viscose rayon

textile

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July 14, 2026

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Viscose rayon is an artificial textile fiber made from regenerated and purified cellulose, typically sourced from wood pulp or cotton linters. It was developed in the late 19th century as a substitute for silk and was the first man-made fiber.12

The process involves converting cellulose into a liquid compound, extruding it through a device called a spinnerette, and then converting it back into cellulose fibers. The most common type today is viscose rayon, discovered by three British chemists in 1891.12

Viscose rayon can resemble cotton or silk and is used in apparel, often blended with other fibers. High-strength versions are used for tire cords, and it's also used in papermaking. Environmental concerns have led to new types of rayon, such as lyocell.12

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dye
Fibre structure
…by the development of the viscose process, which produces regenerated cellulose with 300–400 glucose units. This semisynthetic cellulosic is rayon, which is very similar to cotton. The semisynthetic acetate rayon, produced by acetylation of chemical cellulose, has 200–300 glucose units with 75 percent of the hydroxyl groups converted to acetates.…
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…by the development of the viscose process, which produces regenerated cellulose with 300–400 glucose units. This semisynthetic cellulosic is rayon, which is very similar to cotton. The semisynthetic acetate rayon, produced by acetylation of chemical cellulose, has 200–300 glucose units with 75 percent of the hydroxyl groups converted to acetates.…
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major industrial polymers
Rayon
…fibre, which became known as viscose rayon (or simply viscose). In 1911 the American Viscose Corporation began production in the United States.
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…fibre, which became known as viscose rayon (or simply viscose). In 1911 the American Viscose Corporation began production in the United States.
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rayon
…fibre, which became known as viscose rayon (or simply viscose). In 1911 the American Viscose Corporation began production in the United States.
Read More
…fibre, which became known as viscose rayon (or simply viscose). In 1911 the American Viscose Corporation began production in the United States.
Read More