Overview
EFTec nanofibrillated fiber applied as a web on 3 denier polyester nonwoven.
Engineered Fibers Technology, LLC (EFT) has developed a unique product line of nanofibers called EFTec™ Nanofibrillated Fibers, which are produced from a wide range of synthetic and natural materials. These fibrillated fibers can have by count essentially all of the fiber diameters in the range of between 50 to 500 nanometers, which is the same diameter range of fibers produced by electrospinning and melt spinning of nanofibers and nanofiber webs. These fibrillated fibers are suitable for use in papermaking and other wet processes, as well as many types of dry processed engineered materials.
EFT, the recognized leader in nanofiber fibrillation technology, has historically provided fibrillated fibers from acrylic and Tencel® regenerated cellulosic materials with a wide range of fibril lengths and fibrillation levels. The addition of natural cellulose to the product line has added another dimension of value and performance to technical applications not achievable with any other nanofiber process.
Overview of EFTec nanofibrillated fibers, with a magnified view of the submicron structure (inset).
Availability
EFTec nanofibrillated fibers are available in a range of standard grades, either as a wet crumb (about 20% solids) or as an aqueous slurry (< 5% solids). Three types of precursor material are available, and all types can be produced with different fiber lengths and different degrees of fibrillation:
| Precursor | Type | Fibrillation* | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyocell | L | -010 -040 -200 | -4 -6 |
| Lyocell/Cellulose Blend | LC | ||
| Cellulose | C |
Customer specific grades are also available on request.
Typical Fibril Diameter
Fibril diameter distribution of EFTec L-200-4.