Viscose rayon
Polynosic
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Lyocel
Viscose Rayon
The earliest processes for making rayon utilized natural materials that were fibrous in nature , such as short cotton linters that could not be spun into yarns, or fibrous wood pulp.
The pulp dissolved in chemicals that broke down the molecular structure of the fiber somewhat , while still retaining a substantial quality of long chain molecules.
The solution was forced through a metal plate that had small holes in ti, exposed either to heated air or to a chemical solution and then formed in to a long , hair like filament
Properties
Physical appearance Colour- rayon fibers are normally white in color. But they can have color added to the solution from which the fibers is to be spun. This provides a permanently locked in color through a process known as solution dyeing. Lustre- The lustre of rayon can be modified by the addition of titanium dioxide Shape- man made fibers can be manufactured in any length and diameter. Cross-section- irregular circle with serrated edges. Longitudinal longitudinal lines called striations
Viloft - a flat cross sectional viscose rayon fiber gives a unique soft handle and pleasing drape
Galaxy- a Yshaped viscose rayon fibre with highly absorbency and bulk
Physical propertiesStrength- the strength of viscose rayon is low. The lower polymer chain length of viscose when compared with polymer length of cotton and linen is responsible for this lower strength of viscose. Tenacity- when dry- 0.73 to 2.6, when wet 0.7 to 1.8 g/d Density and specific gravity- 1.5-1.53
Crystallinity 35-40%
Elasticity and resilience- the elastic recovery of rayon is low, as is its resiliency . Untreated rayon tends to stretch and wrinkle badly. Absorbency and moisture regain- the molecular structure of viscose is more amorphous that that of cotton or linen, making the viscose fibres more absorbent than natural cellulosic fibers viscous accepts dyes readily.
Dimensional stability- viscose rayon stretch and having low elastic recovery tends to remain stretched.
Heat and electrical conductivity- The conductivity of both heat and electricity of viscose rayon is satisfactory, so that the fiber is reasonably comfortable in hot weather and does not build up static electricity.
Chemical Properties Chemical reactivity- the amorphous molecular structure of viscose makes more susceptible to action of alkalis and acids. Acids attack viscose more readily than cotton or other cellulosic fibers.
Micro-organisms and insects- viscose is subjected to damage from mildew and rot producing bacteria. Silver fish will attack the fiber.
Care in storage is necessary to prevent exposure of the fabric to conditions that encourage mildew and silverfish.
Exposure to sunlight will deteriorate viscose rayon's more rapidly than cotton.
Cuprammonium Rayon
Properties- quite similar to those of viscose rayon. The fiber has a somewhat more silk like appearance and feel and is after manufactured in fiber diameter.
A good conductor of heat and fairly absorbent , it is especially suitable for use in warm weather clothing.
In the 1920s experimentation with regeneration of cellulosic materials led to the discovery of a by product called cellulose acetate.
Appearance
Shape- in microscope appearance cellulose diacetate or triacetate are very similar. Normally both fibers are clear and have irregular mutilobed shape in cross section rather like popcorn.
Luster and color- if acetate and triacetate have not been treated to decrease luster, both fibers will have a bright appearance and good luster. Strength- both acetate and triacetate have very low strength. Both are weaker wet than dry. Crystallinity : 40% Tenacity: 2.5 g/d Elongation 16-18% Moisture regain: 6.5 % Density and specific gravity- lower than rayon or cotton at 1.32 and 1.3 Elasticity and resilience- acetate has poor elastic recovery and poor wrinkle recovery. Absorbency and moisture regain- 6.3 to 6.5 % Dimensional stability- acetate fabrics may exhibit relaxation shrinkage on laundering unless they are pretreated.
Heat and Electrical conductivity- neither heat nor electrical conductivity of acetate and triacetate are as good as the conductivity of other cellulosic fibers.
Both fibers tend to build up static electricity charges, and neither acetate nor triacetate is as cool to wear as cotton, linen or rayon.
Heat- thermoplastic fiber (they will soften and melt with the application of heat)
Effect of acid- resistant to cold, dilute acids, decomposed by strong acids, dissolves in acetic acid
Effect of bleaches- hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate bleach recommended at temperature below 90 degree F. Effect of organic solvents- petroleum products safe for use. Dissolved by acetone. Resistance to micro organisms and Insects- mildew will grow on acetate or triacetate if the fabrics are incorrectly stored. The growth causes discoloration of the fabric but no serious loss of strength. Moth or carpets beetles do not attack either fiber. Heavily starched or sized acetates are prone to attack from silver fish. Environmental condition- extended exposure to sunlight will cause a loss of strength and deterioration of acetate fabrics.
Microscopic appearance Crystallinity : 40% Tenacity: 2.5 g/d Elongation 16-18% Moisture regain: 6.5 % Thermal properties: Heat sensitive, softens at 175-1900C Chemical properties: More sensitive to acids than cotton Effect of acids: Acids hydrolyze Effect of alkalis: Resistant to alkalies
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Comfort factors
More stronger than viscose in wet and dry state
One problem is the almost perfectly circular cross-sectional shape; this makes leaner yarns than irregularly shaped standard viscose rayon.
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Lyocell
Comfort factors
More absorbent than cotton
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Care factors
May be laundered or dry cleaned; easy to iron But gradually fibrillate on abrasion in wet state Produced by Acordis and Lenzing AG. More costly than viscose rayon
Soybean protein fibre (SPF) is produced from the residual cake after oil is extracted from soybean seeds.
Soybean seeds
SPF fabrics have cashmere feel but is softer and smoother than cashmere.
The elastic recovery rate is 55.4% where for other fibres it is 60-70%. Good colour fastness