What Is It?

Content analysis identifies the components of a down and feather sample.

How Is The Test Performed?

A specific weight of material is hand separated into component categories. 

The test has two parts:

1. The first separation classifies larger components into the following categories: down with fibers, feathers, broken and damaged feathers, landfowl, and residue.

2. The second separation classifies smaller components from a sub-specimen of down and fibers category. The categories of the second separation are: down clusters, down fiber, feather fiber, landfowl fiber  and any additional residue  and tiny feathers.

What Do The Results Mean?

The content analysis report gives the percentages by weight of each component category. A sample report:

73.3% Down Cluster
7.2% Down Fiber
4.1% Feather Fiber
11.4% Waterfowl Feathers
1.5% Broken/Damaged Feathers
1.3% Landfowl Feathers / Fibers
1.2% Residue

Why Do It?

Governments and buyers require labeling of finished products. The component percentages are the basis of the product label. The various systems for labeling help consumers and manufacturers buy and sell different quality products in a fair and level marketplace.

What Is It?

The species analysis identifies the species of a feather or a down cluster. Most samples are tested for duck and goose species but other species including landfowl can be identified.

How Is The Test Performed?

After completing the Content Analysis test, 1g of feathers and 0.1g of down clusters are magnified and categorized. The magnification lets the analyst see characteristic nodes that identify the piece as duck, goose, or landfowl.

What Do The Results Mean?

The report lists the percentage by weight of each species identified.

A sample report is listed below:

92% Goose Down
8% Duck Down
87% Goose Feathers
8% Duck Feathers
5% Landfowl

Why Do It?

Governments and buyers require species identification in labeling of down and feather products. The cost of different species of down and feathers can vary greatly. Proper identification and labeling of species help consumers and manufactures buy and sell the correct product.

What Is It?

Color separation tests the amount of white and dark material in a plumage sample.

How Is The Test Performed?

A sample is hand separated into white, dark, and borderline colors. How white a piece is depends on how it compares to a grayscale level. Depending on requirements, the borderline category can be re-classified into white or dark material according to specifications.

What Do The Results Mean?

Percentages of white, dark, and borderline are reported. The percentages are based on weights.

For example, 99% white mean that 99% of the weight of the sample was classified as white.

Why Do It?

Many companies request only white material. Dark material that shows through fabric can dissuade a consumer from purchasing a product. The test gives a quantitative value of how much white material is in the plumage sample.

What Is It?

Average feather length measures each feather and then groups them by length.

How Is The Test Performed?

Three grams of clean feathers are individually measured and sorted according to length. The categories are 0.1 to 1.9 cm for 1 cm, 2.0 to 2.9 cm for 2 cm,3.0 to 3.9 cm for 3 cm, etc. Each category of feathers is then counted. The report includes a chart for each feather length group with the number and percentage according to count. The overall average feather length is also given.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

There are four different types of numbers – count, percentage of count, cumulative percentage, and average feather length. The count is how many individual feathers there are in the sample for that category. Percentage of count is the percentage overall that a category makes up for the entire sample based on the count. The cumulative percentage is a running percentage total starting from the smallest length category. The average feather length number is the average for all the feather length groups.

Why Do It?

There are many different types and sizes of feathers. Different products are better suited to certain lengths of feathers. Specifying the average length of a feather is important in order to provide a consistent product

What Is It?

Fill power is a volumetric measurement which is used to determine the approximate insulation value of down and feather fillings. It measures the volume a specific amount of down occupies, when compressed with a specific amount of weight.

How Is The Test Performed?

1. Samples are conditioned according to one of the following standardized methods:

No conditioning
Tumble Dry Conditioning (Europe)
Steam Conditioning (IDFB, Japan, USA)

2. Samples are placed in a climate-controlled room for a set period of time.

3. A specific amount of down is weighed, compressed, and measured for volume according to the test method being performed.

What Do The Results Mean?

Fill Power is reported in either volumetric units (cubic inches per ounce or cubic cm per gram), or with the volume as a height measurement taken from the fill power device (mm or cm). Using either measurement, the numbers are a representation of volume; and the greater the volume, the better the down will insulate.

Common values for fill power range from 300 to 900 cubic inches per 30g. (75mm-225mm per 30g).

Why Do It?

Fill Power is one of the best performance metrics used to distinguish different qualities of down and feathers. Many products use fill power in marketing to differentiate one product from another. Also, many labeling standards have Fill Power requirements.

What Is It?

Fill power measures the volume a specific amount of filling material occupies when compressed with a specific amount of weight. Compression deals with the compressibility of the filling material under a certain weight for a set amount of time. Recovery is the value at which a material rebounds after a set amount of time after compression. These tests are for ANY loose-fill materials (down or synthetics).

How Is The Test Performed?

1. Samples are conditioned and placed in a climate-controlled room for a set period of time.

2. Normal fill power is performed according to IDFB 10-B.

3. Samples are compressed for a set amount of time to obtain the compression value.

4. Samples are allowed to recover for a set amount of time to obtain the recovery value

What Do The Results Mean?

Fill Power, Compression, and Recovery are reported in either volumetric units(cubic inches per ounce or cubic cm per gram), or with the volume as a height measurement taken from the fill power device and the compression/recovery device (mm or cm).

Why Do It?

Compression and Recovery provide a benchmark for the compressibility and durability of filling materials. This is especially useful in choosing materials for finished products. These tests are recommended for loose-filling materials and not for batting.

What Is It?

Oxygen Number indicates product cleanliness by providing a measurement of organic material coating the fill material.

How Is The Test Performed?

A set amount of fill material to be tested is placed in a tumbler jar with distilled water and agitated for a set amount of time. The fill material is then filtered out leaving the loosened particles in the water. Sulphuric acid is added and the resulting solution is titrated with potassium permanganate until the solution remains pink for 60 seconds. The oxygen number is calculated from the amount of potassium permanganate added, and is reported as mg of oxygen per 100 g of sample.

What Do The Results Mean?

The lower the Oxygen Number the cleaner the fill material. Most countries require the Oxygen Number to be less than 10.

For a product to be labeled hypoallergenic in the USA, the Oxygen Number must be 4.8 or less.

Why Do It?

Governments require that products meet certain cleanliness requirements.

What Is It?

Turbidity is a cleanliness test that gives an indication of the amount of inorganic, organic, or biological particles on a sample.

How Is The Test Performed?

A set amount of the sample to be tested is placed in a tumbler jar with distilled water and agitated for a set amount of time. The sample is then filtered out leaving the loosened particles in the water.

The turbidity can then be tested in one of two ways:

The resulting water is poured into a metered glass tube with a target at the bottom. The water is slowly let out until the target becomes visible, and the turbidity value is recorded in mm, at the height of the water in the tube.
The resulting water can also be read with a nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU). The NTU meter measures the deflected light of a sample. The more light deflected, the higher the turbidity will be.

What Do The Results Mean?

With the metered glass tube: the higher the number, the cleaner the sample. Very clean samples register a value of 550+ mm.

With the NTU meter: the lower the number, the cleaner the sample.
A NTU value of less than 10 is considered clean.

Why Do It?

Governments require that products meet certain cleanliness requirements.

What Is It?

Fat and Oil measures the amount of lipids (fat and oils) in a sample.

How Is The Test Performed?

A sample is placed in a soxhlet extractor. A solvent is boiled and then distilled onto the sample. This process removes the lipids from the material. After the extraction process is completed, the remaining solvent is removed and the lipids are weighed.

What Do The Results Mean?

Fat and Oil are reported as a percentage. This calculation is based on weight. A range of 0.5 to 1.5% is generally thought to be best.

Why Do It?

A certain amount of lipids are required for down and feathers to be resilient. Lipids on down and feathers help them resist water and also protect them.

Down and feathers that do not have enough lipids will become brittle and break apart prematurely. On the other hand, too many lipids will cause an odor that is mostly offensive to consumers.

There are some countries that require a fat and oil range in order to import or export the product

.

What Is It?

pH Value is an important ecological assessment indicator that more and more consumers are paying attention to. The human skin has a layer of weak acidic substances that help prevent invasion from disease. Therefore, it is most beneficial for the skin to keep pH Values between neutral range (pH Value of 7) and slightly acidic (pH Value lower than 7). pH Value is an important indicator when involved with human health and safety in plumage.

How Is The Test Performed?

At room temperature, a pH meter is used to extract the pH value from the plumage water.

What Do The Results Mean?

A) Type of Products for Infants (children under 36 months) have a pH of 4 – 7.5.
B) Type of Products for Direct Contact with Skin (e.g. underwear, towel, bedding, ect) have a pH of 4 – 8.5.
C) Type of Products for Indirect Contact with Skin (e.g. window curtains) have a pH of 4 – 9.

Why Do It?

When plumage is in the condition of neutral range (pH of 7) or slightly acidic (lower that pH of 7), it is beneficial for human skin. It protects the skin and maintains a balance of permanent bacteria. It prevents invasion of harmful bacteria. Plumage that contain stronger conditions of acidity or alkalinity are not only easily damaged, but irritate the skin and could lead to an allergic reaction.

What Is It?

Moisture content measures the quantity of water present in a sample.

How Is The Test Performed?

A sample is placed in a pre-dried beaker and weighed. The beaker with the sample is then transferred to a preheated oven (105-110 ºC) where the sample is dried for one hour. After cooling, in a desiccator, the sample is reweighed. The process is repeated until the weight is constant. Moisture content is then calculated on a wet basis.

What Do The Results Mean?

Moisture is reported as a percentage, which is obtained by dividing the amount of water by the total weight of the sample.

A range of 8% to 12% is generally thought to be optimal.

Why Do It?

Plumage is usually bought and sold in bulk and measured by weight. The moisture contained in a sample may greatly affect its weight. Testing the moisture allows buyers and manufacturers to buy and sell in a fair marketplace.

Also, high moisture content may affect the odor of the down and, on the other hand, low moisture may cause brittleness.

What Is It?

Microbiology or Bioburden tests for the biological activity, or viability, of certain microorganisms known to be harmful to humans when found in high concentrations (such as salmonella, fecal streptococci, etc.).
When plumage is washed and sterilized these microorganisms are killed and pose no threat to humans. The bioburden test is one of the means for testing the cleanliness of plumage and verifying the washing and sterilization process.

How Is The Test Performed?

A sample of plumage is cultured on a growth medium. It is incubated for a certain period of time in conditions that are favorable for microorganism growth. After the incubation period, colonies of growth are counted and categorized.

What Do The Results Mean?

Four categories that are reported:

1. Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria
2. Fecal Streptococci Count
3. Sulfite Reducing Clostridia Count
4. Presence of Salmonella

The numbers are reported in CFU (Colony Forming Units) per gram.
For example: 3.4 x103

Why Do It?

It is a requirement for some countries’ labeling programs. It is also an additional way to verify the cleanliness of plumage and verify the washing and sterilization process.

What Is It?

The Dust method measures the amount of dust in a sample. Dust is described as fine particles that are less than .003” in size.

How Is It Done?

The sample is placed in a cloth bag, which is then placed on a black surface. A5lb. weight is dropped, along a dowel from a height of 110cm on the bag. The dust is then analyzed visually, and microscopically.

What Do The Results Mean?

1. Dust upon arrival: The case or plastic bag in which the sample was received in is inspected for dust. Inspecting the covering is important to determine the source of dust, if large amounts of dust are found on the packaging the packaging could be the source of dust. (Applicable to finished products only.)

2. Dust between cover and shell (pillows): The inside of the cover and the outside of the shell are examined for dust. Then the shell is shaken and the forthcoming material is observed and evaluated. (Applicable to pillows with covers only.)

3. Dust from finished product: The finished product is held in front of a dark background and firmly struck. The forthcoming material is observed and evaluated. (Applicable to finished products only.)

4. Dust during net fill: The inside of the shell is examined visually, then the shell is shaken and forthcoming material is observed and evaluated. (Finished products only.)

5. Dust evaluation: The filling material is inspected for dust using IDFL method 21.

6. Source of dust: Based on the ratings of the previous five dust inspections the source of the dust is determined. The source of the dust can be the packaging, the cover, the shell, or the filling material. The filling material is the most common source of dust.

bag7. Microscopic evaluation: The dust from the filling material is examined under the microscope. This is to determine the type of dust in the filling material, which can be dirt, soap residue or small feather fibers. A picture of the microscope slide will appear on the report. The picture does not indicate the amount of dust, only the type of dust.

Why Do It?

The dust test is different from other cleanliness tests because it simulates how the consumer views the sample. Unlike turbidity or oxygen tests, the dust test shows what the consumer will see when they handle the sample.

The dust test also reveals the probable source of dust, this data can be used to remedy possible issues with dust content.

What Is It?

Odor or odour testing measures the scent or fragrance caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of smell.

How Is It Done?

A feather/down sample is placed in a pre-dried glass jar. Distilled water is added and the jar is shaken until the sample absorbs water. The jar with the sample is then transferred to a preheated oven (40ºC) where the sample is dried for 24 hours. After cooling, the jar is opened and evaluated for odor according to an evaluation form.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

Odoris reported according to a 5-point rating scale:

5-PASS (Almost No Odor)

4-PASS (Normal Plumage Odor)

3-PASS (Stronger than Normal Plumage Odor)

2-FAIL (Unacceptable Plumage Odor)or (Unacceptable Non-Plumage Odor)

1-EXTREME FAIL (Extreme or Raw Plumage Odor)or (Extreme Non-Plumage Odor)

Why Do It?

Sales of down products are impeded by odor. Some clients have reported 85% of down product returns are attributed to odor issues. Different qualities of down have varying degrees of odor (e.g., feathers vs. down, duck vs. goose, white vs. grey, age, environment, etc.). Typically, white duck feathers have the strongest odor; however, after proper sterilization, washing, and drying, even white duck feathers can make products with excellent order ratings. Typically the best way to prevent odor is to make sure high standards of cleanliness are kept. High turbidity, low oxygen, fat & oil around 1% and minimal moisture will help prevent these problems.

What Is It?

The Hydrophobic Shake Test is a water-repellency test that measures the performance of a DWR treatment for down and feathers.

How Is The Test Performed?

A set amount of the sample to be tested is placed in a glass jar with deionized water. The sample is then agitated in a shake machine until the sample absorbs water and completely sinks. A reported value corresponds to the level of down in the water. The total shake time is reported when the sample completely sinks in the water.

This test can be used to compare untreated and treated samples or verify that a DWR treatment was applied properly to the sample.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

The reported values of 1 through 5 correspond to the level of the down in water after shaking for a specific period of time. A 5 indicates that the sample remained above the water without sinking, and a 1 means that the sample completely sank in the water. The test stops once the sample reaches the rating of 1.

The reported shake times are in minutes. The shake times depend on the water-repellent properties of the sample.

Why Do It?

It is important to distinguish water-repellent properties and the performance of varying DWR treatments. 

This test is also performed to verify the successful application of a DWR treatment for down and feathers.

What Is It?

Water Absorption is a water repellency test that indicates the amount of water absorption for a DWR treated down and feather sample.

How Is The Test Performed?

A set amount of the sample to be tested is placed in a small nylon-mesh pillow. The filled pillow is weighed, submerged in water for a specific amount of time, dried for a short period, and then re-weighed. The before and after submersion weights are used to calculate the percentage of water absorption for the pillow. Multiple pillows are tested for each sample.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

The reported percentage correlates to the amount of water absorbed by a sample compared to the original weight.

Why Do It?

It is important to distinguish water-repellent properties and the performance of varying DWR treatments.

What Is It?

This analysis identifies the amount of Polyurethane Foam compared to down, feathers and other components within a sample.

How Is It Done?

The sample size is first determined by the amount of down within the sample (usually a larger sample is needed for this composition):

     •If the expected down percentage is greater than 30%, 4g will be needed for each test.

     •If anything less than 30% expected down or greater than 70% expected polyurethane foam, at least 6g will be needed for each test. 

This composition is determined by a two-step process:

1) Composition Test – consisting of two parts

     a) A separation of Down and Feathers (Feathers, Broken & Damaged Feathers, Quill, Residue, Landfowl, and Down/Fiber) and Polyurethane Foam is completed.

     b) A second smaller sample is drawn from the remaining Down/Fiber/Polyurethane Foam, and the components are separated manually. 

2) Calculation of Final Report – The results from both composition tests are combined, and the elements are reported in percentages according to weight.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

The percentage of each component is reported showing the percentage based on the weight of the total material. A calculated percentage is used to determine the portion of each component of the down and feather and the polyurethane foam.

Why Do It?

Down and feathers are often mixed with other natural or synthetic materials. In order to verify the composition of the blend, a polyurethane foam/down analysis must be performed.

The Polyurethane Foam / Down percentages must be correctly stated on the law label of products, as required by governments and buyers.