Textile Analysis Service

The Textile Analysis Service is a testing laboratory operated through the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta.  The staff of the Textile Analysis Service perform standardized textile tests and carry out analyses of problems resulting from the use and care of garments and textiles. 

Standardized Textile Testing

The main activity of the Textile Analysis Service is the performance of standardized textile tests for garment and fabric manufacturers, retailers, and government agencies.  Testing can be performed following the textile test methods of:

• CGSB:  Canadian General Standards Board
• ASTM:  American Society for Testing and Materials
• AATCC:  American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
• ISO:  International Standards Organization

Other published textile test methods may also be performed upon request.

Standardized textile tests are used to evaluate various textile properties including:

• fibre and fabric properties:  eg. identification of fiber content or description of fabric structure
• fabric and garment performance:  eg. tensile strength, abrasion resistance, colourfastness, dimensional stability of fabrics
• flame resistance of textiles

Garment Analysis

Staff of the service or a university student majoring in textile science, under the supervision of a faculty member, will analyze and attempt to resolve problems encountered during the use and care of garments and household textiles.

The service is available to drycleaners, consumers, retailers, manufacturers and other agencies for a nominal fee.  Wherever possible, non-destructive methods of analysis are used to determine the probable cause of the problem investigated.  A written report stating the analyst's findings, suggesting the probable cause of the problem and possible solutions will be included with the textile when it is returned.

The fee schedule is available on request.

Jane Batcheller
Phone:  (780) 492-7677   Fax: (780) 492-4821
Email:jane.batcheller@ualberta.ca

The Textile Analysis Service is located at B19 Human Ecology Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB  T6G 2N1