Clearing cellulosics

The texture or crystal size of phosphate coatings can conveniently be recorded by making an impression on clear cellulose tape moistened with acetone. Uniformity of crystal size is of importance for coatings which are to resist wear and assist metal working. Surface roughness may also be studied by means of a Talysurf meter. 

Another important aspects of solubilization are the physical state of the dissolved polymer as well as the thermo-chemistry and kinetics of the dissolution reaction. It is known that a clear cellulose solution is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for the success of derivatization. The reason is that the polymer may be present as an aggregate, as will be discussed below. Additionally, dissolution of activated cellulose requires less time at low temperature, e.g., 2 h at 40 °C, and more than 8 h at 70 °C [106]. These aspects will be commented on below. 

As indicated earlier, clear cellulose solutions are not necessarily molec-ularly dispersed they may contain aggregates of still ordered cellulose molecules [107]. The structure of these aggregates has been described in terms of a fringed micellar structure. Figure 2a shows a schematic possi-... 

Screen Preparations, 100 micron thick x-ray intensifying screens were prepared using standard doctor blade coating techniques. The final phosphor volume was 50% when the coatings were dried. In most instances, the phosphor suspensions were prepared using polyvinyl butyral binders with viscosities adjusted to 2000 centipoise for the doctor blade operation and care was taken to avoid convection cell formation (9). A cross section of the screen construction is shown in Figure I. The completed screens consist of polyester (Mylar) base about 10 mil. thick, a 50 micron thick (TI02 (rutile) reflector layer, a 100 micron thick phosphor layer, a 10 micron thick clear cellulose acetate butyrate top protective layer. 

Further evidence in favour of the amorpho-crystalline texture was recently provided by Ranby [46]. In a series of his papers several questions connected with the microstructure of cellulose are made clear. Cellulose to be examined in an electron microscope was initially dispersed by means of ultrasonic waves. In this way Ranby has isolated elementary thread-like micelles of about 70 A dia. Any dimension characterizing the length of the micelle is however missing. 

A single CSP cannot be used for the chiral resolution of all racemic compounds. Therefore, different CSPs were used for the chiral resolution of different racemates. To make this part easy and clear, Table 1 includes the names of 20 CSPs and their most frequent applications. However, some other interesting applications are possible. Upon screening about 510 racemic compounds described in the literature, we observed that 229 of them resolved completely and 86 partially on cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate), and the rest not at all. For amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) CSP, we screened 384 racemic compounds and observed that 107 resolved completely and 102 partially. Clearly, cellulose and amylose tris(3,5-diphenylcarbamate) CSPs have the ability to resolve about 80% of the racemic compounds investigated. 

Although the importance of environmental factors (temperature, rela-- -tive humidity, airborne contaminants, and oxygen) that affect the fading of dyed textiles exposed to artificial and natural light indoors is well documented (1,2), relatively little information exists on the effectiveness of UV stabilizers incorporated into plastic films to minimize or retard such fading. To obtain this information, light-sensitive blue wool fabric (AATCC L-4 standard) was exposed to light from a xenon-arc source, with and without protection by clear cellulose acetate films... 

Consumer and Office Tape. Clear, cellulose acetate tape is widely used as a general-purpose office tape. Paper tapes of all types provide hand tearability and ease of printing, but are generally not used for applications where high strength is required. Strip coated labels are used as repositionable notes. 

Carbon disulfide [75-15-0] is a clear colorless liquid that boils at 46°C, and should ideally be free of hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl sulfide. The reaction with alkaU cellulose is carried out either in a few large cylindrical vessels known as wet chums, or in many smaller hexagonal vessels known as dry chums. In the fully continuous viscose process, a Continuous Belt Xanthator, first developed by Du Pont, is used (15). 

Solution Process. With the exception of fibrous triacetate, practically all cellulose acetate is manufactured by a solution process using sulfuric acid catalyst with acetic anhydride in an acetic acid solvent. An excellent description of this process is given (85). In the process (Fig. 8), cellulose (ca 400 kg) is treated with ca 1200 kg acetic anhydride in 1600 kg acetic acid solvent and 28—40 kg sulfuric acid (7—10% based on cellulose) as catalyst. During the exothermic reaction, the temperature is controlled at 40—45°C to minimize cellulose degradation. After the reaction solution becomes clear and fiber-free and the desired viscosity has been achieved, sufficient aqueous acetic acid (60—70% acid) is added to destroy the excess anhydride and provide 10—15% free water for hydrolysis. At this point, the sulfuric acid catalyst may be partially neutralized with calcium, magnesium, or sodium salts for better control of product molecular weight. 

Cellulose esters are considered nontoxic and may be used in food-contact appHcations. However, since cellulose esters normally are not used alone, formulators of coatings and films for use in food packaging should ensure that all ingredients in their formulations are cleared by the United States Food and Dmg Administration for such use. 

The sodium salt of CS [9005-22-5] is prepared by reaction of cellulose with sulfuric acid in alcohol followed by sodium hydroxide neutrali2ation (20). This water-soluble product yields relatively stable, clear, and highly viscous solutions. Introduced as a thickener for aqueous systems and an emulsion stabilizer, it is now of no economic significance. 

Uses. Cellulose nitrates with differing nitrogen contents have various appHcations (Table 3). The largest iadustrial use of CN is protective and decorative lacquer coatings. CN is soluble ia a variety of organic solvents and yields clear, tough films. CN is also compatible with many plasticizers and resias. 

Freeing a solution from extremely small particles [e.g. for optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) or circular dichroism (CD) measurements] requires filters with very small pore size. Commercially available (Millipore, Gelman, Nucleopore) filters other than cellulose or glass include nylon, Teflon, and polyvinyl chloride, and the pore diameter may be as small as 0.01 micron (see Table 6). Special containers are used to hold the filters, through which the solution is pressed by applying pressure, e.g. from a syringe. Some of these filters can be used to clear strong sulfuric acid solutions. 

Where transparency is required, a range of polymers is available. Polystyrene is the least expensive but polymethylmethacrylate has an outstanding high light transmission combined with excellent weathering properties. Also to be considered are the polycarbonates, glass-clear polyamides, SAN, butadiene-styrene block copolymers, MBS polymers, plasticised PVC, ionomers and cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate. 

Optical Properties. The optical properties of a plastic which are important are refraction, transparency, gloss and light transfer. The reader is referred to BS 4618 1972 for precise details on these terms. Table 1.9 gives data on the optical properties of a selection of plastics. Some plastics may be optically clear (e.g. acrylic, cellulosics and ionomers) whereas others may be made transparent. These include epoxy, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulphone and PVC. 

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