Viscose fibre: Characteristics
Its weak point: strength when wet
What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.Spinners buy viscose on fineness, cut length, tenacity, whiteness and evenness; brands increasingly also buy on traceability of the pulp and the producer's environmental rating. Wet strength is viscose's weak point, which modal and lyocell improve.
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fineness and cut length | 1.2-1.5 denier, 38-51 mm for cotton-system spinning (indicative) | Matches cotton and polyester in blends | indicative |
| Tenacity | dry about 2.2-2.6 g/denier; wet about 50-60% of dry (indicative) | Low wet strength limits some uses | indicative |
| Moisture regain | about 11-13% (indicative) | Comfort and dye uptake | indicative |
| Biodegradability | biodegrades in soil and water (indicative) | Selling point in wipes versus plastic fibres | indicative |
Commercial grades
- Regular VSF (bright, semi-dull)
- Dope-dyed VSF
- Modal
- Lyocell (Tencel, Birla Excel)
- Low-impact branded viscose (Livaeco, EcoVero)
- Flame-retardant viscose
- Recycled-content viscose (Liva Reviva, Refibra)
- Viscose filament yarn