Acetate fabric is very soft and has a luxurious look like silk. It has an excellent drape-ability. The fabric dyes and prints well. It does not absorb moisture readily but dries fast. It is resistant to shrinkage, moth and mildew. It has no pilling problem and very little static problem. 'Triacetate' is an improved fabric, which does not melt easily and is easy to take care.
Acetate fabric is made from the cellulose obtained by deconstructing cotton or wood pulp. It was invented by Doctors Camille and Henri Dreyfus, Swiss brothers. In 1905, both of them developed commercial process to manufacture cellulose acetate. It was then mostly used in celluloid plastics and motion picture film. By 1913, their experiments in the laboratory produced samples of continuous filament acetate yarn. In the year 1924, first time, the acetate filament was commercially spun in United States and was trademarked as Celanese.
Characteristics of Acetate Fabric
•It is crisp or soft touch.
•It dyes and prints well.
•It drapes well.
•It is shrink, moth, and mildew resistant.
•It is of low moisture absorbency and relatively fast drying.
•It has little static problem.
•It has no pilling problem.
Uses of Acetate Fabric
•The major end use of acetate fabric worldwide is linings. It provides comfort against the outer shell. It takes up moisture and body oil from the body. It is also used as wedding and party attire, blouses, dresses, etc.
•In home furnishings, it is widely used as draperies, upholstery, curtains, bedspreads and slipcovers.