Viscose fabric is a type of synthetic fiber that has been created by the chemical reaction between cellulose and polyisoprene (rubber).
In this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about viscose fabric!
What is Viscose Fabric?
Viscose fabric is a kind of synthetic fiber, which is made from cellulose and viscose rayon.
It has good elasticity, softness, lightweight, and breathability. Compared with cotton fabrics, they can be dyed easily.
The main raw materials are cotton and viscose rayon, the former accounts for more than 90% of the total production volume.
In addition to being used as clothing material, it also has many other applications, such as in-home textiles, bedding, curtains, and so on.
Viscose fabric has been around for a long time, but it wasn’t until the early 20th century that it became widely used in clothing and other textiles.
It was first developed by the French chemist Eugene Goossens who discovered how to make viscose from cellulose fibers.
The process of making viscose involves dissolving cellulose into a solution called “viscosity” which can then be spun into threads or yarns.
These are then woven together with cotton or wool to create fabrics.
Types of Viscose
There are two types of viscosity fibers: natural and artificial. Natural fiber includes cotton and linen, while artificial fiber refers to all kinds of man-made fibers.
According to the difference between them, there are three categories of viscose fabric:
1) Cotton viscose – Cotton viscose is a kind of textile product made from cotton fibers.
It has a high percentage of cotton content and is usually blended with other fibers like polyester and nylon. Because of its excellent quality, it is one of the most popular viscose products today.
2) Linen viscose – Linen viscose is a type of textile produced from flax (Linum usitatissimum).
Linen viscose is often referred to as “linen” because it looks similar to real linen. However, unlike linen, it does not contain lignin. Linen viscose is commonly used for making dresses and blouses.
3) Other viscose – This category covers various kinds of viscose products, including those made from bamboo, jute, hemp, ramie, etc.
They are mainly used for making bags, shoes, the gloves, socks, hosiery, etc.
How Is Viscose Fabric Made?
The manufacturing process of viscose fabric is very complicated. First, you need to prepare the raw materials.
Then you need to dissolve the cellulose fibers in an alkaline bath. After this step, you will spin the viscous solution into filaments, which are then twisted into yarns.
Finally, these yarns are woven into fabric. Cotton and viscose rayon are the main raw materials for producing viscose fabric.
Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Cotton is a natural fiber, which means it contains no chemicals during the whole manufacturing process.
Therefore, it is relatively cheap and easy to use.
But it doesn’t last too long, and it is prone to shrinkage when washed. In addition, it is difficult to dye. Viscose rayon is a man-made fiber, which makes it look and feel different from cotton.
It is stronger and more durable than cotton. But it is much more expensive than cotton. Moreover, it requires special processing before it can be used.
After spinning, the yarns are twisted and woven into fabric. There are several ways to do this. For example, the yarns can be knitted or woven into cloth directly.
Or they can be cut into strips and sewn together to form a piece of fabric.
History and Origins of Viscose Fabric
Viscose fabric is an important part of our daily life. It is used for making clothes, home furnishing items, and even industrial applications.
As we know, the history of viscose fabric goes back thousands of years ago. Viscose was first made by the ancient Chinese.
The name of the material comes from the Latin word “viscus”, meaning gluey or sticky.
The earliest reference about viscose dates back to the year 637 AD when the Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty ordered his soldiers to make cotton clothing out of silk.
Silk is a kind of protein fiber that’s hard to work with. So the soldiers had to soak the silk in water and boil it until the silk became soft.
Then they squeezed the mixture through a sieve to get a clear liquid called “silk juice”. This silk juice was added to another substance called aloe, which is also known as vegetable gum.
When mixed, the two substances formed a gel-like substance. This new substance was named “aloe gelatin” or “vegetable glue”.
Aloe gelatin was later refined and processed into what we call today “viscose”.
The viscose fabric that we know today has been developed since the 19th century.
During the Industrial Revolution, people started using synthetic fibers instead of natural ones. These include polyester (PET), the nylon, acrylic, and spandex.
However, all of them were not suitable for making clothes. They could only be used for other purposes such as carpets, upholstery, and sportswear.
To solve this problem, scientists invented a chemical compound called “cellulose nitrate”.
Cellulose nitrate is a type of plastic fiber that can be spun into yarn. In 1884, Dr. Leo Baekeland discovered that he could combine cellulose nitrate with sodium hydroxide to create a new substance.
He named it “viscose”. Viscose is now widely used in the production of rayon, acetate, and cellophane.
Today, viscose is still one of the most popular fabrics around the world.
Properties of Viscose Fabric
The properties of viscose fabric depend on its composition. If you want to buy viscose fabric online, you should pay attention to some factors.
Firstly, the quality of the fabric depends on how the raw materials are prepared. Secondly, the color of the finished product depends on the dyeing method.
And thirdly, the price of the fabric depends on the amount of viscose used. Let’s take a closer look at each factor:
1) Raw Materials
There are many types of viscose fabric, including rayon, acetate, and cellophane. Each of them has its characteristics.
For example, rayon is usually more resistant to wrinkles and creases than acetate. Acetate is often preferred for outdoor wear because it is less likely to fade.
Cellophane is great for use in high-temperature environments. But if you’re looking for something special, you may need to go shopping in person.
2) Dyeing Method
Different colors require different dyeing methods.
There are two main ways to dye viscose fabric. One is direct dyeing, where the fabric is immersed in a bath containing dyes.
Another way is reactive dyeing, where the dye molecules react with the cellulose fiber. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
Direct dyeing produces vibrant colors but requires a lot of time and effort. Reactive dyeing is much faster, but the resulting color tends to fade over time.
3) Amount of Viscose Used
Viscose fabric is typically composed of three kinds of fibers: cellulose, lyocell, and microfiber. Cellulose is the main ingredient.
Lyocell is a combination of cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol. Microfibers are tiny pieces of glass, metal, or ceramic.
All these fibers are combined to form the final product. The amount of viscose used determines the weight of the fabric. A heavier fabric will cost more.
4) Price
The price of viscose fabric varies depending on the type of fabric, the size, and the quantity. You’ll find that higher-priced viscose fabrics are generally of better quality.
What Viscose Fabric is Used For
Today, there are hundreds of varieties of viscose fabric available. Some of them are made specifically for certain applications. Here are just a few examples:
Clothing – Rayon is commonly used for shirts, dresses, pants, jackets, and coats. It is especially good for outerwear because it resists wrinkles and fading.
— Acetate is ideal for casual wear such as shorts, swimsuits, and t-shirts. It is also great for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hiking.
— Cellophane is best suited for light-duty garments such as scarves, gloves, hats, neckties, and socks.
Sportswear – Spandex is perfect for athletic wear such as running shoes, tennis apparel, and cycling gear. It stretches easily and provides excellent support.
— Lycra is popular among fitness enthusiasts because it allows freedom of movement while providing firm support.
Medical Wear – Microfiber is useful for surgical gowns, protective clothing, and wound dressings. It can be sterilized by steam autoclaving.
— Lyocell is most frequently used for medical products such as bandages, surgical gowns, and catheters.
Home Decor – Microfiber is great for rugs, curtains, bedspreads, and other home decor items. It’s durable, soft, and easy to clean.
— Lyocell has become increasingly popular for upholstery and drapery. It is stain-resistant and wrinkle-free.
Viscose Fabric and Environmental Impact
In general, viscose fabric is considered an environmentally friendly material. This is because it uses renewable resources and does not contain any harmful chemicals.
However, some people worry about the impact of using viscose fabric on the environment.
They believe that the process of making this kind of fabric releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The production of viscose fabric accounts for approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
There are many alternatives to viscose fabric.
These include cotton, linen, rayon, hemp, bamboo, jute, and kenaf. If you’re looking for something eco-friendly, consider one of these options.
Conclusion
Viscose is a versatile material that is suitable for a wide variety of applications. Whether you need to make a garment, home decor item, or sports equipment, viscose fabric will do the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is viscose?
A: Viscose is a synthetic fiber derived from wood pulp. It is produced through chemical processing.
Q: How much does viscose fabric cost?
A: The price of viscose fabric depends on the type of fabric and its intended use. Higher-priced viscose fabrics are usually of better quality.
Q: Where can I buy viscose fabric online?
A: There are several websites where you can buy viscose fabric. Just enter your search terms in the box below. You’ll find what you want at a reasonable price!
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