Cuprammonium rayon

Merriam-Webster defines Cuprammonium rayon as "a rayon made from cellulose dissolved in cuprammonium solution".^[1]

It is produced by making cellulose a soluble compound by combining it with copper and ammonia. The solution of this material in caustic soda is passed through the spinneret and the cellulose is regenerated in the hardening baths that remove the copper and ammonia and neutralize the caustic soda. Cuprammonium rayon is usually made in fine filaments that are used in lightweight summer dresses and blouses, sometimes in combination with cotton to make textured fabrics with slubbed, uneven surfaces.^[2]

The fabric is commonly known by the trade name "Bemberg", owned by the J.P. Bemberg company. The fabric may also be known as "cupro" or "cupra". Also as "ammonia silk" on Chinese fashion retail websites.

Properties

There are many properties of cuprammonium rayon ^[3]

• Very fine
• Produce a soft silk like handle
• Has same properties as cotton except the average DP is lower, and a larger part of this fibre is occupied by amorphous region.
• It burns rapidly and chars at 180 deg C.
• On ignition, it leaves behind ash containing copper.

Production

Cellulose is dissolved in [Cu(NH₃)₄](OH)₂ solution and then regenerated as rayon when extruded into sulfuric acid.

References

1. "cuprammonium rayon". Retrieved December 1, 2011.
2. "Rayon Fiber". Retrieved December 1, 2011.
3. "Properties of Cuprammonium Rayon". Retrieved December 1, 2011.