Colour measurements on single textile fibres

Abstract The microspectrophotometer is used primarily to discriminate between visually identical fibres on the basis of their visible absorption spectra. However, these spectra can also be used to generate codings to describe the colours of single fibres. This coding is a prerequisite for the collection of data about fibres, colour being the most important feature for distinguishing between fibres of the same generic type. The colours of some polyester, wool and cotton fibres have been measured and the associated errors in coding evaluated. An important feature of the system used is that it allows for the variation in dye uptake from fibre to fibre which is present in typical casework samples.