Viscose: advantages, disadvantages and scope

Viscose is a fiber of natural origin, invented by a French scientist at the end of the 19th century. And before him, the material of this type was trying to create the Englishman Robert Hook. Mass production of material was launched in the XX century, it was then that the viscose fabric was very popular because of its universal properties.

The characteristics and properties of the material depend on the production technology. It is produced from wood by splitting it into a cellulose element - xanthogenate. And for some time, the composition is cooked, reacting with an aqueous solution of calcium.

The resulting homogenized composition is transformed into yarns constituting a viscose fabric. Having slightly changed the technical conditions, they produce polyethylene, so viscose is often called natural synthetics. In fact, this is an artificial fabric made from cellulose.

The main qualities of viscose fiber:

• breathability;
• comfortable fabric texture;
• hypoallergenicity;
• smoothness and silky shine;
• lack of ability to accumulate static electricity;
• resistance to wear and brightness of colors;
• ease in washing and leaving;
• imitation of natural fabrics: linen, silk and cotton.

In addition, additional properties of viscose fabric are good hygroscopicity, ductility and excellent appearance of products from it. It is cool to the touch, thin, but quite durable.

The price of the material consists of the features of production technology, quality, as well as producer costs.Lining viscose costs about 300 rubles, printed (imported crepe) costs 700 rubles, and knitwear costs 900 rubles per meter.

Tissue fibers are divided into silk, staple and cord rayon. Quilts and bedding are sewn from silk. The staple is used for sewing warm clothes, and it also produces rugs and carpets. Fabric from cord yarns is used for the manufacture of luxury clothing. Among other things, the basis of the fabric is combined with natural yarns of other materials, then viscose takes on a number of their properties and qualities.

The modern industry of domestic and foreign production produces many types of viscose fabric, we give a description of them.

• 100% natural viscose - synthetics made from bamboo. It is pleasant to the touch, thin and light. When wet, it lends itself to deformation and damage, is not strong enough and short-lived, quickly wears out and loses its properties.
• Lining acetate fabric It does not stretch and perfectly protects clothes and hats from getting wet, shrinking and losing shape.
• Viscose-based knit fabric - a more durable material, most often used for the manufacture of linen and light clothing.

• Viscose fabric "oil “It is made with the addition of polyester, which gives it an amazing chic and a good fit. Looks elegant in trousers, skirts and dresses.
• Viscose with the addition of elastane and cotton often used for sewing sports equipment.
• With the addition of staple fibers viscose fabric gains strength properties. From such a fabric, shirts, blouses and outerwear are sewn.
• Rayon silk partially imitates natural fabric, its shine and radiance. Used for sewing pajamas, shirts, as well as home textiles: curtains, bedspreads and bedding.

Viscose fabrics also vary in name.

• Viscose Tensel similar to cotton, it is made from sawdust of eucalyptus, used for sewing curtains, pillowcases, sheets and duvet covers.
• Modal and a thinner micromodal is used for sewing tablecloths, kitchen towels and napkins, as well as a hosiery assortment.
• Rayon - a thin fabric with shine, used for sewing bedding and home clothes.
• Academician - dense knitted fabric from which heat-resistant linen is sewn.

• Milano - a knitted fabric with imitation of wool, from which gloves can be sewn well.
• Siblon - Another type of fabric obtained from sawdust of conifers. Thanks to resins and micro oils, it has an increased range of strength in mechanical and physical indicators.
• Cupra - Extra fine elite fabric of extra class. It is used for tailoring expensive outfits. It requires special care, excluding string and ironing.

Blend viscose with polyester content is used for sewing low-cost products. Imported viscose of Chinese manufacture prevails on the domestic market, as well as finished products from Uzbekistan.

As is already known, viscose is produced from cellulose, a wood product that serves as a raw material for fabric. The complex manufacturing process consists of multi-stage production stages, during which the chemical treatment of wood fibers is carried out. Since the invention of the material, the technology has not changed, only equipment has been reconstructed. These are mainly four stages of production.

1. At the first stage, the basis of the future tissue is formed. Wood blocks are crushed to shavings and cooked in large cauldrons with caustic alkali.
2. On the second, they make threads by passing the resulting mass through a special sieve with many small holes.
3. At the third stage, finishing is carried out, including painting and drying of the product.

The advantages of viscose fabric include the following:

• feature to warm in the cold season and cool in winter;
• thanks to the pleasant thermolabile texture of the fabric, the products are very comfortable and cozy;
• the fibers of the fabric give good adhesion to color pigments, as a result of which it is well dyed, creating various color variations;
• weightlessness and soft absorbent properties expand the scope of tissue in any climatic zone;
• matte, as if the luminous surface of the fabric is easily draped, creating beautiful elements of clothing and interior;
• dress viscose is very comfortable to wear and unpretentious in care.

The features of viscose fabrics can also include the ability to stretch when wet and sit down when washing. At the same time, 100% viscose can be very tightened when worn, and often things from it quickly lose their shape and wear out. But this only happens with improper care. Pure viscose can crumble a lot when sewing, so cut elements require additional processing. Fabric with polyesters can stretch a lot, which is very good for linen, but not applicable for outerwear and formal dress.

Viscose with additives acquires their properties. For example, cotton gives it softness, staple - strength and heat resistance, artificial silk - smoothness and luster. It, like all natural fabrics, practically does not burn, so it can be safely attributed to fire-resistant materials.

If we consider customer reviews, we can highlight several facts.

• Viscose with wool unusually warm and comfortable to wear, stretches well and does not accumulate static electricity, in addition, things from it are affordable.
• Fabric modal much easier and cheaper than its counterpart based on eucalyptus, which, in turn, makes it more popular among buyers. This is due to the simplified production technology, which significantly reduces the costs of the manufacturer, affecting the initial price of the fabric.
• Viscose "oil" and "oil" gives a comfortable tight effect to things sewn from it. The cut of elements of this type is very different from similar patterns from other fabrics, since it is possible to remove excess tucks and folds, which are usually used for a good fit on the figure.

• Rayon Lining it passes air well and perfectly holds the shape of coats, suits and outerwear. Therefore, it is the most "running" among the lining fabrics.
• Sewing expensive outfits from cupra it is better to trust the professionals due to the specifics of the fabric, expressed in a particular subtlety and a number of properties that make it the most delicate and beautiful of all fabrics in this line.

If we talk about comparing viscose with other tissues, then special attention should be paid to its versatility. Cotton and linen are hygroscopic and therefore good in the bathroom. They are used for sewing towels, bathrobes, slippers and other similar paraphernalia.

But from linen and cotton it will not be possible to sew a coat or jacket. Theoretically, this is possible, but, given that linen and cotton are purely natural materials, it becomes impossible to operate the items sewn from them in the normal mode.Pure materials, exposed to atmospheric precipitation and other factors, will quickly fail, wear out.

At the same time, the versatility of viscose extends to children's clothing. Stylish and safe children's suits from it are very popular among buyers. Parents are happy to dress their little princesses in colorful dresses with colorful flowing frills and bows. But only viscose fabrics can give such an elegant effect, so they are also widely used for sewing holiday and New Year's costumes.

In the interior, viscose is also indispensable. It is hard to imagine woolen curtains or draped carpets. It will be very expensive to “dress” the furniture in clean satin, jacquard or silk, printed velvet and crepe are not applicable for bedding.

Basically, clothes and various things are sewed from viscose, from underwear and bed linen to outerwear. But it is also successfully used in household appliances as furniture upholstery, household textiles. With its help, you can create any style in interior design. On the walls, viscose fabric takes on a special sound. Thanks to it, with the appropriate lighting, a cozy atmosphere is created and the style is preserved.

Wash clothes from viscose should be with extreme care, as it is subject to constriction and deformation in the wet. Hand wash can be replaced with a delicate mode in the washing machine, at a temperature of no higher than 30 degrees Celsius. For washing, it is best to use soft water and powder without phosphate. Elixirs are ideal for special fabrics, preserving the elasticity and color of the fibers during washing. In addition, some of them also perform the functions of an air conditioner and rinse aid, which provides extra care for the product and promotes long wear.

It is better to completely eliminate the spinning of washed items so that they do not lose their shape. It is best after the water drains, leave them on a terry towel or other soft cloth to soak in, and then hang them on the shoulders or special supports for drying such things for final drying.

It is not recommended to iron things from viscose; it is also impossible to steam them in a horizontal position. Some use iron in tulle and silk mode. But it will be more correct to use a steam generator. He gently, easily and quickly straightens the fibers of the fabric without the risk of burning them.

We hope that the information from the article will reveal a lot of new things, help you determine the choice of the right material from viscose, and also tell you how to properly care for things from this multifunctional fabric.

About what viscose is, see the next video.