To ensure the high quality and value of cashmere, the fibers need to be measured in terms of scale density and thickness, pigmentation, diameter and other characteristics.
SGS has the experience and expertise to conduct the two commercially viable methods of cashmere microscope testing and measurement currently available: scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope.
Cashmere identification using optical microscope method
Compared to SEM, the primary advantage of the optical cashmere microscopic test is that the operative can see the internal structure (or pigments) of the fiber. These features can help to differentiate the cashmere from any lower value substitute fibers (e.g. wool, yak) that a third party may have introduced at some point along the processing chain.
The optical method relies on operatives identifying magnified fibers from their scale structure and other features. We follow the relevant methodologies set out by:
- American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM-D629: Standard Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles)
- American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC-20A: Fiber Analysis: Quantitative)
- International standard (ISO 17751: Quantitative analysis of animal fibers by microscopy - cashmere, wool, speciality fibers and their blends)
Consistent, accurate measurements
Given that there are overlaps in the characteristics of cashmere and other wool fibers, using an optical microscope to measure such materials is a somewhat subjective process. To maintain consistency and accuracy in our cashmere microscopic analysis, we only use industry-accepted methods and provide our operatives with standardized training, based on our traceable animal fibers library.
We have also centralized the operation of our speciality animal fibers testing services in the UK. Approved by the Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI), this facility is constantly involved in the development of:
- Standardized technical procedures
- Traceable electronic and physical fiber samples
- Computerized training for fiber identification
- Processes for the continuous monitoring of operatives
Get in touch with SGS now to find out how our fiber testing by optical microscope test can help maintain the high quality and value of your fiber shipments.