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