Key Difference – Viscose vs Cotton
Viscose and cotton are two types of fabrics made of cellulose, with similar properties. However, the production process of each is different, resulting in distinct characteristics. The main difference between viscose and cotton is that cotton is a natural fiber, while viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber.
What is Viscose?
Viscose is a type of rayon, which is produced from a plant-based material called cellulose. It is made from woody plants but is not entirely natural, making it a semi-synthetic fabric. Unlike cotton, which grows cellulose in five to six months, the cellulose from trees used to manufacture viscose takes years to grow. The production process involves chemically processing trees to remove everything except the cellulose. Viscose is a low-cost fabric with qualities similar to luxurious fabrics – it is soft, breathable, drapes well, and is highly absorbent, without trapping body heat.
What is Cotton?
Cotton is a natural fiber produced from the soft, fluffy substance surrounding the seeds of cotton plants and is primarily made of cellulose. Cotton fabric is soft, light, breathable, and ideal for warm weather. However, it requires a high level of maintenance as it wrinkles and tears easily. Cotton can be used to make various garments, such as shirts, t-shirts, dresses, blouses, lingerie, and socks, as well as household items like bed sheets, towels, and tablecloths. Although not as durable as most synthetic fabrics, cotton fiber is stronger than rayon fiber and increases in strength when wet. This makes it suitable for cleaning and absorbing blood and is widely used in medicine.
What is the difference between Viscose and Cotton?
The key differences between viscose and cotton are:
– Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric, while cotton is a natural fabric.
– Cotton fiber is stronger than viscose fiber.
– Viscose fibers lose strength when wet, whereas cotton fibers gain strength when wet.
– Cotton is used to clean and absorb body fluids, while viscose is not used in medical applications.
Key Takeaways
- Cotton is a natural fiber, while viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber.
- Cotton fiber is stronger and gains strength when wet, while viscose is less strong and loses strength when wet.
- Viscose is not used in medical applications, unlike cotton, which is widely used to clean and absorb body fluids.
