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.
Acetate fiber characteristics
- cellulosic and thermoplastic
- selective absorption and removal 
of low levels of certain organic chemicals
- easily bonded with plasticizers, 
heat, and pressure 
- 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 
- 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
- acetate fibers are
hypoallergenic 
- high surface area 
- made from a renewable resource: 
reforested trees. 
- can be composted or incinerated
- 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) 
- resistant to mold and mildew
- easily weakened by strong alkaline 
solutions and strong oxidizing agents.
- can usually be wet cleaned or dry 
cleaned and generally does not shrink
Major industrial acetate 
fiber uses
- apparel: blouses, 
dresses, linings, wedding 
and party attire, home 
furnishings, draperies, 
upholstery and slip 
covers 
- high absorbency 
products: diapers, feminine 
hygiene products, cigarette 
filters, surgical products, 
and other filters
 
 
 
 
Production
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
 
 
 
 
fiber Definition
fabric Definition