Difference between revisions of "Cellulose acetate" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Cellulose acetate''', first prepared in 1865, is the [[acetate]] [[ester]] of [[cellulose]].  Cellulose [[acetate]] is used as a [[film base]] in [[photography]], and as a component in some [[adhesive]]s; it is also used as a [[synthetic fiber]].
+
{{Copyedited}}{{Images OK}}{{Submitted}}{{Approved}}{{Paid}}
  
==Acetate Fiber and Triacetate Fiber==
+
'''Cellulose acetate''' is a chemically modified form of [[cellulose]]. In chemical terms, it is the [[acetate]] [[ester]] of cellulose, which is a [[Polymer|biopolymer]] obtained from [[cotton]] or tree pulp.
Acetate and Triacetate are mistakenly referred to as the same fiber; although they are similar, their chemical compounds differ.  Triacetate is known as a generic description or primary acetate containing no hydroxyl group. Acetate fiber is known as modified or secondary acetate having a few hydroxyl groups. Triacetate fibers, although no longer produced in the United States, contain a higher ratio of acetate-to-cellulose than do acetate fibers[1].
+
{{toc}}
 +
Cellulose acetate is used as a synthetic [[fiber]], a [[film base]] in [[photography]], and a component in some [[adhesive]]s. The fiber, which is often blended with other materials (such as cotton and [[silk]]), is used extensively in clothing, draperies, upholstery, diapers, and filters.
  
==Film==
+
==History==
Cellulose [[acetate]] (triacetate) photographic film was introduced in 1934 as a replacement for the unstable and highly flammable [[cellulose nitrate]] film stock that had previously been standard. Acetate photographic film deteriorates in the presence of [[oxygen]] to an unusable state, releasing [[acetic acid]]. This is known as "[[vinegar syndrome]]." Acetate film stock is still used in some applications, such as camera negative for motion pictures. Since the [[1980s]] [[polyester]] film stock (sometimes referred to under Kodak's trade name "Estar") has become more commonplace, particularly for archival applications.  Acetate film was also used as the base for [[magnetic tape]] prior to the advent of polyester film.
+
Cellulose acetate was first introduced in 1904 by Camille Dreyfus and his younger brother Henri, based on chemical experiments they had performed in a shed in their father's garden in Basel, [[Switzerland]]. Given their father's interest in a chemical factory, his influence was probably a factor in their choice of careers. Basel was a center of the dyestuffs industry, and their first achievement was the development of synthetic indigo dyes. In search of a field that offered limitless possibilities, they chose to make cellulose acetate products, including fibers for textile use.
  
==Fiber==
+
For five years, the Dreyfus brothers studied and experimented in a systematic manner in Switzerland and [[France]]. By 1910, they had perfected acetate lacquers and plastic film and opened a factory in Basel capable of producing about three tons a day. The film was sold largely to the celluloid industry in France and [[Germany]], and to Pathe Fréres in Paris for nonflammable motion-picture film base. A small but growing amount of acetate lacquer, called "dope," was sold to the expanding aircraft industry to coat the fabric covering wings and fuselage.
Cellulose acetate or acetate rayon fiber (1924) is one of the earliest synthetic fibers and is based on cotton or tree [[pulp]] [[cellulose]] ("biopolymers"). These "cellulosic fibers" have passed their peak as cheap petro-based fibers ([[nylon]] and [[polyester]]) and have displaced regenerated pulp fibers.
 
  
It was invented by two Swiss brothers, Doctors Camille and Henri Dreyfus, who originally began chemical research in a shed behind their father's house in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]].  In 1905, Camille and Henri developed a commercial process to manufacture cellulose acetate.  The Dreyfus brothers initially focused on cellulose acetate [[film]], which was then widely used in [[celluloid]] plastics and film.  By 1913, Camille and Henri's studies and experiments had produced excellent laboratory samples of continuous filament acetate yarn. In 1924, the first commercial acetate filament was spun in the United States and trademarked as Celanese [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celanese] .
+
By 1913, the brothers produced excellent laboratory samples of continuous-filament acetate yarn. The outbreak of the First World War postponed commercial production of the yarn until 1921. The war necessitated rapid expansion of the Basel factory, which terminated its trade with Germany and exclusively supplied the Allied Governments with acetate "dope" for military aircraft.
  
==Fiber Properties==
+
In November 1914, the British Government invited Dr. Camille Dreyfus to come to England to manufacture acetate "dope." In 1917, the War Department of the U.S. government invited him to establish a similar factory in the [[United States]]. After about six weeks, a contract was negotiated for sale of acetate "dope" to the War Department and a plant site was sought. Dr. Dreyfus and his associates started construction of the American company at [[Cumberland, Maryland]] in 1918, but the war was over before the plant could be completed. Nonetheless, construction of the plant continued, the early management team began to assemble, and the organization in England completed development of the first commercially successful acetate textile yarn.
  
Acetate is a very valuable manufactured fiber that is low in cost and has good draping qualities. Properties of acetate have promoted it as the “beauty fiber”[1]. Acetate is used in fabrics such as [[satin]]s, [[brocade]]s, and [[taffeta]]s to accentuate luster, body, drape and beauty.
+
In 1921, the British company produced the first commercial cellulose acetate yarn. It was sold primarily for crocheting, trimming, and effect threads and for popular-priced linings. The first yarn spun in America was on Christmas Day, 1924, at the [[Cumberland, Maryland]] plant. It was trademarked as Celanese.
 
*Hand: soft, smooth, dry, crisp, resilient
 
*Comfort: breathes, wicks, dries quickly, no static cling
 
*Drape: linings move with the body linings conform to the garment
 
*Color: deep brilliant shades with atmospheric dyeing meet colorfastness requirements
 
*Luster: light reflection creates a signature appearance
 
*Performance: colorfast to perspiration staining, colorfast to dry cleaning, air and vapor permeable
 
*Tenacity: weak fiber with breaking tenacity of 1.2 to 1.4 g/d; rapidly loses strength when wet; must be [[Dry cleaning|dry cleaned]]
 
*Environmentally friendly: made from wood pulp of reforested trees
 
*Abrasion: poor resistance
 
*Heat retention: poor thermal retention; no allergenic potential (hypoallergenic)
 
*Dyeability: (two methods) cross-dying method where yarns of one fiber and those of another fiber are woven into a fabric in a desired pattern; solution-dying method provides excellent color fastness under the effects of sunlight, perspiration, air contaminants and washing [1,2]
 
  
''Acetate usually requires dry cleaning.''
+
The first yarn was of fair quality, but sales resistance was heavy, as silk associates worked zealously to discredit acetate and discourage its use. Acetate, however, became an enormous success as a fiber for moiré, because its thermoplastic quality made the moiré design absolutely permanent. The same characteristic also made permanent pleating a commercial fact for the first time, and gave great style impetus to the whole dress industry.
  
==Production==
+
The mixing of silk and acetate in fabrics was accomplished at an early stage, and almost at once cotton was also blended. As a result, it became possible to produce low-cost fabrics by using a fiber that was cheaper than silk or acetate. Today, acetate is blended with silk, cotton, wool, nylon, and other materials to provide fabrics with excellent wrinkle recovery, good handling and draping qualities, quick-drying ability, proper dimensional stability, and cross-dye pattern potential, at a very competitive price.
The [[Federal Trade Commission]] definition for acetate fiber is "A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is cellulose acetate. Where not less than 92 percent of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated, the term [[cellulose triacetate|triacetate]] may be used as a generic description of the fiber."
 
  
Acetate is derived from [[cellulose]] by deconstructing wood pulp into a
+
===Cellulose acetate film===
purified fluffy white [[cellulose]].  The cellulose is then reacted with [[acetic acid]] and [[acetic anhydride]] in the presence of [[sulfuric acid]]. It is then put through a controlled, partial [[hydrolysis]] to remove the [[sulfate]] and a sufficient number of acetate groups to give the product the desired properties. The [[anhydroglucose]] unit is the fundamental repeating structure of cellulose and has three [[hydroxyl]] groups which can react to form acetate [[ester]]s. The most common form of cellulose acetate fiber has an acetate group on approximately two of every three hydroxyls. This cellulose diacetate is known as secondary acetate, or simply as "acetate".
+
Cellulose acetate (triacetate) photographic film was introduced in 1934 as a replacement for the unstable and highly flammable [[celluloid]] film stock that had previously been standard. In addition, acetate film became the base for [[magnetic tape]] prior to the advent of polyester film.
  
After it is formed, cellulose acetate is dissolved in [[acetone]] into a viscose resin for extrusion through spinnerets (which resemble a shower head).  As the filaments emerge, the solvent is evaporated in warm air via dry spinning, producing fine cellulose acetate fibers.
+
The disadvantage with acetate film is that it deteriorates in the presence of [[oxygen]] to an unusable state, releasing [[acetic acid]]. This is known as the "[[vinegar syndrome]]." For this reason, [[polyester]] film stock (sometimes referred to under Kodak's trade name "Estar") has become more commonplace since the 1980s, particularly for archival applications. Acetate film stock is still used in some applications, such as camera negative for motion pictures.
  
First U.S. Commercial Acetate Fiber Production: 1924, Celanese Corporation
+
==Production==
 +
The [[Federal Trade Commission]] defines acetate fiber as "A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is cellulose acetate. Where not less than 92 percent of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated, the term [[cellulose triacetate|triacetate]] may be used as a generic description of the fiber."
  
Current U.S. Acetate Fiber Producers: Celanese Acetate, Eastman Chemical Company
+
Steps in the production process:<ref name="Kadolph">Kadolph, Sara J. and Anna L. Langford. 2001. ''Textiles'', Ninth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.</ref>
  
==Production Method==
+
*1) Cellulose is purified from wood pulp or cotton linters.
*1) Purified cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters  
+
*2) This cellulose is mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and a [[catalyst]] ([[sulfuric acid]]).
*2) Mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and a catalyst  
+
*3) The mix is allowed to age for 20 hours, when partial hydrolysis occurs (and sulfate groups are removed).
*3) Aged 20 hours- partial hydrolysis occurs  
+
*4) Cellulose acetate is precipitated as acid-resin flakes.
*4) Precipitated as acid-resin flakes  
+
*5) The flakes are dissolved in [[acetone]] (a volatile solvent).
*5) Flakes dissolved in acetone  
+
*6) The solution is filtered.
*6) Solution is filtered  
+
*7) The spinning solution extruded in the form of filaments in a column of warm air. The solvent evaporates and is recovered.
*7) Spinning solution extruded in column of warm air. Solvent recovered  
+
*8) The filaments are stretched and wound onto beams, cones, or bobbins ready for use.
*8) Filaments are stretched and wound onto beams, cones, or bobbins ready for use [1]
 
{{fact}}
 
==Trademarks==
 
Trade Names---Manufacturer
 
*Celanese (forms produced: flake and tow)—*Celanese Acetate
 
*Celstar—*Celanese Acetate
 
*Chromspun—*Eastman Chemical Company
 
*Estron—*Eastman Chemical Company
 
*MicroSafe—*Celanese Acetate
 
*Zylonite (often called "Zyl")
 
  
''* Voridian Company is an operating division of Eastman Chemical Company''
+
===Acetate versus triacetate fibers===
 +
Cellulose acetate and triacetate fibers are mistakenly thought of as the same product. Although they are similar, their molecular structures differ. Triacetate is known as the generic or "primary" acetate, containing no hydroxyl (OH) group. Cellulose acetate fiber, by contrast, is known as a modified or "secondary" acetate containing a few hydroxyl groups. It is often referred to simply as "acetate."<ref name="Kadolph"/> Triacetate fibers are no longer produced in the [[United States]].
  
Voridian introduced acetate tow in 1952 and remains a leading manufacturer today. Voridian sells acetate tow under the trademark Estron[5].
+
==Fiber Properties==
 +
Acetate is a valuable manufactured fiber that is low in cost and has good draping qualities. Given its properties, it has been promoted as the “beauty fiber”.<ref name="Kadolph"/> It is used in fabrics such as [[satin]]s, [[brocade]]s, and [[taffeta]]s to accentuate luster, body, drape, and beauty.
  
==Acetate Fiber Characteristics==
+
* Bonding: the fibers are easily bonded with plasticizers, under heat and pressure.
* cellulosic and thermoplastic
+
* Solubility: acetate is soluble in many common solvents (such as acetone) and can be modified to be soluble in alternative solvents, including water.
* selective absorption and removal of low levels of certain organic chemicals
+
* Interaction with water: acetate wets easily; in textile applications, it provides comfort and absorbency, but also loses strength when wet.
* easily bonded with plasticizers, heat, and pressure
+
*Feeling by hand: soft, smooth, dry, crisp, and resilient.
* acetate is soluble in many common solvents (especially acetone and other organic solvents) and can be modified to be soluble in alternative solvents, including water
+
*Comfort: breathes, wicks, dries quickly, no static cling.
* hydrophilic: acetate wets easily, with good liquid transport and excellent absorption; in textile applications, it provides comfort and absorbency, but also loses strength when wet
+
*Drape: linings move with the body, conform to the garment.
* acetate fibers are [[wiktionary:Hypoallergenic|hypoallergenic]]
+
*Color: deep brilliant shades with atmospheric dyeing meet colorfastness requirements.
* high surface area
+
*Luster: light reflection creates a signature appearance.
* made from a renewable resource: reforested trees.
+
*Performance: colorfast to perspiration staining, colorfast to dry cleaning, air and vapor permeable.
* can be composted or incinerated
+
*Environmentally friendly:
* can be dyed, however special dyes and pigments are required since acetate does not accept dyes ordinarily used for cotton and rayon (this also allows cross-dyeing)
+
** made from wood pulp of reforested trees.  
* resistant to mold and mildew
+
** can be composted or incinerated.
* easily weakened by strong alkaline solutions and strong oxidizing agents.
+
*Abrasion: poor resistance
* can usually be wet cleaned or dry cleaned and generally does not shrink
+
*Heat retention: poor thermal retention
 +
*Allergenic potential: none (it is hypoallergenic).
 +
*Dyeability: Special dyes and pigments are required because acetate does not accept dyes ordinarily used for cotton and rayon. Two methods are used: in the cross-dyeing method, yarns of two different fibers are woven into a fabric in a desired pattern; the solution-dying method provides excellent color fastness under the effects of sunlight, perspiration, air contaminants and washing.<ref name="Kadolph"/>
  
 
==Major industrial acetate fiber uses==
 
==Major industrial acetate fiber uses==
* apparel: linings, blouses, dresses, wedding and party attire, home furnishings, draperies, upholstery and slip covers
+
* Apparel: linings, blouses, dresses, wedding and party attire, home furnishings, draperies, upholstery, and slip covers.
* industrial uses: cigarette filters, ink reservoirs for fiber tip pens
+
* Industrial uses: cigarette filters, ink reservoirs for fiber-tip pens.
* high absorbency products: diapers, surgical products, and other filters
+
* High-absorbency products: diapers, surgical products, and other filters.
* toys: the original [[Lego]] bricks, made from [[1949]] to [[1957]]
+
* Toys: the original [[Lego]] bricks, made from 1949 to 1957.
 
 
==History==
 
Acetate was first introduced in 1904, when Camille Dreyfus and his younger brother Henri, did chemical research and development in a shed in their father's garden in Basle, Switzerland.  Inasmuch as their father was interested in a chemical factory, his influence was probably a factor in their choice of careers.  And since Basle was a center of the dyestuffs industry, it was natural that their first achievement should be the development of synthetic indigo dyes.  In search of a field that offers really limitless potentialities, they deliberately selected that of cellulose acetate products, including fibers for textile use.
 
 
 
For five years, the Dreyfus brothers studied and experimented in a logical, systematic manner in Switzerland and France.  By 1910, they had perfected acetate lacquers and plastic film and opened a factory in Basle capable of producing about three tons a day.  This was largely sold to the celluloid industry in France and Germany, and to Pathe Fréres in Paris for non-flammable motion picture film base.  A small but constantly growing amount of acetate lacquer, called "dope", was sold to the expanding aircraft industry to coat the fabric covering wings and fuselage.
 
 
 
After some twenty-odd thousand separate experiments, by 1913, the brothers produced excellent laboratory samples of acetate continuous filament yarn.  The outbreak of the First World War postponed completion of development leading to successful commercial production until 1921. The war, of course, necessitated rapid expansion of the Basle factory which terminated its trade with Germany and exclusively supplied the Allied Governments with acetate "dope" for military aircraft.
 
 
 
In November 1914, the British Government invited Dr.Camille Dreyfus to come to England to manufacture acetate "dope".  In 1917, the War Department of the United States Government invited Dr. Dreyfus to establish a similar factory here after the US's entry into war.  After about six weeks, a contract was negotiated for sale of acetate "dope" to the War Department and a plant site was sought Dr. Dreyfus and his associates started construction of the American company at [[Cumberland, Maryland]] in 1918, but the war was over before the plant could be completed.  The business with the Government was completed in due time, construction of the plant continued, the early nucleus of the management began to assemble, and the organization in England completed development of the first commercially successful acetate textile yarn.  In England, in 1912, the British company produced the first commercial cellulose acetate yarn.  The yarn was sold primarily for crocheting, trimming, and effect threads and for popular-priced linings.
 
 
 
The first yarn spun in America was on Christmas Day, 1924, at the [[Cumberland, Maryland]] Plant. The first yarn was of fair quality, but sales resistance was heavy, and silk associates worked zealously to discredit acetate and discourage its use.  Acetate became an enormous success as a fiber for moiré because its thermoplastic quality made the moiré design absolutely permanent. The same characteristic also made permanent pleating a commercial fact for the first time, and gave great style impetus to the whole dress industry.
 
 
 
This was a genuine contribution.  The mixing of silk and acetate in fabrics was accomplished at the beginning and almost at once cotton was also blended, thus making possible low-cost fabrics by means of a fiber which then was cheaper than silk or acetate. Today, acetate is blended with silk, cotton, wool, nylon, etc. to give to fabrics an excellent wrinkle recovery, good left, handle, draping quality, quick drying, proper dimensional stability, cross-dye pattern potential, at a very competitive price.
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
  
 
* [[Celluloid]]
 
* [[Celluloid]]
* [[Cellulose triacetate]]
+
* [[Plastic]]
 +
* [[Polymer]]
 
* [[Textile]]
 
* [[Textile]]
 +
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references />
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 +
* Acetate fiber Fibersource.com.
 +
* Kadolph, Sara J. and Anna L. Langford. 2001. ''Textiles'', Ninth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130254436
  
*[1]Kadoph, Sara J. and Ann L. Langford, (2002). "Textiles-Ninth Edition." New Jersey:Person Education, Inc.
 
*[2][http://www.acetateworld.com/sx%20general/mx00%2000x.asp?lv2=21 acetateworld]
 
*[3][http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/acetate.htm fibersource]
 
*[4][http://www.teonline.com/fiber-trademarks.html teonline]
 
*[5][http://www.eastman.com.about%20eastman/the%20company/voridian%20profile.asp eastman]
 
 
==External links==
 
*[http://www.nla.gov.au/anica/about-anica.html Australian National library associations working group on preserving acetate collections]
 
*[http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1461 history and properties]
 
  
 
[[Category:Physical sciences]]
 
[[Category:Physical sciences]]
 +
[[Category:Polymers]]
 
[[Category:Technology]]
 
[[Category:Technology]]
  
 
{{credit|91208004}}
 
{{credit|91208004}}

Latest revision as of 01:40, 13 January 2023


Cellulose acetate is a chemically modified form of cellulose. In chemical terms, it is the acetate ester of cellulose, which is a biopolymer obtained from cotton or tree pulp.

Cellulose acetate is used as a synthetic fiber, a film base in photography, and a component in some adhesives. The fiber, which is often blended with other materials (such as cotton and silk), is used extensively in clothing, draperies, upholstery, diapers, and filters.

History

Cellulose acetate was first introduced in 1904 by Camille Dreyfus and his younger brother Henri, based on chemical experiments they had performed in a shed in their father's garden in Basel, Switzerland. Given their father's interest in a chemical factory, his influence was probably a factor in their choice of careers. Basel was a center of the dyestuffs industry, and their first achievement was the development of synthetic indigo dyes. In search of a field that offered limitless possibilities, they chose to make cellulose acetate products, including fibers for textile use.

For five years, the Dreyfus brothers studied and experimented in a systematic manner in Switzerland and France. By 1910, they had perfected acetate lacquers and plastic film and opened a factory in Basel capable of producing about three tons a day. The film was sold largely to the celluloid industry in France and Germany, and to Pathe Fréres in Paris for nonflammable motion-picture film base. A small but growing amount of acetate lacquer, called "dope," was sold to the expanding aircraft industry to coat the fabric covering wings and fuselage.

By 1913, the brothers produced excellent laboratory samples of continuous-filament acetate yarn. The outbreak of the First World War postponed commercial production of the yarn until 1921. The war necessitated rapid expansion of the Basel factory, which terminated its trade with Germany and exclusively supplied the Allied Governments with acetate "dope" for military aircraft.

In November 1914, the British Government invited Dr. Camille Dreyfus to come to England to manufacture acetate "dope." In 1917, the War Department of the U.S. government invited him to establish a similar factory in the United States. After about six weeks, a contract was negotiated for sale of acetate "dope" to the War Department and a plant site was sought. Dr. Dreyfus and his associates started construction of the American company at Cumberland, Maryland in 1918, but the war was over before the plant could be completed. Nonetheless, construction of the plant continued, the early management team began to assemble, and the organization in England completed development of the first commercially successful acetate textile yarn.

In 1921, the British company produced the first commercial cellulose acetate yarn. It was sold primarily for crocheting, trimming, and effect threads and for popular-priced linings. The first yarn spun in America was on Christmas Day, 1924, at the Cumberland, Maryland plant. It was trademarked as Celanese.

The first yarn was of fair quality, but sales resistance was heavy, as silk associates worked zealously to discredit acetate and discourage its use. Acetate, however, became an enormous success as a fiber for moiré, because its thermoplastic quality made the moiré design absolutely permanent. The same characteristic also made permanent pleating a commercial fact for the first time, and gave great style impetus to the whole dress industry.

The mixing of silk and acetate in fabrics was accomplished at an early stage, and almost at once cotton was also blended. As a result, it became possible to produce low-cost fabrics by using a fiber that was cheaper than silk or acetate. Today, acetate is blended with silk, cotton, wool, nylon, and other materials to provide fabrics with excellent wrinkle recovery, good handling and draping qualities, quick-drying ability, proper dimensional stability, and cross-dye pattern potential, at a very competitive price.

Cellulose acetate film

Cellulose acetate (triacetate) photographic film was introduced in 1934 as a replacement for the unstable and highly flammable celluloid film stock that had previously been standard. In addition, acetate film became the base for magnetic tape prior to the advent of polyester film.

The disadvantage with acetate film is that it deteriorates in the presence of oxygen to an unusable state, releasing acetic acid. This is known as the "vinegar syndrome." For this reason, polyester film stock (sometimes referred to under Kodak's trade name "Estar") has become more commonplace since the 1980s, particularly for archival applications. Acetate film stock is still used in some applications, such as camera negative for motion pictures.

Production

The Federal Trade Commission defines acetate fiber as "A manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is cellulose acetate. Where not less than 92 percent of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated, the term triacetate may be used as a generic description of the fiber."

Steps in the production process:[1]

  • 1) Cellulose is purified from wood pulp or cotton linters.
  • 2) This cellulose is mixed with glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and a catalyst (sulfuric acid).
  • 3) The mix is allowed to age for 20 hours, when partial hydrolysis occurs (and sulfate groups are removed).
  • 4) Cellulose acetate is precipitated as acid-resin flakes.
  • 5) The flakes are dissolved in acetone (a volatile solvent).
  • 6) The solution is filtered.
  • 7) The spinning solution extruded in the form of filaments in a column of warm air. The solvent evaporates and is recovered.
  • 8) The filaments are stretched and wound onto beams, cones, or bobbins ready for use.

Acetate versus triacetate fibers

Cellulose acetate and triacetate fibers are mistakenly thought of as the same product. Although they are similar, their molecular structures differ. Triacetate is known as the generic or "primary" acetate, containing no hydroxyl (OH) group. Cellulose acetate fiber, by contrast, is known as a modified or "secondary" acetate containing a few hydroxyl groups. It is often referred to simply as "acetate."[1] Triacetate fibers are no longer produced in the United States.

Fiber Properties

Acetate is a valuable manufactured fiber that is low in cost and has good draping qualities. Given its properties, it has been promoted as the “beauty fiber”.[1] It is used in fabrics such as satins, brocades, and taffetas to accentuate luster, body, drape, and beauty.

  • Bonding: the fibers are easily bonded with plasticizers, under heat and pressure.
  • Solubility: acetate is soluble in many common solvents (such as acetone) and can be modified to be soluble in alternative solvents, including water.
  • Interaction with water: acetate wets easily; in textile applications, it provides comfort and absorbency, but also loses strength when wet.
  • Feeling by hand: soft, smooth, dry, crisp, and resilient.
  • Comfort: breathes, wicks, dries quickly, no static cling.
  • Drape: linings move with the body, conform to the garment.
  • Color: deep brilliant shades with atmospheric dyeing meet colorfastness requirements.
  • Luster: light reflection creates a signature appearance.
  • Performance: colorfast to perspiration staining, colorfast to dry cleaning, air and vapor permeable.
  • Environmentally friendly:
    • made from wood pulp of reforested trees.
    • can be composted or incinerated.
  • Abrasion: poor resistance
  • Heat retention: poor thermal retention
  • Allergenic potential: none (it is hypoallergenic).
  • Dyeability: Special dyes and pigments are required because acetate does not accept dyes ordinarily used for cotton and rayon. Two methods are used: in the cross-dyeing method, yarns of two different fibers are woven into a fabric in a desired pattern; the solution-dying method provides excellent color fastness under the effects of sunlight, perspiration, air contaminants and washing.[1]

Major industrial acetate fiber uses

  • Apparel: linings, blouses, dresses, wedding and party attire, home furnishings, draperies, upholstery, and slip covers.
  • Industrial uses: cigarette filters, ink reservoirs for fiber-tip pens.
  • High-absorbency products: diapers, surgical products, and other filters.
  • Toys: the original Lego bricks, made from 1949 to 1957.

See also

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kadolph, Sara J. and Anna L. Langford. 2001. Textiles, Ninth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Acetate fiber Fibersource.com.
  • Kadolph, Sara J. and Anna L. Langford. 2001. Textiles, Ninth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130254436

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