Viscose: advantages, disadvantages and scope of use

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

Characteristics and properties of the material depend on the production technology. It is produced from wood by splitting it to the cellulose element - xanthate. And for some time the composition is boiled, reacting with an aqueous solution of calcium.

The resulting homogenized composition is transformed into threads that make up the viscose fabric. Slightly changing the technical conditions, polyethylene is produced, therefore, viscose is often called natural synthetics. In fact, it is an unnatural fabric made from cellulose.

The main qualities of viscose fiber:

• air permeability;
• comfortable fabric texture;
• hypoallergenic;
• smooth and silky shine;
• lack of ability to accumulate static electricity;
• resistance to wear and brightness of colors;
• ease of washing and care;
• imitation of natural fabrics: flax, silk and cotton.

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

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

Fabric fibers are divided into silk, staple and cord viscose. Quilts and bed linen are made from silk. The staple is used for sewing warm clothing, as well as from it produce rugs and carpeting. The fabric of cord threads used for the manufacture of luxury clothing. Among other things, the basis of the fabric is combined with natural threads 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 their description.

• Natural 100% viscose - synthetics made from bamboo. It is pleasant to the touch, thin and light. In the wet form, it can be deformed and damaged; it is not strong enough and short-lived; it wears out quickly and loses its properties.
• Lining acetate fabric does not stretch and perfectly protects clothes and hats from getting wet, shrinking and losing shape.
• Viscose Knitted Fabric - more durable material, most often used for the manufacture of linen and light clothing.

• Viscose fabric "microoil “Made with the addition of polyester, which gives it an amazing chic and a good fit. Looks elegant in pants, skirts and dresses.
• Viscose with the addition of elastane and cotton often used for tailoring sports equipment.
• With the addition of staple fibers viscose fabric acquires the properties of strength.From such cloth sew shirts, blouses and outerwear.
• Silk viscose Partially imitates natural fabric, its shine and radiance. Used for sewing pajamas, shirts, as well as home textiles: curtains, bedspreads and bed linen.

Viscose fabrics also differ in names.

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

• Milano - knitted fabric with imitation of wool, from which it is good to sew gloves.
• Siblon - Another type of fabric obtained from sawdust softwood. Thanks to resins and microoils, it has an increased strength range in terms of mechanical and physical properties.
• Cupra - extra thin elite fabric extra class. Used for sewing expensive outfits. Requires special care, excluding the line and ironing.

Mixed viscose with polyester content is used for sewing inexpensive products. The domestic market is dominated by imported viscose from China, as well as finished products from Uzbekistan.

As already known, viscose is produced from cellulose - a product of wood, which serves as raw material for producing fabric. The complex manufacturing process consists of multistage production stages during which chemical treatment of wood fibers is performed. Since the invention of the material, the technology has not changed, only the equipment was reconstructed. Basically it is four stages of production.

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

The advantages of viscose fabric include the following points:

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

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

Viscose with additives acquires their properties. For example, cotton gives it softness, staple - strength and heat resistance, artificial silk - smoothness and shine.She, 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 distinguish several facts.

• Wool viscose extraordinarily warm and comfortable to wear, stretches well and does not accumulate static electricity, besides things from it are affordable.
• Fabric modal much easier and cheaper than its analogue based on eucalyptus, which, in turn, makes it more popular among buyers. This is due to the simplified production technology, which greatly reduces the cost of the manufacturer, affecting the original price of the fabric.
• Viscose "microoil" and "oil" It gives a comfortable covering effect to the things sewn from it. The cut elements of this type is very different from similar patterns of other fabrics, as it is possible to remove the extra tucks and folds that are usually used for a good fit on the figure.

• Viscose lining well passes air and perfectly holds a form of a coat, suits and outerwear. Therefore, it is the most "running" among the lining fabrics.
• Sewing expensive dresses from cupra it is better to entrust the professionals due to the specificity of the fabric, expressed in a special subtlety and a number of properties that make it the most delicate and beautiful of all the fabrics of this line.

If we talk about the comparison of viscose with other fabrics, 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 flax and cotton it will not be possible to sew a coat or jacket. Theoretically, this is possible, but, given that flax and cotton are purely natural materials, the operation of things sewn from them in normal mode becomes impossible. Clean materials, exposed to 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 her are very popular among buyers. Parents are happy to dress up their little princesses in colorful dresses with colorful flowing flounces and bows. But only viscose fabrics can give such an elegant effect, so they are also widely used for sewing festive and New Year's costumes.

Viscose is also indispensable in the interior. It is difficult to imagine woolen curtains or drape carpets. It will be very expensive to “dress” furniture in pure satin, jacquard or silk, printed velvet and crepe are not applicable for bed linen.

Mostly from viscose they sew clothes and various things - from underwear and bed linen to outerwear items. But it is also successfully used in household items as upholstery, household textiles. With its help, you can create any style in interior design. Viscose fabric on the walls acquires a special sound. Thanks to it, with appropriate lighting creates a cozy atmosphere and style is preserved.

Wash clothes from viscose should be with extreme caution, as it is subject to constriction and deformation in the wet. Hand washing can be replaced by a delicate mode in a washing machine, at a temperature not higher than 30 degrees Celsius.For washing it is best to use soft water and powder without phosphate. Ideal elixirs for special fabrics, preserving the elasticity and color of the fibers during washing. In addition, some of them also perform the functions of a conditioner and rinse, which provides additional care for the product and contributes to long wear.

It is better to completely remove the spin of the washed items so that they do not lose their shape. Best of all, after the water has drained, leave them on a terry towel or other soft cloth to soak in, and then hang them on the hangers or special stands for drying such things for final drying.

Ironing of viscose is not recommended, you can not steam them in a horizontal position either. Some use an iron in tulle and silk mode. But it would be better to use a steam generator. It gently, easily and quickly straighten 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 suitable material from viscose, and also suggest how to properly care for things from this multifunctional fabric.

About what viscose, see the following video.