Producing Rayon Filament

• A liquid substance of cellulose is forced through a metal cap

or nozzle about the size of a thimble.
• The nozzle is called spinneret because it performs same
functions as the silk worms spinneret.
• The cap is made of platinum-rhodium alloy because the metal
is not affected by acid & alkalis
• It is perforated with small holes which is almost invisible with
naked eyes
• Through each of tiny hole the filament is extruded which is
solidified by a liquid bath as it comes from the spinneret
• The number of holes in the spinneret ranges from 1-20,000
and filaments of equal size are simultaneously produced.
Methods Of Processing
1.Pot or Box spinning
2.Spool spinning
3.Continuous process
Physical Properties
• Strength- the tensile strength of viscose rayon is greater than that of wool,
weaker than cotton & linen, only half as that of silk, strength is reduced 40-70%
when wet.
• Elasticity – viscose rayon has greater elasticity than cotton or linen but less than
wool or silk.
• Resilience- viscose rayon lacks the resilience nature and creases readily.
• Drapability –viscose rayon possesses a marked quality of drapability it is relatively
heavyweight fabric.
• Heat conductivity-good conductor of heat and therefore appropriate for summer
clothing
• Absorbency-viscose rayon is one of the most absorbent of all textiles
• Effect of heat- it can withstand heat upto 140c and starts to decompose at 177c
 Chemical Properties
• Effect of acids-disintegrated by hot dilute and cold concentrated acids
• Effect of alkalis- concentrated solutions of alkalis disintegrate viscose
rayon
• Effect of sunlight-viscose rayon has good resistance towards sunlight,
if prolonged it will lead to deterioration and yellowing
• Effect of insects-rayon attacked by silverfish
• Effect of mildew- it has tendency to mildew effect
 Acetate Rayon
• Cotton linters or wood chips are converted into sheets of pure cellulose
• The cellulose is steeped into glacial acetic acid and aged for a period of
time under controlled temperature
• After aging it is thoroughly mixed with acetic anhydride
• A small amount of sulphuric acid is added as a catalyst to facilitate a
reaction producing thick, clear liquid solution of cellulose acetate
• After further aging this dope, as it called , it is mixed with excess amount of
water to cause white flakes
• The flakes are dried and dissolved in acetone and filtered several times to
remove impurities
• White spinning solution is obtained
Physical Properties
• Strength- acetate is not strong fibre and it weaker than any rayon and
in fact one of the weakest textile fibres
• Elasticity- more elastic than any rayon but much less than that of silk
• Resilience – acetate is more wrinkle resistant than any other rayon
• Drapability – they have good body flexibility so they drape very nice
• Absorbency – not very absorbent ( umbrella, shower curtains & rain
coats )
• Effect of heat – it is thermoplastic
• Effect of sunlight- more resistant to light than cotton or other rayon
Chemical Properties
• Effect of acids- more resistant to acids , decomposed by concentrated
solutions of strong acids
• Effect of alkalis- concentrated solutions of alkalis disintegrate alkalis
• Effect of insects – moths , carpet beetles will not attack acetate
• Effect of mildew – highly resistant to mildew