Introduction

• Rayon is the oldest commercial manmade fibre
• Rayon can be found in cotton like end uses
• Rayon can be a sumptuous velvet or taffeta
• Rayon is not a synthetic fibre, but is made from wood pulp
• Rayon is a genetic name for the fibre and the yarn and finished fabric

History

• Rayon was the first manufactured fibre
• In 1665, Robert Hooke, an English naturalist, theorised that it might be possible to spin artificial filaments
• In 1855, George Audemars, a Frenchman succeeded but his process was slow and needed a great deal of skill
• The first commercial fibre was patented in 1884 by the count of Chardonnay after 29 years research.
• In 1891 three English men, Charles Frederick Cross, Edward John Bevan and Clayton Beadle discovered the viscose process
• Courtaulds produced the first commercial viscose rayon in 1905

Properties

• Rayon has a silk like aesthetic
• Versatile and the ability to blend with many other fibres
• Highly absorbent
• Soft and comfortable
• Easy to dye and retains its rich brilliant colours
• Drapes well
• Rayon is a non static fibre

Disadvantages

• Wrinkles
• May be attacked by ‘silverfish’ or termites
• It will mildew
• Rayon stretches and shrinks when wet