Cellulose acetate is a renewable and biodegradable substance derived from wood pulp that can be used in various manufacturing processes, including synthetic fibers for clothing, magnetic computer tape, absorbent surgical dressings, adhesives, and plastic items. The acetylation process was discovered in 1865 and patented in 1894. Cellulose acetate fiber has benefits such as softness, breathability, resistance to shrinkage, hypoallergenic qualities, and resistance to mold. Its demand has decreased due to the discovery of polyester fibers.
Cellulose acetate is an artificial substance derived from the organic compound found in nature: cellulose. Cellulose is the main structural ingredient of plants and is generally considered the most common organic compound on Earth. Cellulose acetate is produced from wood pulp by a purification process. It is a renewable and biodegradable substance, providing an economical source of quality fiber that can be used in many manufacturing processes.
In addition to its importance as a synthetic fiber, particularly for use in the garment industry, cellulose acetate has a number of other applications. These include magnetic computer tape, absorbent surgical dressings, and some types of adhesives. Cellulose acetate film is also used in photography. The fiber made from this substance is sometimes confused with cellulose triacetate, which is a similar compound that contains a higher percentage of cellulose. Cellulose acetate propionate is another similar substance used in the manufacture of a variety of plastic items such as eyeglass frames, blister packs and plastic handles such as those on cutlery or tools.
Commercial production of this compound is usually done by treating cellulose in the form of wood pulp with various chemicals. Chief among them is acetic acid. Acetic anhydride is also usually used in the treatment, together with sulfuric acid. This process is called acetylation, and at the molecular level, the hydrogen atoms of cellulose molecules are replaced by acetyl groups, a carbon-based molecular group. After acetylation, the substance can be dissolved and then spun into its fibrous form to produce the final textile product.
The acetylation process was discovered as early as 1865 by a chemist named Paul Schützenberger, who was working in France. However, it wasn’t patented as an industrial process until 1894, by Charles Cross and Edward Bevan in the UK. From the 1920s onwards, cellulose acetate entered commercial production.
When used for clothing, this fiber is soft and supple, drapes well and allows the skin to “breathe”. Some other benefits of this type of fiber include its resistance to shrinkage when washed, its hypoallergenic qualities, and its resistance to mold and some mildews. In modern production lines, these fibers are often blended with other substances such as cotton, silk, nylon or wool. The demand for cellulose acetate fiber has decreased in recent years due to the discovery of various polyester fibers.
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