FAVIMAT : introduction, development and potentials in Kenyan context

Favimat single fibre tester is non-conventional textile testing equipment. Review of several Textile Testing textbooks revealed that neither any information nor mentioning of the equipment was provided even in the most recent publications. As a result, the mainstream force of textile professionals in most countries, including Kenya is not familiar with this potentially valuable equipment. This paper is important as it addresses the existing information gap by introducing the equipment to the broad audience of textile professionals such as: industries, academics, students and researches among others. Training as a competent user on the Favimat operations and testing of single fibres was conducted at Textile Physical testing Laboratory of Vakgroep Textielkunde Universiteit Gent (Ghent University), Belgium. Extensive number of examinations of man-made fibres (450) was also performed (these will be the subject of another publication). In this introductory paper only illustrative examples of the testing experience are provided to harmonize the description of the equipment. Recent developments of the apparatus and its potentials according to holistic view of Kenyan context were also highlighted. The purpose of this research is primarily to introduce or re-introduce this unique equipment to various textile professionals, and as such the research is significant and in general, it should possibly contribute to knowledge, be useful and meaningful to the relevant policy arenas, and be helpful to textile practitioners.