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Tape Lift

Definition

Adhesive tape pressed onto a substrate to recover fibres, hairs and other particulates. The standard collection method for fibres on clothing, upholstery and bedding.

Related terms

Birefringence
The difference between the highest and lowest refractive indices of an anisotropic mineral, seen as a characteristic interference colour between crossed polars....
Cross-Section Shape
The geometry of a fibre when sliced perpendicular to its length. Round (nylon), trilobal (some carpet polyesters), dogbone (acrylic), kidney-bean (cotton lumen),...
Microspectrophotometry (MSP)
Visible-range spectrophotometry conducted through a microscope, generating an absorbance curve that fingerprints the dye on a single fibre without destroying it.
Pyrolysis GC-MS
Heating a tiny polymer sample (about 1 microgram) to roughly 600 to 800 degrees Celsius in an inert atmosphere, separating the volatile...
Yarn Twist
The number of turns per unit length and the direction of twist in a yarn. S-twist and Z-twist are the two standard...

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