Viscose fiber Definition : Definitions for the Clothing & fabric Industry

Viscose is a viscous organic liquid used to make rayon and cellophane. Cellulose from wood  or cotton fibers is treated with sodium hydroxide, then mixed with carbon disulphide to form cellulose xanthate, which is dissolved in more sodium hydroxide. The resulting viscose is extruded through a slit to make cellophane, or through a spinneret to make viscose rayon (sometimes simply called viscose).

The process for manufacturing viscose was discovered by three British chemists, Charles Cross, Edward Bevan and Clayton Beadle, in 1891. Viscose is becoming less common because of the polluting effects of carbon disulphide and other by-products of the process.

Learn more about viscose fibers in our apparel manufacturers section.

fabric Definition

fiber Definition