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Production and use of acetate silk. What is acetate fabric, and how is it different from acetate silk

This article focuses exclusively on fabrics acetate. Of course, not only fabrics are made from acetate, but also, for example, combs and spectacle frames.

Acetate (acetate, acetato)- artificial fabric, "related" to viscose (which, by the way, is called rayon in English). The difference between acetate and viscose is that if viscose is obtained from cellulose, then acetate is obtained from cellulose acetate (acetic acid is added to cellulose). Acetate is inexpensive, and is used mainly as lining for trousers, jackets, jackets and coats (men's, women's and children's). In addition, women's dresses and blouses are sometimes made from acetate.

A bit of history

In 1865, the chemist Paul Schutzenberger first discovered that cellulose can react with acetic acid, and that cellulose acetate is formed as a result of this reaction. In 1894, English chemists Charles Frederick Cross and Edward John Bevan patented a method for producing cellulose acetate. Acetate was actively studied and commercialized in the 1900s by the Swiss Camille and Henri Dreyfus. The Dreyfuses, by the way, also invented a synthetic blue dye - a replacement for natural indigo.

After the First World War, the production of fabrics from acetate began to develop, but at first they were unpopular. The widespread commercial use of acetate fabric began around the second half of the 1920s. By the middle of the 20th century, acetate (as well as a mixture of acetate and viscose) was already being used very actively for the production of clothing. Today it is also very popular (more often in combination with viscose, less often with cotton).

Acetate Features:

  • Good (but not excellent) wear resistance.
  • Low price.
  • Doesn't wrinkle.
  • Does not cause allergies.
  • Moderately shiny and reminiscent of silk, however, it does not look and feel as noble as high-quality natural silk or, say, cupro (bemberg). Somewhat less pleasant to wear than natural silk and cupro.
  • Much less hygroscopic (absorbs moisture worse) than viscose or cotton.
  • Dries quickly.
  • Very sensitive to heat (melts at a temperature of about 200 degrees). The acetate should be ironed at a minimum temperature, preferably from the wrong side and through the fabric.

In general, acetate is a better material for linings than polyester, but not as good as cotton. However, acetate is often used in combination with other materials; usually it is viscose or cotton. Let's say the lining might be 40% viscose and 60% acetate. This option is definitely better than 100% polyester, but definitely worse than 100% cupro (or bemberg).

I don't see the point in pointing out the manufacturers of clothing with acetate lining, since acetate is not the kind of material that is worth chasing.

This article is written within the .

Cellulose acetate was first made in Great Britain during World War I by the firm of Henry E. Camille Dreyfus, which made non-flammable varnishes for the fuselage and wings of aircraft of the time. In 1918, this company improved the technique and began to produce acetate in the form of shiny threads of rayon. Based on these experiments, various studies immediately began. After some time, many other companies began to produce a similar fiber under the general name acetate.
Properties:
Strength: it is one of the softest fibers and is very unstable to abrasion.
Elasticity: Much more elastic than any rayon fabric, but its elasticity is still limited, it is much lower than that of silk.
Plastic: weakly wrinkled, much less than fabrics of the "district" type.
Drapery: very good drapery fabric due to its flexibility and bulk.
Thermal conductivity: does not have strong thermal conductivity, it is more useful to use such a fabric in clothing and clothing linings, which is designed to retain heat.
Absorbent properties: weakly absorbs moisture, as well as fabrics of the "district" type.
Benefits: Acetate fabrics dry quickly (suitable for making umbrellas, bathing suits, bathroom curtains).
Flaws: inconvenience during extreme heat, becomes damp due to a rather low ability to absorb moisture.
Cleaning and washing: The smooth surface of acetate fabrics makes them suitable for hygienic clothing that does not attract dirt and is easy to clean. Clothing made from this fiber should not rub during the washing process, but should be gently wrinkled in water with a neutral detergent, and then wrung out lightly to remove excess water. Such fabrics dry very quickly, for this they need to be placed on surfaces adapted for drying, allowing water to drain from the fabric.
Whitening: in its original form, the fiber is white and does not need bleaching. However, if whitening is required, dilute hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite is best.
Shrinkage: it is possible to apply special treatment against shrinkage.
Temperature response: it is a thermoplastic fiber and becomes sticky at 177°C. You need to iron it with a warm iron.
Exposure to light: a more resistant fiber to light than cotton or rayon, but prolonged exposure to the sun contributes to its weakening.
Mold exposure: very resistant to its effects.
Insects: do not harm the fiber.
Interaction with alkali: concentrated alkaline solutions damage the fibre.
Coloring ability: Due to the ability of the fiber to quickly absorb moisture, special dyes have been developed for it. However, these dyes are not weather resistant. To avoid this problem, you need to dye the acetate fiber in solution.
Sweat resistance: if the acetate was not stained in solution, then the color will be damaged later.
Acetate can be mixed with:
- wool: this connection reduces the shrinkage of the fabric and does not allow the formation of "rolling" balls on the surface of the clothing.
- by area: the most used connection. Clothes wrinkle less and do not absorb moisture as much as pure acetate.

TRIACETATE

Properties:
Strength: fragile fibre.
Elasticity: the same as for acetate.
Plastic: it is one of the most suitable fibers for shaping clothes.
Drapery: the same as for acetate.
Thermal conductivity: same as acetate.
Absorption: less than acetate. Wet the fabric superficially before moisture penetrates inside. It is used for the manufacture of clothing, which must have a certain degree of water repellency.
Cleaning and washing: Triacetate fabrics are easy to wash and clean, shrink little and are much stronger when wet than acetate fabrics. They can be washed at 70°C and spun in a centrifuge.
Whitening: good reaction to bleaches.
Shrinkage: does not shrink.
Temperature response: thermoplastic fiber that becomes tacky at 300°C. If the fabric is ironed too hot, then it acquires an additional shine.
Reaction to light: more resistant than silk, rayon, acetate, opaque nylon. Used to make curtains and curtains for windows.
Mold exposure: very resistant to mold.
Insects: like acetate.
Interaction with alkali: triacetate is very stable.
Interaction with acids: triacetate is less susceptible to acid interaction than all other fibers, but concentrated solutions of strong acids destroy it.
WITH coloring ability: good.
Sweat reaction: Hardly ever.
Can be mixed with: cotton, wool, rayon.

POLYESTER

Polyester fiber consists of straight chain polymers, it is obtained from substances produced from coal, air, water and oil. These fibers are chemically replaced by 85% aromatic carboxylic acid ester, which includes the substituent terephthalate or para-hydrocybenzoate. There are three types of polyester thread: permanent yarn, structured yarn and fluffy yarn.
There are also two main types of polyester: PES and PCDT.
Properties:
Strength: polyester threads are relatively strong. PES fibers are stronger than KODEL 200 series PCDT fibers.
Elasticity: polyester fibers are not particularly elastic, except that PCDT fibers are more elastic than PES fibers. In general, polyester fibers are characterized by high tensile strength, which allows polyester fabrics not to deform too easily and not lose their shape when stressed.
Plastic: has a high dimensional stability, and PCDT type polyester has more of this ability than PES type polyester.
Drapery: satisfactory.
Thermal conductivity: Polyester fabrics conduct heat better than acrylic fabrics.
Absorption: The least absorbent fiber, this quality gives fabrics made from this fiber two advantages:
- they dry quickly, since moisture lingers more on the outer surface of the fabric, and does not penetrate inside it, this allows the use of such fabrics in the manufacture of products with water-repellent properties;
- stains almost do not form on such fabrics due to their low ability to absorb moisture.
Temperature response: polyester becomes sticky at temperatures between 200°C and 230°C. At temperatures from 230°C to 250°C, polyester begins to melt and burn.
Reaction to light: when exposed to light, the quality of the fabric does not deteriorate.
Mold exposure: does not interact.
Insects: do not damage the fabric.
Interaction with alkali: good at ambient temperature.
Can be mixed with: cotton, wool, rayon, triacetate, nylon.

Acetate fabric or acetate silk- This is a light, soft and smooth fabric of artificial origin. Acetate fabric fibers are obtained as a result of special processing of natural raw materials called cellulose acetate - cellulose waste. As a result of this processing, the resulting acetate fabric is very similar to natural silk. It is no coincidence that it is often called or acetate silk.

In addition to fabric, acetate is made from cellulose waste. Acetate and triacetate have both common properties and differences.

The name artificial silk comes from the fact that the acetate fabric is visually similar to silk and has a number of characteristics that are inherent in silk.

Acetate silk is elastic, pleasant to the touch and has the same shiny surface as silk. It is easy to wash, almost does not wrinkle and perfectly retains its shape.

When washing acetate silk, temperatures up to 30 ° C should be observed. Acetate fabric dries quickly. Like silk, this fabric does not tolerate contact with the iron.

For the first time, acetate fabric began to be made in England at the beginning of the 20th century from refined wood pulp or purified cotton fluff, unsuitable for spinning production.

Acetate fabric twice as strong as fabric. Acetate silk drapes beautifully due to its flexibility and volume. This material has the ability to transmit ultraviolet rays and weakly absorb moisture.


Due to the smooth surface of the product made of acetate, it does not attract dirt and is easy to clean.

Acetate fiber in addition to the production of fabric, acetate is part of the yarn, which goes to the manufacture of cotton, wool, mohair, and. Also, acetate fiber is used in furniture production in the manufacture of upholstery fabrics.

In its original form, acetate fiber is white and does not require bleaching. Acetate fabric is dyed in various colors and patterns with special dyes.


Acetate fabric has found its way into clothing: lingerie, blouses, dresses, swimwear, and garment linings. The ability of acetate silk to drape beautifully found its use as decorative elements and draperies: curtains and bedspreads.

The most suitable place for curtains made of acetate fabric will be rooms with high ceilings and decorated in the style of classicism. Curtains from tissue acetate(acetate silk) will be a wonderful decoration for any interior, give it a feeling of wealth and luxury, create comfort and.


Acetate (fabric) is in great demand among consumers. It has a wonderful shiny surface and is easy to care for. What caused such popularity of the above material among the population? Let's try to figure it out.

Material Description

Acetate - the fabric, the photo of which is presented in the article, is quite popular and refers to artificial. It is produced from acetylcellulose by the method of special processing of raw materials, always natural. In this they differ from synthetic materials, which are made by chemical synthesis.

Acetate is often referred to as rayon. The fabric has similar properties to this material: after all, it has the same shiny surface. But silk, unlike acetate fabric, does not dissolve in acetone.

Blackout fabric: composition of the acetate material, its properties and care

The above material consists of:

  • 15% acetate;
  • 85% polyester.

Blackout fabric is a three-layer opaque fabric, which is made of polyester and acetate fibers, with a double layer. In its external features, this material practically does not differ from drapery fabric. But items made of blackite matter have a very important unique ability. They don't let light through at all.

Therefore, the main area of ​​application of blackout fabric is the production of curtains for bedrooms. With the help of curtains made of this material, you can achieve complete blackout.

In addition, the fabric has sufficient density, so it retains heat well in the bedroom. It also reliably protects the room from drafts, as it acts as a kind of barrier. In summer, on the contrary, blackout fabric prevents the room from heating up from the sun. Therefore, curtains made of this material are able to keep cool in hot weather indoors.

Due to the fact that the above fabric is quite dense, products made from it are highly wear resistant. Curtains do not fade in the sun, since the above material is processed by the manufacturer with special substances. They also prevent other items in the room from burning out.

Care is not difficult. Photocurtains are recommended to be washed in the machine with gentle mode ("delicate wash") or by hand.

Main advantages

The main advantages of the above material:

  • appearance resembling natural silk;
  • keeps its shape perfectly, does not stretch and does not wrinkle;
  • wonderful elasticity;
  • repels dirt and poorly absorbs moisture.

Also, the advantageous properties of the acetate material include the fact that this fabric has a good drape. This, of course, is due to the fact that this matter is perfectly bent and has a remarkable volume.

It should be noted that acetate fabric is highly resistant to light. Therefore, products made from this material do not burn out.

As for mold, acetate fabric is very resistant to mold. Insects cannot harm its fibers.

Acetate fiber fabrics have firmly entered the life of modern man and deservedly enjoy great popularity. Beautiful and diverse, with excellent performance, pleasant to the touch, they compare favorably with many other materials with their low cost.

What is Acetate Fabric

Acetate fiber belongs to the category of artificial materials, as it is produced from cellulose by special treatment with chemical reagents. Unlike synthetics, obtained as a result of the synthesis of chemicals, acetate fibers are based on natural wood.

The name "acetate" comes from the Latin acetum, meaning "vinegar". Indeed, in order to obtain acetylcellulose, from which acetate will be produced in the future, it is necessary to act on cellulose with salts of acetic acid.

For the first time, acetate was obtained in Great Britain at the beginning of the 19th century by the brothers Henry and Camille Dreyfus, who used their discovery not only for the production of household goods, but also for military orders. After 1920, the Dreyfus chemists improved the technology and began to obtain acetate fiber in the form of shiny threads resembling.

At first, the production of acetate fiber clothing was hampered by the lack of a suitable dye. After its development, acetate began to be widely used both as an independent material and as an additional component in mixed fabrics.

Advantages and disadvantages of acetate silk

Like any other fabric, acetate has its advantages and disadvantages due to its properties and performance characteristics. The positive qualities of the material are as follows:

  • Due to the elasticity, which is much higher than that of viscose, acetate products keep their shape perfectly.
  • The low thermal conductivity of the material allows you to keep warm.
  • Acetate does not pass water well, dries quickly, and is not affected by mold and insects.
  • The smooth surface of the acetate fabric prevents clothes from getting dirty quickly. Things made of acetate fiber are easy to wash and require almost no ironing.
  • Lightweight and thin material allows you to create beautiful draperies.
  • Acetate fiber is easy to dye, which is a vast field of activity for designers.

Of the negative characteristics inherent in acetate fibers, the following qualities can be distinguished:

  • First of all, it should be noted low strength and resistance to abrasion, as a result of which clothes made of artificial silk wear out quickly with frequent washing and ironing.
  • Acetate products accumulate an electrical charge.
  • Acetate fabric does not absorb sweat well, so in hot weather it is not very comfortable to be in it.
  • The material is destroyed in contact with acids and alkalis, it dissolves in acetone. When working with such substances in clothing made of acetate, one must be especially careful.
  • Dyes, with which the pattern is applied to the fabric, are unstable and fade with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
  • Acetate fiber can “shrink” when washed, although recently many fabrics have been treated against shrinkage at the manufacturing stages.

Very often, it is these negative qualities of the material that repel the purchase of products from acetate. In addition, some people with hypersensitivity to artificial materials may experience an allergic reaction.


Application area

Pleasant to the touch, acetate is primarily used for light clothing. Dresses, sundresses, T-shirts of various shades look colorful and elegant in summer. In addition, effective and practical underwear is created from this material, which perfectly holds its shape and is well washed.

The finest acetate silk drapes well and gathers into tails. It is often used to make elegant bedding sets, curtains, furniture drapery, stage costumes.

Due to its low thermal conductivity, acetate is widely used as a lining material for outerwear.

Materials made from cellulose acetate repel water well and dry quickly. Thanks to these properties, they are indispensable for the production of umbrellas, curtains for bathrooms, bathing suits.

If Lycra is added to the acetate fiber, you will get an elastic fabric, which is used in models that fit the figure. Acetate fiber is usually added to silk, cotton, acrylic. From this, the properties of the mixed fabric do not deteriorate at all, but the price becomes much lower. The yarn, which contains woolen and acetate threads, does not shrink or roll. By adding acetate to, you can increase the hygroscopicity of the material.

Care rules

In order for acetate fiber products to retain their original appearance, simple rules for washing, drying and ironing should be followed.

Washing acetate silk

Acetate products are washed by hand in water at a temperature not exceeding 30 C or in a washing machine on a delicate cycle. Clothing made of this material should not rub much. It is enough to gently knead it in water with powder and squeeze it a little.

Drying

Acetate silk dries very quickly. To prevent the product from losing its shape, in no case should you use machine drying. Dry things made of acetate should be laid out on a flat surface or hung on a hanger. In addition, exposure to sunlight should be avoided.

ironing

Products made from acetate fiber require almost no ironing. If you still need to straighten the material with an iron, iron it carefully, from the wrong side, preferably through an additional fabric. Acetate is a thermoplastic fiber and at temperatures above 170 ° C melts and sticks to the surface of the iron.

With careful handling of products made of acetate, they will serve for many years, remaining bright and beautiful.

About the production of acetate fibers in the USSR: