Splitting tendency of cellulosic fibers – Part 1. The effect of shear force on mechanical stability of swollen lyocell fibers

A procedure for splitting of a lyocell fiber into a multitude of finer fibrils was developed. Crockmeter, usually used for rub-fastness of colored textiles, was modified and used for obtaining required shear force on swollen lyocell fiber. The shear force applied on fibers, and the concentration of NaOH, which affects swelling degree of fiber, were shown to be the leading parameters determining split number of lyocell fiber. While number of shear cycles was found to be of minor relevance for fiber splitting, the applied pressure directly influences the number of splitted fibrils. For example, at a pressure of 34.8 kPa, the average split number of lyocell fiber in 2.5 M NaOH solution was observed as 15, whereas it was observed as 30 for 47 kPa and 41 for 59.3 kPa. Splitting was not observed above 5 M of NaOH solution. Analyses of fiber splitting permit new aspects to study inner structure of lyocell.