Cellulose triacetate, also known simply as triacetate, is manufactured from cellulose and acetate. Triacetate is typically used for the creation of fibres and film base. It is similar chemically to cellulose acetate, with the distinguishing characteristics being that in triacetate, according to the Federal Trade Commission definition, at least "92 percent of the hydroxyl groups are acetylated". During the manufacture of triacetate the cellulose is completely acetylated whereas in regular cellulose acetate or cellulose diacetate, it is only partially acetylated. Triacetate is significantly more heat resistant than cellulose acetate. Cellulose as polymer of β-D-glucose Cellulose in 3D Cellulose (C6H10O5)n is a long-chain polymeric polysaccharide carbohydrate, of beta-glucose [1][2]. It forms the primary structural component of green plants. ... Acetate, or ethanoate, is the anion of a salt or ester of acetic acid. ... For the meaning of fiber in nutrition, see dietary fiber. ... Film base is a transparent substrate which acts as a support medium for the photosensitive emulsion that lies atop it. ... Cellulose acetate, first prepared in 1865, is the acetate ester of cellulose. ... FTC headquarters, Washington, D.C. The Federal Trade Commission (or FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act. ...

History

Triacetate was first produced commercially in the U.S. in 1954 by Celanese Corporation [1]. Mitsubishi Rayon Corporation is the only company that still produces the fiber. 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Eastman Kodak also manufactured Cellulose Triacetate. they discontinued this product on 3/15/07.

Production

Triacetate is derived from cellulose by combining cellulose with acetate from acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The cellulose acetate is dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol for spinning. As the filaments emerge from a spinneret, the solvent is evaporated in warm air, in a process known as dry spinning, leaving a fibre of almost pure triacetate. Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound best recognized for giving vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. ... Acetic anhydride, also known as ethanoic anhydride, is one of the simplest of acid anhydrides. ... Dissolving table salt in water This article is about a chemical solution; for other uses of the term solution, see solution (disambiguation). ... Dichloromethane or Methylene chloride is a chemical compound widely used as a solvent for organic materials. ... Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH. It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol (ethyl alcohol). ... Spinning refers to several activities: For the fabrication of thread, see Spinning (textiles). ... A spinneret is a spiders silk spinning organ. ... Evaporation is the process whereby atoms or molecules in a liquid state (or solid state if the substance sublimes) gain sufficient energy to enter the gaseous state. ...

A finishing process called S-Finishing or surface saponification is sometimes applied to acetate and triacetate fabrics using a sodium hydroxide solution. This removes part or all of the acetyl groups from the surface of the fibres leaving them with a cellulose coating. This reduces the tendency for the fibres to acquire static. Saponification of a lipid with potassium hydroxide. ... Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye or caustic soda, is a caustic metallic base. ... Acetyl is the radical of acetic acid. ... Static electricity is a class of phenomena involving the net charge present on an object; typically referring to charged object with voltages of sufficient magnitude to produce visible attraction, repulsion, and sparks. ...

Chemistry

CAS number 9012-09-3 CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences and alloys. ...

As a Fibre

Triacetate fibres have a crenular[2] cross section.

Characteristics

• Shrink resistant
• Wrinkle resistant
• Easily washable
• Generally washable at high temperatures
• Maintains creases and pleats well

Usage Scenarios

Particularly effective in clothing where crease or pleat rentention is important, such as skirts and dresses.

In the 1980's triacetate was also used with polyester to create shiny tracksuits which were very popular at the time. The material was very smooth and shiny on the outside and soft and fleecy on the inside.

General Care Tips

Always refer to individual garmet care labels

• Ironable up to 200 °C
• Pleated garments are best hand laundered. Most other garments containing 100% triacetate can be machine washed and dried
• Articles containing triacetate fibres require very little special care due mainly to the fibre's resistance to high temperatures

An iron Ironing or smoothing is the work of using a heated tool to remove wrinkles from washed clothes. ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ... Front-loading washing machine. ...

As a film

Characteristics

• Resistant to grease, oil aromatic hydrocarbons and most common solvents
• Films have hard glossy surfaces
• Excellent optical clarity
• High dielectric constant
• Easily laminated, coated, folded and die-cut

For other uses, see Solvent (disambiguation). ... The dielectric constant εr (represented as or K in some cases) is defined as the ratio: where εs is the static permittivity of the material in question, and ε0 is the vacuum permittivity. ... Bold textBold textBold textBold text // Laminate A laminate is a material constructed by uniting two or more layers of material together. ...

Usage Scenarios

• Polarizer films for LCD projectors
• Specialised overhead projector transparencies
• Specialised Photographic film
• Motion picture film
• Production of animation cels
• Packaging

This article treats polarization in electrodynamics. ... An LCD projector is a device utilized for displaying video images or data. ... An overhead projector is a display system that is used to display images to an audience. ... Overhead projector in operation, with a transparency being flashed. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Film is a term that encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. ... A cel, short for celluloid, is a transparent sheet of plastic (usually acetate) on which objects are drawn or painted for traditional, hand-drawn animation. ...

See also

• Cellulose acetate
• Vinegar syndrome

Cellulose acetate, first prepared in 1865, is the acetate ester of cellulose. ... Vinegar syndrome [= VS] is a problem with cellulose triacetate film, in which it degrades and releases a smell resembling that of vinegar. ...

References

• www.fibersource.com description of triacetate fibre
• www.islandgroup.com description of triacetate film
• Federal Trade Commission definition of triacetate
• Article on the long term archival of triacetate photographic films
• Glossary of terms relation to the manufacture of cellulose / acetate fibres