Multifilament fibers based on dissolution of cellulose in NaOH/urea aqueous solution: structure and properties

A wet-spinning system of cellulose multifilaments from the cellulose solution using a pilot machine was prepared and the drawing process in terms of the structure and properties of the produced filaments was studied. The cellulose filaments were regenerated directly from cellulose solution in a quasi-gel state formed mainly by physical crosslinking and residual and hydrogen-bonds. The cellulose filaments were influenced by the gelation, regeneration, and drawing, and the cellulose solution showed a unique gelation behavior, which was very sensitive to temperature, cellulose concentration, and molecular weight. The cellulose structure during the regeneration process will be improved by changing them. The multifilament fibers had a circular cross-sectional shape and a smooth surface and good mechanical properties. The orientation factor increased and tensile strength of the multifilament fibers were improved with a drawing process.