Regenerated Fiber (Viscose)
Module 4
Introduction
o Viscose fiber is the oldest and first successful
commercial man-made fiber. It is the naturally
regenerated cellulosic fiber that can be made from
naturally occurring cellulosic based material. (such as
cotton linters, wood pulp etc.).
o Viscose process discovered in 1891 and commercial
production of fiber started in 1905. it is named after
the nature of spinning solution.
o It can be found in cotton-like end uses as well as silk-
like end uses.
o Due to its fine silk-like properties, it is also known as
“Artificial Silk”.
Conversion From Wood to Fiber
Chemistry of Viscose Fiber
Viscose Fiber Production
1. Preparation of Wood Pulp
o Trees (spruce or eucalyptus) are
cut into pieces and treated with
calcium bisulfite [Ca(HSO3)2].
o Chips are cooked with steam for
14 hours to convert into pulp.
o Pulp is washed, bleached with
NaOCl and converted into pulp
sheet.
2. Steeping
o Cellulose pulp is immersed in 17-20% aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at a
temperature in the range of 18 to 25°C in order to swell the cellulose fibers and to
convert cellulose to alkali cellulose.
o Alkali cellulose sheets are squeezed mechanically to remove excess caustic soda.
(C6H10O5)n + nNaOH —> (C6H9O4-ONa)n + nH2
3. Shredding
Alkali cellulose is cut into very small pieces by a pair of blades to increase
their surface area and to facilitate the chemical reaction in the next process.
These pieces are called white crumbs.
4. Ageing
White crumbs are allowed to stand in contact with the oxygen for 1 3 days to
get the desired DP. During ageing, depolymerization takes place and the DP
falls from 850 to 350.
5. Xanthation
The aged white crumbs are placed in a rotating hexagonal churn to react
with CS2 for 3 hours to form yellow crumb and the color changes into
reddish orange.
6 . Mixing and Dissolving
o The yellow crumb is mixed with 3% NaOH solution for 4-5 hours to give an orange
color viscous solution called viscose.
o The large xanthate substituents on the cellulose force the chains apart, reducing
the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and allowing water molecules to solvate and
separate chains, leading to solution of the cellulose molecules.
7. Ripening and Blending
oThe viscose solution is allowed to store for 2-5 days under vacuum to
achieve a stable viscosity.
oThe redistribution of the xanthate groups take place and viscosity of the
solution falls and then rises. Different batches of solution are and
pigments/delustrants blended are added if required.
8 . Filtration and Deaeration
Filtration and deaeration of the spinning solution must be done prior to
spinning to remove any fine solid particles or air bubbles that might
disrupt the spinning of process.
9. Wet Spinning and Stretching
o Extruded through the spinneret into a bath containing 18% Na 2 SO 4 (coagulant),
10% H2SO4 (regenerating agent), 1% ZnSO4 (modifier), 2% glucose (plasticizer) and
69% water at 40-55°C where cellulose is regenerated in fiber form.
o The filaments are stretched up to 200% while they are still wet to improve
strength.
10. Washing and Purification
o Fiber contain salts and water soluble impurities.
o In batch process, the filaments are wound into a cake in Topham box. The cakes
are washed, desulfurized with Na2S, bleached with NaOCl and then again washed
with water.
o In continuous process, the filaments are passed through advancing rolls and
washed with spray.
11. Drying and Packing
o The washed and purified filaments obtained in the batch process are dried, wound
onto bobbins and packed.
o In case of continuous process, purification and bleaching of fiber are performed
later during the wet processing stage.
o Fibers are made in filament or staple form.
Physical Properties
Low strength (cN/tex): 22-26 (dry), 10-15 (wet).
High elongation: 25% (dry), 30% (wet).
Specific gravity: 1.52
Moisture Regain: 13%
Chemical Properties
Acids: damaged by strong acids, moderate resistance against weak acids.
Alkali: good resistance to weak alkali but strong alkali cause damage.
Bleaching: strong oxidizing agents damage the fiber.
Organic solvents: good resistance to solvents.
Dyes: direct, vat and sulfur dyes.
End Uses
Mainly used in apparel and technical textiles areas.
In most apparel uses it is blended with other fibers.
High absorbency made it suitable for hygienic disposables.
Because of its thermal stability, the HT version is the main product
used in Europe to reinforce high speed tires.
Thank
You