Fiber Definitions — textile fibers, yarn fibers and fiber properties from Apparel Search
Acetate can refer to cellulose acetate, especially fibers or other derived products. Cellulose acetate, or acetate rayon fiber (1924), is one of the earliest synthetic fibers and is based on cotton or tree pulp cellulose. It was invented by two Swiss brothers, Doctors Camille and Henri Dreyfus, who developed a commercial process to manufacture cellulose acetate in 1905, and in 1924 the first commercial acetate filament was spun in the United States and trademarked as Celanese. The Federal Trade Commission defines acetate fiber as a manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is cellulose acetate.
Acetate can refer to cellulose acetate, especially fibers or other derived products.
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 motion picture 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.
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 triacetate may be used as a generic description of the fiber."
Acetate is derived from cellulose by deconstructing wood pulp into a 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 esters. 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".
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.
First U.S. Commercial Acetate fiber Production: 1924, Celanese Corporation
Current U.S. Acetate fiber Producers: Celanese Acetate, Eastman Chemical Company
| The above article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/acetate). 10/31/04 |
| Textile & Clothing definitions and Glossaries: |
Production begins with cellulose itself. The anhydroglucose unit is the fundamental repeating structure of cellulose and carries three hydroxyl groups, which can react to form acetate esters. 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 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. Once formed, cellulose acetate is dissolved in acetone into a viscose resin and extruded through spinnerets, which resemble a shower head. As the filaments emerge, the solvent evaporates in warm air in a process called dry spinning, producing fine cellulose acetate fibers. The first United States commercial acetate fiber production was in 1924 by the Celanese Corporation, and the current United States producers named for the fiber are Celanese Acetate and Eastman Chemical Company.
Acetate is both cellulosic and thermoplastic, and that pairing explains most of its behaviour. It can be easily bonded with plasticizers, heat and pressure, and it shows selective absorption and removal of low levels of certain organic chemicals. It is soluble in many common solvents, especially acetone and other organic solvents, and can be modified to be soluble in alternative solvents, including water, which is why care products and cleaning fluids matter around acetate garments. It is hydrophilic: acetate wets easily, with good liquid transport and excellent absorption, so in textile applications it provides comfort and absorbency, but it also loses strength when wet. The fibers are hypoallergenic, have a high surface area, resist mold and mildew, and are made from a renewable resource, reforested trees, so acetate can be composted or incinerated. Against those strengths, acetate is easily weakened by strong alkaline solutions and strong oxidizing agents. It can usually be wet cleaned or dry cleaned and generally does not shrink, which is why it has held its place in linings, blouses, dresses and occasion wear where drape, comfort against the skin and a smooth finish matter more than ruggedness.
Acetate is derived from cellulose. Wood pulp is deconstructed into a purified fluffy white cellulose, which is reacted with acetic acid and acetic anhydride in the presence of sulfuric acid, then put through controlled partial hydrolysis to give the product its desired properties.
Acetate does not accept the dyes ordinarily used for cotton and rayon, so special dyes and pigments are required. That limitation also allows cross-dyeing, where acetate and another fiber in the same cloth take different colours from one dye bath.
Major uses include apparel such as blouses, dresses, linings and wedding and party attire, home furnishings such as draperies, upholstery and slip covers, and high absorbency products including diapers, surgical products and other filters.