ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 8

A New Method for Fiber Comparison Using Polarized Infrared Microspectroscopy*
Gatewood, BM
Kansas State University, KS

Wetzel, DL
Ph.D. student and professor, Kansas State University, Microbeam Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory, KS

Reffner, JA
Spectra-Tech Inc., CT

Cho, L

(Received 19 November 1997; accepted 6 July 1998)

Abstract

Polarized infrared (IR) microspectrometry was used to measure the changes in infrared absorption resulting from the molecular orientation of single textile fibers. Dichroic ratios were determined from single experimental fibers subjected to incremental elongation from an unstretched to a stretched condition. Similar measurements were made on commercial fibers of the same polymer with known draw ratios. These infrared spectroscopic measurements provided a direct means for comparing fibers drawn under production conditions with single fibers stretched in controlled experiments. The dichroic ratio data are indicative of the molecular orientation that occurs when fibers are drawn in the manufacturing process. Dichroic ratio data of commercial fibers can be used to monitor textile fiber quality and to compare fiber evidence in forensic investigations.

Keywords:
forensic science criminalistics, fiber, polyester, infrared microscopy, polarized infrared spectroscopy, dichroism, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, textile, single-fiber analysis

Paper ID: JFS14452J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14452J
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