{"id":627,"date":"2019-04-06T10:41:16","date_gmt":"2019-04-06T09:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.contrado.co.uk\/blog\/?p=627"},"modified":"2024-03-05T11:20:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T11:20:34","slug":"what-is-viscose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.contrado.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-viscose\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Viscose? 6 Facts About This Misunderstood Fabric"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fabric comes in all shapes, sizes, weights, and constructions. It can be natural, synthetic, or manufactured. Some fabrics<\/a> have more stigma than others. In this blog post, we will be asking the question; what is viscose? A textile, which might be a little misunderstood. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What is viscose and where did it come from?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you have heard of viscose<\/a>, or maybe you know it better as Rayon. This is the term for viscose in the United States. But what actually is it?<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"viscose<\/a>
What is viscose?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Viscose<\/a> is a type of rayon. Originally known as artificial silk, in the late 19th<\/sup> century, the term \u201crayon<\/em>\u201d came into effect in 1924. The name \u201cviscose<\/em>\u201d derived from the way this fibre is manufactured; a viscous organic liquid used to make both rayon and cellophane<\/em>. What this means in English? Viscose is the generalised term for a regenerated manufactured fibre, made from cellulose, obtained by the viscose process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a manufactured regenerated cellulose fibre, it is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) – it falls somewhere in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viscose\u00a0is a low-cost fabric<\/a>, which is popular thanks to its myriad of qualities. It can be found in cotton end uses, as well as luxurious velvet’s and taffeta’s. Viscose\u00a0can also be found in feminine hygiene products, as well as tire cords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemically, viscose<\/a> resembles cotton, but it can also take on many different qualities depending on how it is manufactured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what is this fibre of many faces? To really understand what viscose is, we need to understand how it is made and what it is made from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. What is cellulose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"cellulose<\/a>
Cellulose fibre which is turned into viscose fabric<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If a fibre is manufactured, then it is made from cellulose or protein. Cellulose is a carbohydrate and the chief component in the walls of plants. There is a difference between synthetic and manufactured fibres, which makes a difference in their sustainability. Viscose<\/a> is made from wood pulp, making it a cellulosic fibre, like cotton or linen. It is often regarded as only partially manmade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manufactured fibres derive from naturally occurring cellulose, or protein, while synthetic fibres do not \u2013 they are completely manmade. So, if they come from a natural source, then why don\u2019t they fall under the \u201cnatural fibre<\/em>\u201d category? Because they require extensive processing to get to the finished result. Therefore, the category of manufactured fibres is often referred to as \u201cregenerated cellulose<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Is viscose a sustainable fabric?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because viscose is made from renewable plants, it is frequently cited as being environmentally friendly, and sustainable. But is this actually the case?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viscose<\/a> is the oldest manufactured fibre, first being produced in 1883 as a cheap alternative to silk. Viscose production generally begins with wood pulp, and there are several chemical and manufacturing techniques to make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where some controversy comes into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To create viscose, and make it stand up to regular wearing and washing, it must be chemically treated. The recycled wood pulp is treated with chemicals such as caustic soda, ammonia, acetone, and sulphuric acid. We therefore have a fabric<\/a>, which comes from a natural and sustainable source, but that is made with chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because viscose is made from cellulose, there is an argument to say that it is a more sustainable fibre then other synthetic fibres, such as polyester. Viscose<\/a> is increasingly being manufactured using the Lyocell process. This uses N-Methlymorpholine N-oxide as the solvent. This method produces little waste product, making it far more eco-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. What are some characteristics of viscose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"what<\/a>
Viscose fabric, also known as Rayon<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Viscose<\/a> has a myriad of brilliant qualities, which makes it a popular fibre to work with. Thanks to its characteristics, several industries use it, to create a wide range of products. Some of the most beneficial characteristics of viscose include:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n