Cellulosic Fibers: Types, Properties and Uses

What are Cellulosic Fibers?
Cellulosic fibers are defined as fibers containing cellulose as the major polymeric substance. Cellulosic fiber is a type of fiber made from cellulose, a natural polymer that is found in plants and serves as a structural component of plant cell walls. These fibers are used in a variety of applications, including textiles, papermaking, and building materials. They are valued for their strength, durability, and sustainability. Cellulosic fibers can be obtained from the stem, leaf or seed of a plant. By far the most important of these is cotton, obtained from the seed. Other important cellulosic fiber types such as flax, jute, ramie, bamboo and hemp are bast fibers.

Cellulose is the most abundant of all naturally organic polymers, with thousands of millions of tonnes being produced by photosynthesis annually throughout the world. Cellulosic fibers may be obtained naturally or man-made. However, natural cellulosic fibers are easily obtained from plants. Cotton is a fiber that grows on the seeds of cotton plants, and is therefore called seed fiber. Fibers obtained from the stems of plants are called bast fibers, examples of which are flax (linen fiber), ramie and jute. Leaf fibers are obtained from the leaves of plants, e.g., sisal and pina fibers.

List of Cellulosic Fibers:
Here is list of cellulosic fibers:

1. Cotton
2. Linen
3. Rayon
4. Lyocell
5. Modal
6. Tencel
7. Bamboo
8. Hemp
9. Jute
10. Abaca
11. Soy
12. Corn
13. Sorghum
14. Wheat
15. Kenaf
16. Pineapple
17. Ramie
18. Flax
19. Nettle

Types and Classification of Cellolusic Fibers:
There are several types of cellulosic fibers, which can be broadly classified into two categories:

1. Natural cellulosic fibers &
2. Regenerated cellulosic fibers

A. Natural cellulosic fibers:
Natural cellulosic fibers are fibers that are derived directly from plants and are not chemically altered. Here are some common types of natural cellulosic fibers:

Here is the some of the most commonly used natural cellulosic fibers:

a) Cotton: Cotton is a soft and absorbent fiber that is obtained from the seeds of the cotton plant. It is widely used in the production of clothing, home textiles, and industrial fabrics.

b) Linen: Linen is a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the stem of the flax plant. It is often used in the production of tablecloths, napkins, bed linens, and industrial fabrics.

c) Hemp: Hemp is a strong and versatile fiber that is obtained from the stem of the hemp plant. It is often used in the production of clothing, rope, paper, and building materials.

d) Bamboo: Bamboo is a soft and absorbent fiber that is obtained from the pulp of the bamboo plant. It is known for its environmental sustainability and is often used in the production of clothing and home textiles.

e) Jute: Jute fiber is a strong and durable that is obtained from the stem of the jute plant. It is often used in the production of burlap, twine, and other industrial fabrics.

f) Abaca: Abaca is a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the leaf sheath of the abaca plant. It is often used in the production of rope, twine, and paper.

g) Flax: It is also a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the stem of the flax plant. It is often used in the production of linen and other industrial fabrics.

h) Ramie: Ramie is a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the stem of the ramie plant. It is often used in the production of clothing, twine, and other industrial fabrics.

i) Nettle: Nettle is a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the stem of the nettle plant. It is often used in the production of clothing and other industrial fabrics.

j) Kenaf: Kenaf fiber is obtained from the stem of the kenaf plant. It is a strong and durable fiber. Kenaf is often used in the production of paper, building materials, and other industrial fabrics.

k) Pineapple: Pineapple leaf fiber is a soft and absorbent that is obtained from the leaves of the pineapple plant. It is often used in the production of clothing and home textiles.

l) Sorghum: Sorghum is a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the stem of the sorghum plant. It is often used in the production of building materials and other industrial fabrics.

m) Wheat: Wheat fiber is obtained from the straw of the wheat plant. It is often used in the production of building materials and other industrial fabrics.

n) Corn: Corn is a strong and durable fiber that is obtained from the stalks of the corn plant. It is often used in the production of building materials and other industrial fabrics.

o) Soy: Soy is a soft and absorbent fiber that is obtained from the residue of soybean oil production. It is often used in the production of clothing and home textiles.

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B. Regenerated cellulosic fibers:
Regenerated cellulosic fibers are fibers that are created by chemically dissolving cellulose and then regenerating it into fibers. These fibers are produced by dissolving cellulose in specific solvents and regenerating by precipitating in an aqueous medium. It was the first man-made fiber used in the textile industry and in the early days of its development had the popular name “artificial silk.” Physical and chemical properties of natural and regenerated fibers vary, which depend on nature of the source and method of regeneration. Viscose rayon, cuprammonium rayon, and acetate rayon were amongst the first-generation regenerated cellulose fibers. A relatively recent entry to the rayon family is Lyocell, trade named Tencel, which is produced from Nmethylene morpholine oxide (NMMO).

Here are some common types of regenerated cellulosic fibers:

1. Rayon: Rayon is a soft and absorbent fiber that is often used as a substitute for silk.
2. Lyocell: It is a soft and drapable fiber that is known for its resistance to wrinkles and environmental sustainability.
3. Modal: Modal is also a soft and absorbent fiber that is often used in the production of clothing and home textiles.
4. Tencel: Tencel fiber is a soft and absorbent fiber that is known for its environmental sustainability and resistance to wrinkles.
5. Viscose: Viscose is a soft and absorbent fiber that is made from the cellulose of wood pulp. It is known for its high absorbency and softness, but it can be less durable than other regenerated cellulosic fibers.

Properties of Cellulosic Fibers:
Cellulosic fibers have a number of properties that make them suitable for a variety of textile applications. Some of the most notable properties of cellulosic fibers include:

1. Softness: Cellulosic fibers are known for their soft, smooth, and silky texture, making them comfortable to wear and touch.

2. Absorbency: These fibers are highly absorbent, meaning they can soak up moisture quickly, making them ideal for use in clothing and home textiles.

3. Comfort: They are lightweight, breathable, and have a comfortable feel against the skin, making them ideal for use in clothing.

4. Durability: Although cellulosic fibers are soft and comfortable, they can also be durable, making them ideal for use in a variety of textile applications.

5. Environmental sustainability: Cellulosic fibers are made from natural materials, such as wood pulp or cotton, which are renewable resources.

6. Versatility: These fibers can be dyed, printed, and finished in a variety of ways, making them suitable for a wide range of textile applications, from clothing and home textiles to industrial fabrics.

7. Affordability: Compared to other natural fibers, cellulosic fibers are generally more affordable, making them accessible to a wider range of consumers.

Uses of Cellulosic Fibers:
Cellulosic fibers are used in a variety of applications due to their softness, absorbency, and versatility. Some of the most common uses of cellulosic fibers include:

1. Clothing: Cellulosic fibers are commonly used in the production of clothing due to their softness and comfort against the skin. They are also absorbent, making them ideal for use in clothing that is designed to wick moisture away from the body. They are used in a wide range of clothing items, including shirts, pants, dresses, and underwear.

2. Home textiles: These fibers are often used in the production of home textiles, such as bed sheets, towels, and tablecloths, due to their absorbency and softness.

3. Industrial fabrics: Cellulosic fibers are also used in the production of industrial fabrics, such as filters and protective coverings, due to their durability and strength.

4. Medical textiles: They are used in medical textiles, such as bandages and surgical gowns, due to their absorbency and softness.

5. Packaging materials: Cellulosic fibers are also used in the production of packaging materials, such as shipping envelopes and boxes, due to their strength and durability.

6. Personal care products: These fibers are often used in the production of personal care products, such as facial tissues and wipes, due to their absorbency and softness.

7. Carpeting: They are also used in the production of carpeting due to their durability and comfort.

References:

1. A Novel Green Treatment for Textiles: Plasma Treatment as a Sustainable Technology By Chi-wai Kan
2. Handbook of Textile Fiber Structure | Volume 2: Natural, Regenerated, Inorganic and Specialist Fibers Edited by S.J. Eichhorn, J.W.S. Hearle, M. Jaffe and T. Kikutani
3. Chemical Management in Textiles and Fashion Edited by Dr. Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu
4. Principles of Spinning: Fibers and Blow Room Cotton Processing in Spinning by Ashok R. Khare
5. An Introduction to Textile Coloration: Principles and Practice By Roger H. Wardman

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