Towards regenerated cellulose fibers with high toughness

Abstract The production of sustainable and high-performance fabrics requires high mechanical strength the individual (staple) fibers. Although Ioncell fibers already exhibit higher fiber than commercial man-made cellulose or cotton fibers, we further aimed to increase both toughness gradually approach synthetic in these properties. Decisive factors for achievable properties were pulp purity, concentration spinning solution length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio cylindrical part spinneret. absence low molecular weight fractions combination with an increased average had highest impact on achievement toughness. Using a spinneret L/D ratio, it was possible spin tensile 925 MPa (61.5 cN/tex) modulus 83.3 (55.5 J/g). According fluid dynamic simulation, uniformly longer chains capillary promoted effective alignment molecules inside before entering airgap, thus creating conditions simultaneous elongation i.e. fiber. Mechanistically, is caused by structural parameters longitudinal direction, particular tilt angle, periodicity lamellar plane lower micro void orientation. In summary, have developed lyocell-type toughness, which can potentially be used as surrogate Graphic abstract