RAYON

Generic name for a semisynthetic fiber composed of regenerated cellulose as well as man- ufactured fibers composed of regenerated cellulose in which substituents have replaced not more than 15% of the hydrogen of the hydroxyl groups. Rayon was first made

An artificial fiber formed from wood pulp (cellulose). There are two types. Viscose rayon is made by dissolving the cellulose in carbon disulfide and sodium hydroxide. The solution is forced through a fine nozzle into an acid bath, which regenerates the fibers. Acetate rayon is made by dissolving cellulose acetate in an organic solvent, and forcing the solution through a nozzle. The solvent is evaporated, and the cellulose acetate thus obtained as fibers.

rayon: textile made from cellulose.There are two types, both madefrom wood pulp. In the viscoseprocess, the pulp is dissolved in carbondisulphide and sodium hydroxideto give a thick brown liquidcontaining cellulose xanthate. Theliquid is then forced through finenozzles into acid, where the xanthateis decomposed and a cellulose filamentis produced. The product is viscoserayon. In the acetate process cellulose acetate is made and dissolvedin a solvent. The solution isforced through nozzles into air,where the solvent quickly evaporatesleaving a filament of acetate rayon.

Nonwoven fabrics, surgical dressings, mechan- ical rubber goods, coated fabrics, felts and blankets, blends with cotton for home furnishings, etc.

Rayon, the first commercial manmade fiber, is composed of cellulose in a quite pure form. It is produced by the treatment of wood pulp with alkali and carbon disulfide to form a viscous solution of cellulose xanthate. This viscous solution, called viscose, is extruded through spinnerets into an aqueous acid bath that coagulates the cellulose xanthate, decomposes it, and regenerates the cellulose.Rayon fibers are easily wetted by water and provide easy access to dye molecules. Dyeing may take place by absorption or by reaction with the hydroxyl groups. Rayon fibers may also be dyed with mordant and vat dyes.