CCT Carpet Fiber Identification & Construction 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which fiber type is most susceptible to damage from alkaline cleaning solutions?
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Wool and silk (Correct answer)
- Polypropylene
Correct answer: Wool and silk
Wool and silk are protein fibers that can be damaged, yellowed, or degraded by high-pH (alkaline) cleaning agents.
Question 2: A 'level loop' carpet construction means:
- All loops are cut at the same height
- All loops are uncut and at the same height (Correct answer)
- Loops alternate between two different heights
- The carpet has both cut and uncut loops
Correct answer: All loops are uncut and at the same height
Level loop (also called Berber loop) carpet has all uncut loops at a uniform height, creating a smooth, durable surface.
Question 3: What is 'face weight' in carpet specifications?
- The total weight of the carpet including backing
- The weight of fiber per square yard in the pile only (Correct answer)
- The load-bearing capacity of the carpet backing
- The weight of the primary backing material
Correct answer: The weight of fiber per square yard in the pile only
Face weight measures only the pile fibers in ounces per square yard, excluding the backing, and is a key indicator of carpet density and durability.
Question 4: Which identification method is used to distinguish polyester from nylon in carpet fiber?
- Water absorption test — polyester absorbs water, nylon repels it
- Burn test — polyester smells like sweet burning plastic while nylon smells like celery (Correct answer)
- Acid test — nylon dissolves in acid while polyester is resistant
- UV test — polyester glows bright white while nylon does not fluoresce
Correct answer: Burn test — polyester smells like sweet burning plastic while nylon smells like celery
In the burn test, polyester produces a sweet, sometimes fruity burning plastic odor, while nylon produces a celery or chemical smell.
Question 5: What does 'tufting' refer to in carpet manufacturing?
- Weaving yarns over and under warp threads
- Inserting yarn through a primary backing with needles (Correct answer)
- Bonding fiber to a substrate with adhesive
- Felting fibers together with heat and pressure
Correct answer: Inserting yarn through a primary backing with needles
Tufting is the most common carpet manufacturing method, where needles insert yarn loops through a primary backing fabric at high speed.
Question 6: Which carpet fiber has the lowest moisture absorption rate, making it most resistant to mold and mildew?
- Wool
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Polypropylene (olefin) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Polypropylene (olefin)
Polypropylene is hydrophobic (repels water) and absorbs virtually no moisture, making it highly resistant to mold, mildew, and microbial growth.
Question 7: The 'twist level' of carpet yarn primarily affects which carpet property?
- Colorfastness and dye uptake
- Resilience, appearance retention, and texture durability (Correct answer)
- Moisture absorption and drying speed
- Static electricity generation
Correct answer: Resilience, appearance retention, and texture durability
Higher twist levels help yarn fibers spring back after compression, improving a carpet's ability to retain its texture and resist matting over time.
CCT Carpet Fiber Identification & Construction 3
Which fiber type is most susceptible to damage from alkaline cleaning solutions?