Viscose method Rayon

a device spinning viscose rayon dating 1901

in 1894, english chemist charles frederick cross, , collaborators edward john bevan, , clayton beadle patented artificial silk. named material viscose , because production involved intermediacy of highly viscous solution. process built on reaction of cellulose strong base, followed treatment of solution carbon disulfide give xanthate derivative. xanthate converted cellulose fiber in subsequent step. first commercial viscose rayon produced u.k. company courtaulds fibres in 1905. courtaulds formed american division, american viscose, (later known avtex fibers) produce formulation in united states in 1910. name rayon adopted in 1924, viscose being used viscous organic liquid used make both rayon , cellophane. in europe, though, fabric became known viscose , has been ruled acceptable alternative term rayon u.s. federal trade commission (ftc).

the viscose method can use wood source of cellulose, whereas other routes rayon require lignin-free cellulose starting material. use of woody sources of cellulose makes viscose cheaper, used on larger scale other methods. on other hand, viscose process affords large amounts of contaminated waste water. rayon produced filament fiber until 1930s when methods developed utilize broken waste rayon staple fiber.

the physical properties of rayon remain unchanged until development of high-tenacity rayon in 1940s. further research , development led high-wet-modulus rayon (hwm rayon) in 1950s. research in uk centred on government-funded british rayon research association.

industrial applications of rayon emerged around 1935. substituting cotton fiber in tires , belts, industrial types of rayon developed totally different set of properties, amongst tensile strength (elasticity) paramount.