Reducing Fibrillation Tendency of Man-made Cellulose Fibres Employing Ultrasound Treatment

The impact of 30 kHz frequency ultrasound waves on man-made cellulose fibres after a thirty-minute treatment in an aqueous medium at room temperature, was investigated. The impact of ultrasound treatment on the fibrillation tendency of viscose and lyocell fibres was determined using a modified and developed microscopic method. Based on fibrillation appearance, fibres were assessed and sorted into seven grade groups, according to the criteria for individual numerical assessments based on the fibre microscopy performed. Characteristic images of fibrillation for each fibre type were made. Fibrillation degree (D F) was calculated and fibre fibrillation tendency assessed according to the criteria established. Reduced tendency to fibrillation was recorded for all the fibres after ultrasound treatment. Investigation results of the ultrasound impact on viscosity average molecular mass of fibre samples are also presented. (Paper was presented at the 5th International Conference TEXCI 2003, Liberec, Czech Republic, June 16–18, 2003.)