Lyocell

Lyocell
Lyocell
Lyocell fiber (U.S. brand name Tencel) is another type of regenerated cellulose fiber
made from wood pulp. BISFA (Bureau International pour la Standardisation des Fibres
Artificielles or International Bureau for Standardization of Man-Made Fibres) defines
lyocell as a cellulose fibre obtained by a spinning process from an Organic solvent, where
“organic solvent” means essentially a mixture of organic chemicals and water and “solvent
spinning” means dissolving and spinning without the formation of a derivative.
Lyocell rayon fiber is produced by directly dissolving cellulose into the solvent N-
methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). Lyocell rayon is a new generation of regenerated
cellulose fiber with environmentally friendly processing and improved fiber properties.
Current production of lyocell fiber however is still limited, at less than 5% of the rayon
fiber market.
Lyocell (lyo from Greek: lyein = dissolve, cell from cellulose)
Lyocell Basic properties of NMMO are:
N
• Chemically produced from N methyl morpholine
and hydrogen peroxide
• Its chemical formula is – C5H11N2O
M • Molecular weight – 115.2

• Melting point – 1700C
• NMMO is hygroscopic and forms hydrates
M
O
Lyocell
Production Procedure:
Preparation of wood pulp

 The starting material for lyocell and viscose are the same, i.e. wood pulp, but the
manufacturing processes are different.
 For manufacturing the high quality of lyocell fibers, pulp in the range of 100 - 1000
units DP (degree of polymerization) are required.
 The tree like Eucalyptus, pine tree and very recently bamboo are used. The tree (an
extremely fast growing resource requires low water and virtually no pesticide inputs to
grow) is cut to 20 ft. (6.1m) lengths and debarked.
 Next, the logs are fed into a chipper; a machine that chops them into squares (1"x 1").
 The wet pulp is washed with water, and may be bleached for improving whiteness.
Then, it is dried.
Lyocell
Lyocell
Dissolving cellulose
 These squares are loaded into a heated, pressurized vessel filled with the 76 - 78%
N- Methylmorpholine N-oxide solution with water, which is recycled in a “closed
loop” spinning process conserving energy and water.
 Dissolution of cellulose in NMMO is done at 120°C (temperature more than 125-
130°C being unsafe for NMMO), resulting in a highly viscous solution.
Filtering
 The solution is passed through filters.

 Impurities are materials such as pulp feedstock, undissolved pulp fibres or sand
and ash (inorganic compound).
Lyocell
Spinning (dry jet wet spinning)

 Solvent spinning system is used for producing lyocell.
 The filter solution is pumped through spinnerets, pierced with small holes.
 When the cellulose is forced through it, long strands of fibres come out.
 These fibres are then immersed in another solution or spin bath containing diluted
NMMO
Lyocell
Regeneration of solvent
Recycling of the solvent consists of two stages –
 The ion exchange process – includes treating the solution with cation and anion
exchange resins to remove contaminants.
 The washing water is evaporated. The water vapors are condensed which again is
used for washing the spun fibres. The aqueous solution of NMMO remains at the
bottom is returned to the beginning of the process for dissolving the cellulose.
 At higher temperatures NMMO decomposes. For this reason, propyl gallate is
added as an antioxidant-stabilizer.
Lyocell
Advantages of NMMO process
Process utilises materials that are environmentally clean and recycling of the solvent is
an internal part of the process.
 Apart from environmentally friendly the NMMO process for the production of
cellulosic fibres is potentially more cost effective and faster than the viscose process.
Lyocell process take up to three hours to produce fibres compare to 40 hours in the
case of viscose process.
Lyocell
LYOCELL FIBER APPEARANCE
Lyocell fiber has a close to circular

cross-section. Its longitudinal surface is
very smooth and cylindrical without
any striation. Lyocell rayon fiber is
different from viscose rayon in fiber
shape and appearance, and this
differentiation allows lyocell rayon
fabrics to exhibit better fabric feel and
drape.
Lyocell
Properties:
 Tenacity: 4.8-5.0 gpd in dry state ,4.2-4.6 gpd in wet state

 Elongation: 14-16 % in dry state, 16-18 % in wet state.
 Moisture regain: 11%
 Cellulose DP: 500-600
 Cross-section: Round
 Can be hand washable
 Good drapability
 Biodegradable
 Soft, strong, absorbent
 Sensitive to acids.
 Resistant to mild alkalis
Lyocell
Advantages of Tencel Fiber:
 Eco print : Made from the natural cellulose found in wood pulp. The fiber is economical in
its use of energy and natural resources and fully biodegradable.
 Moisture absorbent: This fiber has natural breathability and 50% greater moisture
absorption than cotton.
 Heat capacity & Thermoregulation: Water has a high heat capacity. Fibers which contain
water will also have a high heat capacity. This can be used to help the human body’s
temperature regulation. Tencel fiber always contain water.
 Anti-bacterial: Due to its moisture management , tencel is also anti-bacterial.
 Great for sensitive skin: Tencel fiber has incredible wicking abilities which keep the skin
dry, making tencel a great fabric for sensitive skin. Tencel combines good water absorbency
with a smooth fiber surface which make it a fiber which is very gentle to the skin.
 Durable: This super fiber can hold up to a beating when both wet and dry and is most
conveniently resistant to wrinkles.
Lyocell
Disadvantages of Tencel fiber:
 Tencel will shrink after its first washing but retain its shape after that.
 Tencel is more expensive than most eco fabric alternatives.
Lyocell
Applications
 Used in fine quality clothes, blouses, stacks, jackets, jeans, shirts and
sportswear
 Technical fabrics in which high strength along with high absorption is required
 Filtration media for oil and automotive industries, medical hygiene
applications.
 Also used in cigarettes due to tar retention
 Used to make wet wipes
 Manufacture of medical swabs and gauges
 Battery separation and coating substrates
 Being biodegradable it is used for making disposable clothing
 To spun strong open yarn for various type of industrial fabrics like conveyer
belts and home furnishings
 It is first fibre after cotton to be used to create the authentic denim looks.

Lyocell

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Lyocell

M • Molecular weight – 115.2

Preparation of wood pulp

 The solution is passed through filters.

Spinning (dry jet wet spinning)

Lyocell ﬁber has a close to circular

 Tenacity: 4.8-5.0 gpd in dry state ,4.2-4.6 gpd in wet state

Disadvantages of Tencel fiber:

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