Process of making cellulose acetate tow

1. A process for making a cellulose acetate tow comprising the steps of:

spinning a dope comprising a solution of cellulose acetate and solvent,

taking-up the as-spun cellulose acetate filaments,

lubricating the cellulose acetate filaments,

forming a tow from the cellulose acetate filaments,

plasticizing the tow with a plasticizer consisting of water,

crimping the tow after plasticizing the tow,

drying the crimped tow, and

baling the dried crimped tow.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the water being de-mineralized water.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein plasticizing the tow being preformed at least one half meter before the tow enters a crimper.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein plasticizing the tow being preformed at least one meter before the tow enters a crimper.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein plasticizing the tow further comprises an application rate of less than 300 cc/mm at line speeds of 200-1,000 meters per minute for a tow of 10,000 to 100,000 total denier.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein plasticizing the tow further comprises an application rate ranging from 25 to 200 cc/mm at line speeds of 200 - 1,000 meters per minute for a tow of 10,000 to 100,000 total denier.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein plasticizing the tow further comprising using a spool-type guide.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein plasticizing the tow further comprising using a pair of spool-type guides.

9. The process of claims 7 or 8 wherein the spool-type guide having a hole through which a plasticizer is dispensed.

10. The process of claims 7 or 8 wherein the spool-type guide having a tow contacting surface being flat or curved.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein the curved surface being concave, convex, wavy, or concaved/convexed.

12. The process of claims 7 or 8 wherein the spool-type guide being flanged or flangeless.

13. The process of claims 7 or 8 wherein the spool-type guide being ceramic or ceramic coated.