Acetate fabric is very soft and has a luxurious look like silk. It has an
excellent drape-ability. The fabric dyes and prints well. It does not absorb
moisture readily but dries fast. It is resistant to shrinkage, moth and
mildew. It has no pilling problem and very little static problem.
'Triacetate' is an improved fabric, which does not melt easily and is easy
to take care.
Acetate fabric is made from the cellulose obtained by deconstructing cotton
or wood pulp. It was invented by Doctors Camille and Henri Dreyfus, Swiss
brothers. In 1905, both of them developed commercial process to manufacture
cellulose acetate. It was then mostly used in celluloid plastics and motion
picture film. By 1913, their experiments in the laboratory produced samples
of continuous filament acetate yarn. In the year 1924, first time, the
acetate filament was commercially spun in United States and was trademarked
as Celanese.
Characteristics of Acetate Fabric
- It is crisp or soft touch.
- It dyes and prints well.
- It drapes well.
- It is shrink, moth, and mildew resistant.
- It is of low moisture absorbency and relatively fast drying.
- It has little static problem.
- It has no pilling problem.
Uses of Acetate Fabric
- The major end use of acetate fabric worldwide is linings. It provides
comfort against the outer shell. It takes up moisture and body oil from
the body. It is also used as wedding and party attire, blouses, dresses,
etc.
- In home furnishings, it is widely used as draperies, upholstery,
curtains, bedspreads and slipcovers.
