Skin/core micro-structure in viscose rayon fibres analysed by X-ray microbeam and electron diffraction mapping

The skin/core morphology of viscose fibres was analysed by X-ray microbeam diffraction applied to individual fibres and by electron diffraction on lon gitudinal fibre cross-sections, Both techniques yield position-resolved dif fraction maps which reveal that (1) the cellulose molecules are far better aligned in the fibre skin than in their core and (2) there is no significan t difference between skin and core concerning both mean crystallite size an d crystallinity. Comparing the X-ray microbeam diffraction with electron di ffraction techniques there is a clear advantage for X-ray experiments as th ey lead to quantitative results on individual fibres without the necessity of elaborate specimen sectioning and handling. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.