Fabrication and Characterization of Zein/Viscose Textibe Fibers

Azlons are increasingly concerned for their excellent performance properties and biodegradation. A kind of novel azlon, zein/viscose textibe fibers, were fabricated by wet-spinning of zein and cellulose sulfonate blended solution. Some parameters that determine the fabrication process were optimized. The structure and properties of zein/viscose fibers were characterized, and compared with those of common viscose fibers. Dry breaking tenacity of zein/viscose fibers was 2.02 CN/dtex, whereas dry breaking elongation was 16.6%. Mechanical properties of zein/viscose fibers were a little better than common viscose fibers. The moisture regain rate of zein/viscose fibers was 14.1%, similar to that of viscose fibers. From the microstructure of zein/viscose fiber, viscose acted as framework and zein was accreted to viscose. The content of protein was 14.48% in zein/viscose fibers. The basic chains of zein and viscose were not changed by blended spinning, so the fibers had advantages of both zein and viscose. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 3364-3370, 2010