Comparison of the structures and properties of lyocell fibers from high hemicellulose pulp and high α-cellulose pulp

Lyocell fibers were produced from a cheap pulp with a high hemicellulose content and from a conventional pulp with a high alpha-cellulose content. The mechanical properties, supermolecular structure, fibrillation resistance, and dyeing properties as well as the fibril aggregation size of the high hemicellulose Lyocell fiber and high a-cellulose Lyocell fiber were compared. The results showed that the high hemicellulose spinning solution could be processed at a higher concentration, which improved the mechanical properties and the efficiency of the fiber process. Compared with the high a-cellulose Lyocell fiber, the high hemicellulose Lyocell fiber had better fibrillation resistance and dyeing properties. Therefore, it is feasible that this cheap pulp with a high hemicellulose content can be used as a raw material for producing Lyocell fibers. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.