Study on Rayon Fabrics

The abrasion resistance of rayon is fair, and abrasion of rayon fabrics becomes noticeable after repeated usage and launderings. The rayons are resistant to pill formation. Rayon fabrics wrinkle easily and without chemical treatment show poor crease recovery and crease retention. Durable press and wash-atnd-wear finishes tend to cause less degradation of rayon than found with cotton. Rayon possesses excellent moisture absorbency characteristics, but the weaker rayons swell and deform somewhat in the presence of moisture.

The hand of lower-strength viscose rayons is only fair, whereas the hand of cuprammonium and high-wet-modulus rayons is crisp and more desirable. Fabrics of rayon are generally comfortable to wear and are of acceptable appearance.The rayons are resistant to common household solvents and to light and heat except under extreme conditions or prolonged exposures. Rayons can be dyed readily by a wide variety of dyes, and the colorfastness of dyed rayons is satisfactory.

Rayons are moderately resistant to deterioration by repeated laundering, and a moderate degree of care is necessary for maintenance of rayon fabrics. The lower-strength rayons exhibit poor dimensional stability during laundering. Rayons are affected significantly by detergents or other laundry additives. Greater care must be taken when ironing rayon fabrics than would be necessary with cotton. Viscose and cuprammonium rayons may be safely ironed at 176°(, while saponified cellulose acetate can be ironed at 190°(. The rayons possess poor flammability characteristics and ignite readily on contact with a flame, as is the case for natural cellulosics.

The versatility of rayons, coupled with their lower price, makes them suitable for many textile applications. Rayon is used in clothing and home furnishings. Disposable nonwoven garments and products of rayon have been introduced to the consumer in recent years. The stronger rayons have been used in tire cord for several decades but have lost a significant portion of th is important ma rket in recent yea rs. Rayon ha s been used more and more in blends with synthetic fibers, since rayon undergoes less degradation than cotton with durable press and wash-and-wear finishes.

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