributable to dyes, which may be a valuable comparative feature in casework will be lost.
authors.affiliation: KT 33 Forensic Science Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Grieve
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000181:Acrylonitrile / Q000032:analysis*; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis; D013784:Textiles / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D000181:Acrylonitrile