Question 1

What is rayon/viscose?

Accepted Answer

Rayon, also known as artificial fiber, is a type of fiber made from natural cellulose, such as wood pulp or bamboo pulp, through chemical processing. This fiber has a feel and luster similar to natural silk, making it commonly used in the production of high-quality textiles. Rayon fibers have good moisture absorption and breathability, making them suitable for clothing, home textiles, and other products that require a comfortable and soft touch.

Question 2

Is rayon decomposable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, rayon is biodegradable. As its main component is natural cellulose, rayon can be decomposed by microorganisms in the natural environment and converted into carbon dioxide, water and other organic substances. This makes rayon have certain advantages in terms of environmental friendliness.

Question 3

How to identify rayon, cotton and polyester?

Accepted Answer

1. Texture
	Rayon:
		• The texture is soft and smooth, similar to silk or cotton, and feels comfortable.
		• It is lightweight and very skin-friendly.
		• Feels silky, smoother than cotton.
	Polyester:
		• The texture is harder, sometimes with a slight “plastic-like” feel.
		• It feels slightly smooth but not as natural as rayon.
	Cotton:
		• Soft with a natural feel.
		• Slightly coarse but not abrasive to the skin.

2. Moisture Absorption
	Rayon:
		• Excellent moisture absorption, easily absorbs water.
		• Becomes softer when wet, but its strength decreases, making it more fragile.
	Polyester:
		• Very poor moisture absorption, it hardly absorbs any water.
		• Surface feels water-resistant.
	Cotton:
		• Absorbs water quickly.
		• Becomes softer when wet, but strength decreases faster than rayon, making it more fragile.

3. Burn Test
Burn tests can also help distinguish materials:

Rayon:
		• Burns with a steady flame, with a smell similar to burning paper or wood.
		• Leaves grayish-white, powdery ash.
	Polyester:
		• Melts when burning, with a stronger flame, and emits a plastic-like odor.
		• After burning, it leaves hard black bead-like residues.
	Cotton:
		• Burns steadily with a flame and smells like burning paper.
		• Leaves grayish-white, powdery ash.

4. Label Check
The label usually lists the material composition:

• Rayon: Labeled as “rayon” or “viscose.”
• Polyester: Labeled as “polyester.”
• Cotton: Labeled as “cotton.”

Question 4

What is non-woven?

Accepted Answer

Non-woven fabric is a type of material made through a special manufacturing process that differs from traditional weaving or knitting. Instead of interlacing fibers into a fabric, non-woven fabrics are created by bonding fibers together using mechanical, thermal, chemical, or hydroentangling methods, hence the name “non-woven.”

How Non-Woven Fabric is Made
1. Material Selection: Typically made from polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), viscose fibers, or other natural or synthetic fibers.
2. Forming Methods:
	• Spunbond Process: Polymer is melted, stretched into fine filaments, laid into a web, and bonded through heat.
	• Meltblown Process: Polymer is melted and sprayed into ultra-fine fibers, which are then deposited onto a base material.
	• Needle-Punched Process: Fibers are mechanically interlocked through needle punching.
	• Hydroentangling (Spunlace): High-pressure water jets interlace the fibers into a fabric.
3. Post-Treatment: Additional processes such as embossing, dyeing, or coating are applied to enhance specific properties.

Features of Non-Woven Fabric
1. Advantages:
	• Lightweight: Easy to carry and handle.
	• Breathable: Allows air and moisture to pass through.
	• Versatile: Can be engineered for absorbency, water resistance, anti-static, or anti-bacterial properties.
	• Eco-Friendly: Certain non-woven fabrics (e.g., made from polypropylene) are recyclable or biodegradable in natural environments.
2. Disadvantages:
	• Less durable compared to traditional fabrics, prone to tearing.
	• Limited load-bearing capacity.

Applications of Non-Woven Fabric
1. Medical and Hygiene: Surgical gowns, masks, disposable bedsheets, and wet wipes.
2. Home Products: Dust covers, trash bags, and shopping bags.
3. Agriculture: Ground covers, crop protection fabrics.
4. Industrial and Construction: Filtration materials, insulation layers.