acetate

Cellulose acetate is a natural compound which derives from the fibres in cotton 'bolls' or wood pulp. It is manufactured from purified natural cellulose. Natural cellulose of the appropriate properties is derived primarily from two sources, cotton linters and wood pulp. (Wood: 50% Source: Cellulose % (avg) Cotton: 90%)

Properties:

Cellulose acetate is made by extracting cellulose fibers from cotton and wood pulp to create a transparent paste.

Due to their high levels of cellulose, wood or cotton are both excellent sources which are cultivated, refined and mixed with acetic acid to make the sheet material, cellulose acetate.

This paste can then be colored, processed, and molded for a variety of industrial applications. Blocks of Cellulose acetate can be cut into sheets.

cellulose acetate is used in textiles for the manufacture of shirts, trousers, curtains, absorbent medical dressings and even cigarette filters. Its used for hard products such as glasses, tool handles, hair combes, photographic film, playing cards and the original lego brick.

Strong, lightweight and flexible
Cellulose acetate fibres are hypoallergenic
High surface area
Made from wood pulp, a renewable resource
Can be composted or incinerated
Resistant to mold and mildew
Easily weakened by strong alkaline solutions and strong oxidizing agents
Can usually be washed or dry cleaned; generally does not shrink
It is generally known that secondary cellulose acetate (with 53 to 56% acetyl groups) is suitable for thermoplastic processing.

Applications:

Acetate is easily turned, cut by hand or machine, shaped and sanded. It is easily bonded with plasticizers, heat, and pressure. Cellulose acetate can be dyed, however special dyes and pigments are required since acetate does not accept dyes ordinarily used for cotton and rayon (this also allows cross-dyeing)

Sustainability:

Cellulose acetate is made out of renewable and biodegradable materials. This means that the supply needed to make it can be replenished.

Cellulose acetate can be recycled. However, there are few facilities available at present.

In principle, with such a degree of substitution is biodegradable, although degradation proceeds extremely slowly.

In 1997 Research gate tested the degradation time. A cellulose acetate cup was left in waste sewage for a period of 18 months. During which time, the cup lost 70% of it’s original weight. Whilst it didn’t fully disappear within the 18-month period, a 70% mass reduction is a promising rate of degradation

Made into acetate, it still retains this biodegradability, with a slower rate of decomposition.

Material Handling:

Protective Equipment:

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