RAYON

Rayon is a natural-based material that is made from the cellulose of wood pulp or
cotton. This natural base gives it many of the characteristics-low cost, diversity,
and comfort-that have led to its popularity and success. Today, rayon is considered
to be one of the most versatile and economical man-made fibers available. It has
been called "the laboratory's first gift to the loom,"
It is made from purified cellulose, primarily from wood pulp, which is chemically
converted into a soluble compound. It is then dissolved and forced through a
spinneret to produce filaments which are chemically solidified, resulting in
synthetic fibers of nearly pure cellulose.

Workers can be seriously harmed by the carbon disulphide used to make most
rayon. Because rayon is manufactured from naturally occurring polymers, it is
considered a semi- synthetic fiber. Specific types of rayon include viscose, modal
and lyocell, each of which differs in manufacturing process and properties of the
finished product. Today rayon is one of the most widely used fabrics in our society.
It is made in countries around the world. It can be blended with natural or man-
made fabrics, treated with enhancements, and even engineered to perform a
variety of functions

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 HISTORY
Rayon is the generic term for fiber (and the resulting yarn and fabric)
manufactured of regenerated cellulose by any one of six processes. Its importance
as a fiber lies in its versatility, and in the fact that it was the first viable
manufactured fibre.
As far back as 1664, English naturalist Robert Hooke theorized that artificial
filaments might be spun from a substance similar to that which silkworms secrete
to make silk. This was often tried by scientists in the ensuing years who sought an
"artificial silk", yet no one was to succeed until in 1855 the Frenchman did so,
George Audemars. By dipping a needle into a viscous solution of mulberry bark
pulp and gummy rubber, he was able to make a thread. While interesting from a
scientific standpoint, this process was hardly viable economically - it was very
slow, and required a great deal of skill and precision.
The first commercial synthetic fibre was produced by Hilaire de Bernigaud, Count
of Chardonnay (1839-1924) after 29 years of research, was patented in 1884, and
manufactured by him in 1889. This cellulose-based fabric known as Chardonnay
silk was pretty but very flammable, it was removed from the market.
Soon after, the English chemist Charles Frederick Cross and his collaborators
Edward John Bevan and Clayton Beadle discovered the viscose process in 1891
(1892?), Courtaulds Fibers produced the first commercial viscose rayon in 1905;
the first in the United States was in 1910 by the American Viscose Company.
Initially rayon was called "Artificial Silk', and many other names.
In 1924 a committee formed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and various
commercial associations decided upon the name "rayon". It was called "rayon" for
one of two reasons: either because of its brightness and similarities in structure
with cotton (sun = ray, -on= cotton). Or because the naming committee couldn't
find a name from the thousands entered in a contest they sponsored, and who
hoped to shed a "ray of light" on the subject (from rayon, French for ray).
In the 1860s the French silk industry was being threatened by a disease affecting
the silkworm. Louis Pasteur and Count Hilaire de Chardonnet were studying this
problem with the hope of saving this vital industry. During this crisis, Chardonnet
became interested in finding a way to produce artificial silk. In 1885 he patented

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the first successful process to make a useable fibre from cellulose. Even though
other scientists have subsequently developed more cost-effective ways of making
artificial silk, Chardonnet is still considered to be the father of rayon. For the next
forty years this material was called artificial or imitation silk. By 1925 it had
developed into an industry unto itself and was given the name rayon by the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The term rayon at this time included any man-
made fibre made from cellulose. In 1952, however, the FTC divided rayons into
two categories: those fibres consisting of pure cellulose (rayon) and those
consisting of a cellulose compound (acetate). By the 1950s, most of the rayon
produced was being used in industrial and home furnishing products rather than
in apparel, because regular rayon (also called viscose rayon) fibres were too weak
compared to other fibres to be used in apparel. Then, in 1955, manufacturers
began to produce a new type of rayon-high-wet-modulus (HWM) rayon-which was
somewhat stronger and which could be used successfully in sheets, towels, and
apparel. The advent of HWM rayon (also called moditied rayon) is considered the
most important development in rayon production since its invention in the 1880s.

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 TYPES OF RAYON
There are four major types or modifications of rayon. Understanding each type
should help clarify differences in product performance.
Regular rayon has the largest market share. It is typically found in apparel and
home furnishings and identified on labels by the terron "viscose." The
distinguishing property of regular rayon is its low wet strength. As a result, it
becomes unstable and may stretch or shrink when wet. Dry cleaning is usually
recommended to preserve the appearance of fabrics made from this fibre. If
machine washed, untreated regular rayon can shrink as much as 10 percent.
High Wet Modulus (HWM) rayon is a modified viscose that has virtually the same
properties as regular rayon, plus high wet strength. HWM rayon can be machine
washed and tumble dried and perform much like cotton in similar end uses. HWM
rayon can also be mercerized, like cotton, for increased strength and lustre. The
terms frequently used to describe HWM rayon in apparel include "polynosic"
rayon or the trade name MODALTM.
High Tenacity Rayon is a modification of "regular rayon" to provide exceptional
strength (two times that of HWM rayon). High tenacity rayon is primarily found in
tire cord and industrial end uses. It may be finished, chemically coated, or
rubberized for protection from moisture and potential loss of dimensional stability
and strength during
Cuprammonium Rayon is another type with properties similar to those of viscose
or regular rayon. The manufacturing process differs somewhat from that of
regular rayon and is less environmentally friendly. As a result, cupramonton rayon
is no longer produced in the United States. Other types of rayon have been
developed for specialized end uses. These include disposable, non-woven
markets, and high-absorption rayon fibres with moisture-holding properties for
disposable diapers, hygiene and incontinence pads, as well as medical supplies

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 PROPERTIES OF RAYON
Rayon is a versatile fibre and is widely claimed to have the same comfort
properties as natural fibres, although the drape and slipperiness of rayon textiles
are often more like nylon. It can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton
and linen. The fibres are easily dyed in a wide range of colours. Rayon fabrics are
soft, smooth, cool, comfortable, and highly absorbent, but they do not insulate
body heat, making them ideal for use in hot and humid climates, although also
making their "hand" (feel) cool and sometimes almost slimy to the touch.
The durability and appearance retention of regular viscose rayon are low,
especially when wet; also, rayon has the lowest elastic recovery of any fibre.
However, HWM rayon (high-wet- modulus rayon) is much stronger and exhibits
higher durability and appearance retention. Recommended care for regular
viscose rayon is dry-cleaning only. HWM rayon can be machine washed. Rayon
industrial yarns outperform polyester and are produced for belts in high
performance tires (e.g. Cordenka, Germany).
Viscose Rayon has a silk-like aesthetic with superb drape and feel and retains its
rich brilliant colours. Its cellulosic base contributes many properties similar to
those of cotton or other natural cellulosic fibres. Rayon is moisture absorbent
(more so than cotton), breathable, comfortable to wear, and easily dyed in vivid
colours. It does not build up static electricity, nor will it pill unless the fabric is
made from short, low-twist yarns.
Rayon is comfortable, soft to the skin, and has moderate dry strength and
abrasion resistance. Like other cellulosic fibres, it is not resilient, which means that
it will wrinkle.
Rayon withstands ironing temperatures slightly less than those of cotton. It may
be attacked by silverfish and termites, but generally resists insect damage. It will
mildew, but that generally is not a problem.
One of rayon's strengths is its versatility and ability to blend easily with many
fibres- sometimes to reduce cost, other times for lustre, softness, or absorbency
and resulting comfort.
Rayon has moderate resistance to acids and alkalis and generally the fibre itself is
not damaged by bleaches; however, dyes used in the fabric may experience colour
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change. As a cellulosic fibre, rayon will burn, but flame-retardant finishes can be
applied.

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 APPLICATIONS
Varns: Embroidery thread, chenille, cord, novelty yarns

Fabrics: Crepe, gabardine, suiting, lace, outerwear fabrics and linings for fur coats
& outerwear.

Apparel: Blouses, dresses, sarees, jackets, lingerie, linings, millinery (hats). slacks,
sport shirts, sportswear, suits, ties, work clothes.

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Domestic Textiles: bedspreads, blankets, curtains, draperies, sheets, slip covers,
tablecloths, and upholstery.

Industrial Textiles: High-tenacity rayon is used as reinforcement to mechanical

rubber goods (tires, conveyor belts, and hoses), applications within the aerospace,
agricultural and textile industries, braided cord, tapes

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 PROCEDURE
A. Preparation of Schweitzer's Solution:
a) Weigh 20g of CuSO4.5H₂O
b) Transfer that to a beaker having 100ml distilled water and add 15ml of dilute
H₂SO₄ to prevent hydrolysis of CuSO4.
c) Stir it with a glass rod till a clear solution is obtained. Add 11ml of liquor
ammonia drop by drop with slow stirring. The precipitate of cupric hydroxide is
separated out.
d) Filter the solution containing cupric hydroxide through a funnel with filter
paper.
e) Wash the precipitate of cupric hydroxide with water until the filtrate fails to give
a positive test for sulphate ions with barium chloride solution.
f) Transfer the precipitate to a beaker that contain 50ml of liquor ammonia and
wash it down the funnel. The precipitate when dissolved in liquid ammonia will
give a deep blue solution of tetra-ammine cupric hydroxide, known as
Schweitzer's solution.
B. Preparation of Cellulose material:
a) Weigh 2g of filter paper and divide it into very fine pieces and then transfer
these pieces to the tetra-ammine cupric hydroxide solution in the beaker.
b) Seal the flask and keep for 10 to 15 days, during that period the filter paper will
dissolve completely.
C. Formation of Rayon Thread:
a) Take 50ml of distilled water in a glass container. To that add 20ml of
concentrated H₂SO, by drop. Cool the solution under tap water. In a big glass
container pour some of the solution.
b) Fill the syringe with cellulose solution prepared before

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c) Place the big glass container containing H₂SO₄ solution produced before in ice
(the reaction being spontaneous results in excess release of energy in the form of
heat which makes the fibres weak and breaks them).
d) Immerse the tip of the syringe in the solution and press gently. Notice the fibres
getting formed in the acid bath. Continue to move and press the syringe to
extrude more fibres into the bath.

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 CONCLUSION

‘Through this project, I learned about Rayon and the process of manufacturing
rayon threads in laboratory, by cuprammonium process which involved the use of
filter paper

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Internet:
www.wikipedia.com
www.cbseguide.in
www.comprehensivepracticalXII.com
www.slideshare.com

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