A- Preliminary Report on Fully Acetylated Cotton

Abstract

Fully acetylated cotton (FA cotton), a chemically modified cellulosic fiber made from cotton and retaining its fibrous form, is described. A small-scale method of preparing a completely or nearly completely substituted product from cotton raw stock, yarn, or fabric by the application of acetic anhydride and perchloric acid catalyst in a diluent which minimizes the tendency of the product to dissolve, is reported. Its general prop erties and behavior in laboratory tests show it to have many superior properties to previ ously known cellulosic fibers, including partial acetates and triacetates. FA cotton has good tenacity, both wet and dry, and flex-abrasion endurance; it has some thermo plasticity, yet shows no sticking at ironing temperatures below 250° C.; it has low moisture regain and is dyeable with ordinary acetate colors. Work in progress m- dicates that treatment of yarn and fabric may be carried out satisfactorily in commercial- type stainless steel equipment.