Viscose belongs to the group of chemical fibres of cellulosic origin. This fibre is a pure cellulose fibre which is obtained from beech wood, pine wood, spruce wood, eucalyptus wood and bamboo. The production process of viscose was invented by John Bevan and Charles Frederick Cross in 1982.
Viscose can be produced as a filament fibre or staple fibre (filament fibre = continuous filament – could be infinite / staple fibre = fibre of limited length). Viscose as a filament fibre is smooth and not crinkled. Viscose as a staple fibre can adopt different properties depending on the material it will be mixed with in the clothing (for example, cotton properties or wool properties).
Properties of viscose:
- Not as sturdy as cotton
- Absorbs moisture well (for example sweat) with up to 90% without feeling damp, for cotton it is only 7-11%
- Dries slowly
- Temperature regulating
- Silky and shiny
- Not electrostatic
- Softer and more flowing
- Skin-friendly
- Good to colour and print on
- Not very elastic but stretchy instead
- Crinkles easily
- Biodegradable
- Low tear and scrub resistance
Abbreviation on are tag: CV or rayon / viscose
