Zein fiber
Description
Regenerated protein fibers made from corn and maize. Zein fibers were commercially sold as Vicara from 1948 to 1957. They were made with the crushed meal of corn and maize after the oil was extracted. The meal is dissolved in an alkali bath then forced through spinnerets to form fine fibrils that were hardened with Formaldehyde. Fabric made from zein fiber is soft, tough and strong and has the warmth of wool. It is resistant to mildew, insects, sunlight, and temperatures to 140 C. Vicara was usually blended with Cotton, Wool, or rayon. It was used in suits, sweaters, blankets and pile fabrics.
Synonyms and Related Terms
zein fibre; Vicara [Virginian-Carolina Chemical]
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Soluble in hot alkaline solutions
- Insoluble in water, dilute acids and most organic solvents
- Fibers are smooth with a circular cross section
- Tenacity = 1.2 g/denier (dry); 0.65 (wet)
- Elongation 25-35%; (wet); 30-45% (dry)
- Moisture regain = 10%
- Melting Point = 185 (dec)
- Density = 1.25
Hazards and Safety
Does not burn easily.
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990
- Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
- Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles, Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996
- J.Gordon Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:II Man-made Fibres, Merrow Publishing Co., Durham, England, 1984. p.141.