Thermo-Plasticization of Cellulose and Application for Fiber Manufacturing by Melt Spinning Process

Abstract

The utilization of biomass is a growing issue due to the anxiety about exhaustible resources. In the field of fibers and textiles, cellulose is one of the most suitable materials for apparel uses. Conventional cellulosic filaments such as viscose rayon and cellulose acetate are widely used in the world, but these filaments require harmful organic reagents and solvents during the production of the fibers. The aim of this study is to create new cellulosic fibers which can be manufactured by the melt spinning process. Thermo-plasticization of cellulose was examined by derivatization of cellulose. As a result of optimization of both the substituent and the degree of substitution, a cellulose mixed ester has been obtained which has excellent thermal flowability and mechanical properties of the fiber. Unlike the conventional cellulosic fibers which are manufactured by solution spinning with harmful solvents, melt spinning of the cellulose derivative of this study achieved a wide variety of the fiber cross section, ultra light fibers and ultra fine fibers.