Tencel or lyocell fabric | Properties, manufacturing process, Environmental impact | Uses

 

Tencel fiber

Tencel fabric

Tencel or lyocell is a fabric made from wood from the eucalyptus tree. Tencel fibers are made from eucalyptus wood pulp that is melted and cut into fibers but woven together to create an extremely strong yet smooth fabric. This fabric is called Tencel fabric. It is a durable fabric, which regenerates from wood cellulose. It is like rayon and bamboo, both regenerated fabrics. However, the Tencel is one of the eco-friendly regenerated fabrics for several reasons. Its fibers are grown sustainably.

Tencel fabric

History of Tencel fabric

The lyocell process was developed in 1972 by a team at the current American Enka Fiber Company in Enka, North Carolina. In 2003, the development was recognized by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists as the Henry E. Milson Award for discovery. The operating name of the fiber inside the Enka company was Newcell. Courtaulds Fibers in Coventry, UK, and Fiber at a pilot plant in Grimsby, UK, were added in the 1980s. The process was first commercialized in 1992 at the Alabama Mobile, Courtaulds Rayon Factory, and in 1998 at the Grimsby Plant. Courtaulds was acquired in 1998 by Akzo Nobel, a subsidiary of the Tencel division under the Accordis banner, to sell to private equity. In 2000, CVC sold the tensile division to Lenzing AG, which linked it to their "Lenzing Lyocell" business but retained the brand name Tencel.

Properties of Tencel fabric

i. Tencel fabric is stronger than any other cellulosic fibers fabric, especially when wet

ii. It is easy to process into yarns and fabrics alone or in blends

iii. It is easy to blend with other fiber

iv. It is easy to spin to fine-count yarns

v. It is very stable in washing and drying

vi. It is thermally stable

vii. It is easy to dye deep vibrant colors

viii. It is capable of taking the latest finishing techniques to give a unique drape

ix. It is comfortable to wear

x. It is soft, strong absorbent, lightweight, breathable, comfortable

xi. It is fibrillated during wet processing to produce special textures

xii. It has high wet and dry strength, it is stronger than Cotton and Wool.

xiii. It has wrinkle-resistant properties

xiv. It is a very versatile fabric, dyeable to vibrant colors, with a variety of effects and textures.

xv. It can be hand washable

xvi. It Simulates silk, suede, or leather touch

xvii. It has a good drape ability

xviii. It is biodegradable

xix. It is possible for high yarn counts can be spun

xx. It is resistant to sunlight, abrasion, and aging

xxi. Its hand-feel is similar to rayon

The manufacturing process of Tencel fabric

Hardwood chips like eucalyptus are used as the raw material of cellulose used in making this fabric. The trees used for this purpose usually grow on managed tree farms. Once the trees have reached the facility of Tencel production they are broken into chips and loaded into a vat of chemical digesters, which softens the chips in the decor. This pulp is washed in water and bleach can also be used to sanitize it. After that, it is dried on a sheet and it turns into spools. Most cellulose rolls are plentiful and weigh about 500 pounds.

These sheets are then divided into squares about an inch across and these squares are placed in pressurized and heated vats of amine oxide which is the primary solvent used to make lyocell fabric. Once the cellulose has dissolved in the clear liquid it is filtered and pumped through the spinnerets. It is forced through the spinneret, turning the cellulose into long, thin fibers. The resulting fibers are immersed in a vat of mixed amine oxide for blending and then they are washed in demineralized water.

Environmental impact of Tencel fabric

Tencel fabric is a highly eco-friendly and biodegradable fabric that is produced by Lenzing Fibers, headquartered in Austria. Compared to cotton, in particular, Tencel fabric has a significantly lower environmental impact, requiring 10 to 20 times less water and no pesticides. In addition to the environmental aspects of Tencel, it is also a superior fabric in terms of wearability. It is a hypoallergenic, odor-resistant, itch-free, and incredibly soft fabric. This is a great option for you if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

Uses of Tencel fabric

i. Tencel fabric is used in Professional business wear, Leotards, Hosiery, Casual wear, Upholstery, Window-treatment fabrics, Filters, Printers' blankets, Specialty papers, Medical dressings, Conveyer belts for strength & softness, Botanic Tencel beds.

ii. It is used in many everyday fabrics.

iii. It is used in clothes like denim, chino, underwear, casual wear, and towels.

iv. It is used in items that have a silkier appearance like women's clothing and men's dress shirts.

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