A professional who examines, measures, photographs, and tests synthetic fiber samples to facilitate quality control of forming, treating, and texturing processes, performing any combination of following tasks. Responsibilities include:

• Dips several twisted threads in melted wax and directs stream of cold water over threads to congeal wax.
• Slices threads crosswise, using microtome.
• Dissolves wax, using solvent, and positions thread sample on microscope slide.
• Inserts slide in microscope and photographs sample, using standard microphotographic equipment and techniques.
• Develops, prints, and labels photographs.
• Analyzes photographs to determine whether structure and other characteristics of thread meet plant standards.
• Determines tensile strength of thread samples, using device that draws material between two jaws until breakage occurs.
• Measures cross-sectional area of thread samples, using planimeter.
• Immerses samples in water, corrosives, or cleaning agents to detect shrinkage or damage.
• Places thread samples in dye bath to evaluate permeability of dye and exposes samples to controlled light source to ascertain fade resistance.
• Prepares and submits reports of findings to production personnel to facilitate quality control of product.