Viscose rayon steeping

Fig. 12.6. Steeping of cellulose in the manufacture of viscose rayon. (Courtesy Avtex Fibers, Inc.)...

Another way to achieve rapid depolymerization is to irradiate the cellulose with a beam of accelerated electrons [146-148]. In this case, the time required for the depolymerization is of the order of seconds. This technology has been investigated as a means to eliminate the need to age alkali cellulose in the viscose process, and rayon has been successfully made from irradiated pulp [149,150]. The process, however, has not been adopted by the industry because, like double steeping, material handling poses special requirements. 

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