Production, properties and applications of Cellulose Acetate

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Cellulose acetate (C6H7O2(OH)3 ), basically a chain of glucose molecules, is a heavily

useful industrial compound that is used in many important products used worldwidely everyday. It is an acetate ester also known as Cellon or Rhodoid or Zyl or Zylonite. Mostly it is used as fiber material in industries.

Production Procedure of Cellulose Acetate

-Cellulose is derived from wood pulp or linters of cotton. This is not 100% pure cellulose. Instead, it is 6-7% concentrated cellulose in water.

-In displacement and acetylation phase, firstly water or impure acetic base used to make cellulose suspension is replaced with 100% of pure acetic acid. This process is done with “displacement filter”.

-Then the suspension is sent to Acetylation kneader where acetylation takes place and dough acetic syrup is produced. This syrup is mixed with certain amount of water to avoid excessive anhydride and introduce certain amoun of water for next stage of process.

-This sough mixture is then sent for hydrolysis. After end of hydrolysis, we get Cellulose acetate with acetic acid content around 54-55 percent.

-The syrup is then precipitated as acid-resin flakes.

-The acid-resin flakes suspension is then sent into ripening rotary drum

-From ripening rotary drum, it is fed into washing rotary filter where it is filtered . The washing rotary filter is fed with water and delivers diluted acid.

-Spinning solution is then extruded through conveyer belts into a column of warm air and thus solvent is recovered.

-Recovered solvent (Dry cellulose acetate) filaments are then stretched onto cones and bobbins.

-Lastly, filaments are spun into fiber.

Properties of Cellulose Acetate

Physical Properties-Soft, smooth, natural feel.-High flexibility-High gloss

-Biodegradable-Good chemical resistivity-Moderate ability to protest friction-Good elongation at break-Protective against insects-Poor abrassive ability -Poor breaking tenacity, must be dry cleaned.

Chemical properties-Absorbs water easily, Loses strength when wet.-soluble in Acetone-Weak against strong bleaching/oxidizing agents-Soluble in Acids-Damages greatly by strong alkalis-Relieves dyes easily, needs special dyes and pigments to color it.-Easy to bond with plasticizers, heat and pressure-Can be incinerated or composted

Cellulose acetate is highly tough, deeply glossy, smooth and transparent material and feels quite natural. Due to its many beneficial characteristics it is widely used for production of many general products.

Applications of Cellulose Acetate

-Clothes : Cellulose acetate is used in manufacturing everything from clothing fabric to buttons including upholstry, slip covers etc. -Cigarette filters, -Ink reservoirs for fiber tip pens, -Inauguration ribbons, gift ribbons etc, -Surgical products, -Absorbent fibers in diapers and sanitary napkins, -Sophisticated playing cards, -Production of children toys.

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