What Is Viscose? Understanding This Popular Rayon Type

Viscose Rayon vs. Polyester

Viscose rayon and polyester have long fibers, but each comes from different sources. Viscose rayon comes from natural materials and is a more eco-friendly option than polyester, a synthetic fabric. Here are some of the similarities and differences between these two fabrics:

Features	Viscose Rayon	Polyester
Origin	Derived from natural wood cellulose, which is chemically treated leading to this semi-synthetic fiber	Derived from petroleum oil, which is chemically treated leading to this synthetic fiber
Wrinkling	May wrinkle more than polyester	Doesn’t wrinkle as viscose-rayon
Resistance to Pilling	Viscose rayon is more likely to pill than polyester	Polyester is less likely to pill than viscose-rayon
Moisture-wicking	Viscose rayon is absorbent, but not as moisture-wicking as polyester	Polyester is more moisture-wicking than viscose-rayon

Viscose Rayon vs. Modal Rayon

Both viscose rayon and modal originate from wood cellulose, and they also go through a very similar manufacturing process. However, they are slightly different from each other.

Factors	Viscose Rayon	Modal Rayon
Breathability	Less breathable than modal rayon	Modal rayon fibers are stretched to make finer, stronger, and more breathable fabrics
Eco-friendliness	Not very eco-friendly	More eco-friendly than viscose rayon because of the lower concentration of sodium hydroxide used in the manufacturing process

FAQs

Is viscose a synthetic or natural fabric?

It’s neither a synthetic nor a natural fiber. Viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber because it’s derived from a natural source, but needs extensive processing using chemicals. It’s a manufactured fiber, originating in natural wood cellulose, or protein, while synthetic fibers are completely man-made. There are different ways of manufacturing these semi-synthetic fibers, often referred to as “regenerated cellulose.”

What is rayon?

The term rayon refers to a group of smooth fibers made from regenerated cellulose. It was first developed in France in 1883 as a cheap alternative to silk. Later in 1924, this silk alternative textile was officially named rayon.

What is the difference between viscose, modal, and lyocell?

Viscose, modal, and lyocell are all rayon fibers. They all originate from wood pulp. The difference lies in the method of treating them, leading to structural variations in the fiber. Essentially, all rayon fibers are named after the process in which they are treated. So modal, lyocell, and viscose rayon are manufactured using the modal, lyocell, and viscose processes respectively.

Is viscose better than cotton?

Viscose is semi-synthetic, unlike cotton, which is made from a natural, organic material. Viscose is not as durable as cotton, but it’s also lighter and smoother in feel, which some people prefer over cotton. One is not necessarily better than the other, except when you’re talking about durability and longevity.

Is viscose fabric stretchy?

Viscose has a nice, silky feel, and it drapes nicely. That’s why it’s so popular for clothing. It does have a stretchy feel when it’s combined with spandex, but by itself, it is not a naturally stretchy material.

Conclusion

Viscose is a multi-faceted fabric with many advantages. However, its production process may lead to a negative environmental impact. To address this concern, many manufacturers are gradually shifting to eco-friendly, closed-loop lyocell manufacturing processes.