Viscose – what kind of fabric: natural or synthetic

The content of the article

• Characteristics of viscose
• Structure
• Properties
• Production
• Types of viscose
• How to wash viscose
• Price
• How to choose viscose

This is the only one of natural fibers that has a natural origin. The material was invented in 1884 in France by the scientist Guiller de Chardonnay. The first attempt at the invention was made by the English chemist Robert Cook. Viscose material gained popularity only in the 20th century. The mass production of viscose clothing contributed to its popularization..

Characteristics of viscose

Important qualities of viscose: it passes air, pleasant to the touch and does not cause irritation on the skin. These features are inherent in natural fabrics, but it combines them with disadvantages: the fabric can wrinkle, is weak when wet, and shrinks. For its beautiful luster and smoothness, the fabric is called “artificial silk”. For haze add special additives. The unique material is considered to be “natural synthetics”, as the raw materials have a natural composition. This material is not able to distinguish layman from linen, silk, cotton.

Structure

Is rayon a synthetic or natural fabric? The answer is obvious – this is a non-natural material, but it is made from real cellulose – wood. The special processing turns the crushed remains of trees into a puree liquid – cellulose xanthate. Then a day under vacuum, the wood is boiled with the addition of a solution of calcium hydrosulfate. The resulting mass is pressed through a special sieve, obtaining viscose fiber at the output. An interesting fact: if you push the same mass through a sieve with smaller holes, you will get the well-known polyethylene.

Properties

In its properties, it resembles natural fabrics and is similar to cotton. It is pleasant to touch things from viscose, they stretch, the product looks good. The material has several advantages:

• does not cause allergies;
• breathable;
• comfortable – heats in the winter and cools in the summer;
• nice to wear;
• high hygroscopicity (viscose is superior to cotton in its ability to absorb water);
• does not accumulate static electricity, when putting on clothes, the hair will not “stand on end”, and the blouse will not be shocked;
• color fastness;
• strength;
• forms beautiful draperies and folds;
• erases well and dries quickly;

Production

What is viscose made of? Its formula includes cellulose – it is a natural material. But before it takes its usual form, a number of chemical treatments are carried out. The fabric manufacturing process has not changed for a hundred years, but the equipment has undergone modernization. There are four main production steps:

1. The basis is created: the wood is crushed to a state of sawdust and it is boiled with the addition of an alkali solution.
2. Threads are formed from the resulting mass by extrusion through special plates with small holes. The mass is squeezed into a container filled with acid. It can be pressed, bleached, additives can be added to improve properties, give color.
3. Fabric Finishing Stage.
4. Drying.

Types of viscose

Depending on the production method and the quality of the material, the fibers are divided into categories: viscose silk, staple fiber, cord thread. Warm clothes are made from staple fiber, carpets, rugs are produced. From viscose silk (quilted material) home textile is produced. High quality viscose is made from cord yarns. Artificial viscose can be mixed with natural fibers. In this case, the material acquires the qualities inherent in natural fabrics. The cost of fabric is also reduced..

When viscose is added to natural fabrics, shiny, dull, light and dense fabrics can be produced. What is viscose without additives? This is a fragile synthetics. Absolute viscose includes bamboo, micromodal, modal. With additives in the form of elastane (5%), a fabric is produced that will stretch, it is used for the manufacture of products. The addition of polyester gives the material “micro-oil” or “oil”. It is very pleasant to wear, fits the body well and is used for the production of clothes (women’s dresses).

A staple cloth is a type of viscose fabric that does not crease, elastic, with which blouses and shirts are sewn. Another material is tensel, which is obtained from eucalyptus sawdust. It is very similar to cotton. From it produce products for the home, bedding. Acetate – a product obtained from cellulosic waste, looks like silk in appearance. Lining material for outerwear is made from it. Such products do not stretch.

Many are interested in the question of cupra – what kind of fabric? This is the most expensive type of viscose fabric, it is used in the manufacture of formalwear and for tailoring costumes. Siblon – a new species, was obtained in the 70s from sawdust of coniferous trees. The material has improved characteristics, superior to other types of fibers by about 1.5 times.

How to wash viscose

Viscose clothing requires careful handling. It is better to wash it manually or in a washing machine in the “delicate wash” mode. The temperature of the water during washing does not need to be done above 30 degrees Celsius. Spin in the washing machine is unacceptable and it’s also better not to spin manually, otherwise the clothes will lose their shape. Ironing is done by iron in “silk” mode.

Price

The cost of tissue depends on many factors: density, composition, who produces, type of fabric. Viscose in bulk is purchased inexpensively. High-quality viscose can be sold at a price of up to several tens of rubles per 1 meter. The basis for the lining will cost 250-300 rubles, fine knitwear – 700-900 rubles, printed, made in China – up to 700 rubles. So much is crepe viscose. It is better to order and buy material in the online store by looking at the catalog and reading the description.

How to choose viscose

When choosing clothes or fabrics, there are distinctive properties by which it can be recognized. Thin viscose is bright, shiny or matte, durable, smooth and cool to the touch. If you wish, you can conduct an experiment: set fire to a small piece. The fibers of the recycled wood included in the composition will give a bright fire, and the smell of burnt paper will be felt. The threads are charred, forming lumps, when touched, they crumble.