Textile Fiber

Rayon and its variants

Subject: Textile Chemistry
Submitted to: Falguni Mam
Submitted By : Sana Foda
Introduction :
Rayon, commonly known as viscose, is a semi-synthetic fiber derived
from natural sources of regenerated cellulose, such as wood and
associated agricultural products. It is marketed as sabra silk or cactus
silk in some places.

Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulosic fiber. It is the first man-

made fiber. It has a serrated round shape with smooth surface. It loses
30–50% of its strength when it is wet. Rayon is produced from naturally
occurring polymers and therefore it is not a synthetic cellulosic fiber. The
fiber is sold as artificial silk.

Rayon is the oldest fiber, is the regenerated cellulose fiber with a wide
spectrum properties. Cellulose is to be one of the most useable natural
polymers worldwide. It is biodegradable and renewable polymer. The
common sources for industrial purpose are wood pulp and cotton lint.
The original name for viscose was rayon, and it was created as far
back as 1855.
.
Microscopic Structure :

Rayon Fibres Microscope Analysis :

• Smooth surface and amorphous structure.
• Transparent appearance and uneven diameter allow light to
pass through.
• Cross-sectional form can vary, multilobed, uneven, or round.
• Microscopic analysis reveals silk-like properties, softness,
flexibility, and absorbency.
• Highly sought-after material in textile sector.
The longitudinal appearance of regular viscose rayon exhibits
uniform diameter and interior parallel lines called striations. In
cross section view, viscose fiber shows highly irregular or
serrated edges.
 chemical Structure :
• The chemical structure of rayon closely resembles that of
natural cellulose found in plants.
• It consists of long chains of glucose molecules linked together.
However, in rayon production, these cellulose chains undergo
chemical processing through methods like the viscose,
cuprammonium, or lyocell processes to dissolve the cellulose
and form a solution. This solution is then extruded through
spinnerets to create fibers.
• The primary chemical component of rayon is cellulose, which
provides its biodegradability and affinity for absorbing moisture.
• Unlike natural cellulose, rayon's structure may have alterations
or modifications due to the manufacturing process employed,
affecting its physical and performance characteristics.
Nonetheless, its cellulose-based composition retains
properties like softness, breathability, and versatility, making it a
popular choice in various textile applications.
• The degree of polymerization is 500, which is much lower and
shorter than that of natural occurring cellulose. The viscose
rayon polymer arrangement is more amorphous (65%) than
crystalline (35%) because of the relative short polymers.
Raw Material used :
Rayon is a very soft and comfortable material used in our daily lives. It is mixed with
artificial fibers to make it soft and usable. Here are some of the components used in
the preparation of rayon:
1. Cellulose
Rayon is prepared by breaking down Cellulose, which is produced from wood pulp or
cotton linters and is the main raw material for rayon.
2. Caustic Soda
Purified cellulose sheets are aged in metal containers for two to three days after being
steeped in caustic soda, dried, and then shredded into crumbs to create rayon. The
metal containers are meticulously regulated for humidity and temperature.
3. Carbon Disulfide
Carbon disulfide, a colorless, extremely combustible, and deadly liquid, is employed
as a solvent to create rayon fibres.
4. Sulfuric Acid
When sulfuric acid is added to a cellulose solution in cuprammonium hydroxide, the
cellulose precipitates out of the mixture. A complicated copper compound combines
with sulfuric acid and dissolves. In rayon, tiny blue fibres are created.
5. Sodium Sulfate
It is a waste product from rayon manufacturing and is used to make detergent and
other chemicals.
6. Water
Used to dissolve and dilute the process's chemical components.
Manufacturing Process :
1. Steeping :Cellulose pulp is steeped in 17-20% NaOH at 18-25°C to swell
cellulose fibers and convert it to alkali cellulose.

2. Pressing : To obtain an accurate alkali to cellulose ratio, the swollen alkali

cellulose mass is pressed to a wet weight equivalent to 2.5 to 3.0 times the
original pulp weight.

3. Shredding :The mechanical shredding of pressed alkali cellulose produces

fluffy crumbs, increasing its surface area and enhancing its reaction
capabilities in subsequent steps.

4. Aging : The alkali cellulose is aged under controlled conditions between 18

and 30°C to depolymerize it to the desired degree, reducing the average
molecular weight of the original pulp by two to three factors to obtain a
viscose solution with the desired concentration.

5. Xanthation : The process involves aging alkali cellulose crumbs in vats,

reacting with carbon disulphide to form cellulose xanthate. This reaction
produces an orange color and a viscose solution, which is then dissolved in
dilute sodium hydroxide, forming the manufacturing process. The viscose is
then filtered and deaerated.
6. Ripening : Viscose ripens through two processes: redistribution and loss of xanthate groups. The reversible xanthation reaction
enables some xanthate groups to revert to cellulosic hydroxyls and free CS2. This CS2 can escape or react with other hydroxyls,
breaking down ordered regions and achieving a more complete solution. Loss of CS2 reduces cellulose solubility and aids filament
regeneration.
7. Filtering : The viscose is filtered to eliminate undissolved materials that could disrupt the spinning process or cause defects in the
rayon filament.

8. Degassing : The removal of air bubbles in viscose is crucial before extrusion to prevent the formation of voids or weak spots in the
fine rayon filaments.

9. Spinning : Viscose rayon filament is produced by metered viscose solution into a spin bath containing sulphuric acid, sodium
sulphate, and zinc sulphate. The cellulose xanthate is neutralized and acidified, allowing rapid coagulation of rayon filaments. The
cellulose xanthate is then stretched and decomposed to regenerated cellulose. This process is crucial for achieving desired tenacity
and properties of rayon. The rate of decomposition and fiber formation is controlled by sodium and zinc sulphates. The viscosity of
the fiber is determined by the degree of crystallinity and orientation. Standard viscose with 32% CS2 is spun into an aqueous acid
salt spin bath at 40-50oC, with spinning speeds up to 120m/min.
10. Drawing : The stretching of rayon filaments and the orientation of cellulose chains along the fiber axis create inter-chain hydrogen
bonds, enabling the filaments to be used as textile fibers.

11. Washing : Regenerated rayon contains salts and water-soluble impurities that require removal through various washing techniques.

12. Cutting : If the rayon is to be used as staple (i.e., discreet lengths of fiber), the group of filaments (termed “tow”) is passed through a
rotary cutter to provide a fiber which can be processed in much the same way as cotton.
 Physical Properties
1 . Strength: The tensile strength of viscose rayon is greater than
that of wool, but is only about half as great as that of silk.
2 . Elasticity: Viscose rayon has greater elasticity than cotton or
linen but less than wool or silk.
3 . Drapability: Viscose rayon possesses a marked quality of
drapability because it is relatively a heavyweight fabric.
5 . Heat Conductivity: Viscose rayon is good conductor of heat
and is therefore appropriate for summer clothing.
6 . Absorbency: Viscose rayon is a one of the most absorbent of all
textiles. It is more absorbent than cotton or linen.
7 . Cleaning and Washability: Because of its smoothness viscose
rayon fibre helps to produce hygienic fabric that shed dirt. Some
viscose rayon fabrics wash easily and depending on the finish that
may be given to them.
8 . Shrinkage: Viscose rayon fabrics tend to shrink more than cotton
fabrics of similar construction.
9 . Affect of Heat: Since viscose rayon is a pure cellulose fibre ,it
will burn in much the same manner as cotton.
Chemical Properties
1 . Effect of Acid: Similar to cotton fibre. Viscose rayon is attacked by
hot dilute or cold concentrated mineral acids(H2SO4,HCl) which
weaken and disintegrate the fibre.
2 . Effect of Alkalis: Like cotton, Viscose rayon has a high degree of
resistance to dilute alkalis. Strong solutions of alkali cause swelling
with loss of tensile strength.
3 . Effect of Bleach: Viscose rayon is sensitive to oxidizing agents
such as high-strength hydrogen peroxide. As a result the bleaching of
regenerated cellulose fibres may not always necessary before dying.
4 . Action of Microorganisms: Microorganisms (moulds, mildew,
fungus, bacteria) affect the colour, strength, dyeing properties and
lustre of rayon. Clean and dry viscose rayon is rarely attacked by
moulds and mildew.
5 . Effect of Iron: Viscose Rayon is attacked with iron in the form of
ferrous hydroxide weakens the yarns. Therefore staining, marking or
touching of rayon to iron or iron surface should be avoided.
6 . Action of Solvents: Textile solvents can be used on Viscose rayon
without any deteriorating effect.
 Thermal Properties

• High Moisture Absorption and Retention: Rayon absorbs and retains moisture, influencing its thermal
conductivity and cooling properties.
• Heat Sensitivity: Rayon fibers are heat sensitive, prone to damage from high temperatures.
• Low Heat Resistance: Rayon has a lower melting point, making it more susceptible to heat damage.
• Moderate Thermal Insulation: Rayon provides warmth in cooler temperatures, but loses heat retention
properties in damp conditions.
• Ironing and Care: Use a low to medium heat setting when ironing rayon to prevent damage.
Types of rayon fibres :
Popular types of rayon fibre include:
1. Viscose Rayon
The most widely used type of rayon fibre is viscose, created
from wood pulp. It is frequently used to make dresses, shirts,
and other apparel because of its soft and silky feel.
2. Polynosic Rayon
These fibres are stretched to an extremely high degree (up to
300%) during processing, which gives them an exceptionally
high degree of orientation. They have a distinctive fibrillar
structure, strong dry and wet strength, modest elongation (8
to 11%), only moderately high water retention, and extremely
high wet modulus.
3. Lyocell Rayon
Eucalyptus trees create Lyocell rayon's soft and silky texture.
It is frequently used to create textiles for homes and
garments.
4. High Wet Modulus Rayon
Using natural cellulose fibres that have undergone
chemical treatment to make them stronger when
wet, high wet is called modulus rayon fabric. It is
commonly used in products like towels and
bathrobes where the fabric comes into contact with
moisture.
5. Cuprammonium Rayon
Cuprammonium rayon is created by dissolving
cellulose fibres in a copper and ammonia
solution. Due to its softness and opulent feel, it is
frequently used in textiles for apparel and household
items.
6. Bamboo Rayon
A soft and long-lasting fabric called bamboo rayon
is manufactured from bamboo pulp that has
undergone chemical treatment. Because it is
hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and
environmentally friendly, it is used in clothing and
bedding.
X-RAY DIFFRACTION AND FTIR SPECTRUM
 references

❑ textilelearner.net/rayon-fiber-types-properties/

❑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayon

❑ Book – Textile Science

Thank you….