FROM WIKIPEDIA

Cellulose acetate, synthetic compound derived from the acetylation of the plant substance cellulose.
Cellulose acetate is spun into textile fibres known variously as acetate rayon, acetate or triacetate. It
can be moulded into solid plastic parts such as tool handles or cast into for photography or food
wrapping, though its use in these applications has dimished.

https://cdn.britannica.com/42/15442-004-A7BAB156.jpg its the structure of the cellulose.

Properties[edit]
Acetate is a very valuable manufactured fiber that is low in cost and has good draping
qualities[attribution needed]. Acetate is used in fabrics such as satins, brocades, and taffetas to accentuate
luster, body, drape and beauty.

 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 cleaned
 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][10]
Characteristics[edit]

 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 wood pulp, a renewable resource
 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 washed or dry cleaned; generally does not shrink

Products[edit]
 Apparel: buttons, linings, blouses, dresses, wedding and party attire, home furnishings,
draperies, upholstery and slip covers.

 Eyeglass frames are commonly made with cellulose acetate.

 Industrial uses: cigarette filters and other filters, ink reservoirs for fiber tip pens.

 High absorbency products: diapers and surgical products.

 The original Lego bricks were manufactured from cellulose acetate from 1949 to 1963.

 Award Ribbon: Rosettes for equestrian events, dog/cat shows, corporate awards,
advertising and identification products all use cellulose acetate ribbon.

 Playing cards may be made of cellulose acetate.

 Toys.

FROM OTHER WEBSITE

ACETATE FIBERS
 PROPERTIES
 Acetate fibers are one of the principal types of synthetic fibers. The
fiber forming substance is cellulose acetate in which at least 92% of
the hydroxyl groups are acetylated. This fiber is calledtriacetate or
triacetate cellulose. Secondary acetate contains only about 76
percent acetylated cellulose groups. The diacetate fiber is officially
called acetate while the triacetate cellulose is called triacetate.

 Conventional secondary acetate fibers can be manufactured by

treating wood pulp, cellulose or cotton linters with acetic acid. The
pretreated cellulose or secondary acetate is converted to
triacetate when treated with acetic anhydride in the presence of an
acid catalyst.
 Acetate fibers, the so-called acetate silk fibers, are molded from
solutions of cellulose acetate in organic solvents, usually a mixture
of methylene chloride and alcohol (triacetate), or acetone
(secondary acetate).

 Acetate fibers are soft and pleasant to the touch. They are dyed
only with special types of dyes, which are unsuitable for most other
fibers. Triacetate fibers are less hygroscope and have a greater
elasticity and wrinkle resistance than articles made of diacetate
fibers.

 The tensile strength of acetate fibers is rather low. The loss of

strength upon moist testing is up to 45 percent for acetate fibers
and up to 20 percent for triacetate fibers.

 Acetate fibers have a low thermal stability. For this reason, articles
made of acetate fibers have to be ironed through a damp cloth.
Furthermore, acetate fibers have a low stability in the presence of
dilute solutions of alkalis. Other disadvantages of acetate fibers
include low durability and high tendency to gather static electricity.
To offset or remedy these deficiencies, acetates are often
chemically modified or blended with other fibers.

 Cellulose acetate fibers can be de-acetylated by sodium hydroxide

saponification under controlled conditions. The product is a true
regenerated cellulose filament. This process was developed by
Celanese who called the fiber “Fortisan”. The fibers generic name is
Rayon. It has outstanding strength and low elongation and finds
many industrial uses where these two properties are required.

 
 FIBER PROPERTIES
Tensile Strength (Tenacity) Fair to Poor

Abrasion Resistance Poor

Absorbency Fairly Good

Static Resistance Fair

Heat Resistance Fair to Poor

Wrinkle Resistance Fair to Poor

Resistance to Sunlight Fair to Poor

Elasticity Poor (Similar to Rayon)

Flame Resistance Slowly Combustible

Resilience Poor

 
 COMMERCIAL CELLULOSE
ACETATE FIBERS
 Major manufacturers of acetate fibers
are Celanese, Eastman, Viscocel, and Mitsubishi Rayon.

 
 APPLICATIONS
 Acetate fibers are mainly used in the production of general
consumer articles including clothing, lining, felts, upholstery,
carpets, umbrellas, and cigarette filters. The staple acetate fibers
are also used as partial substitutes for wool in the manufacture of
fine fabrics and various kinds of knitwear, for example, to reduce
fiber / fabric shrinkage, to improve wrinkle resistance, and to lower
raw material costs.