Rayon

Rayon, also called viscose and commercialised in some countries as sabra silk or cactus silk, is a semi-synthetic fiber, made from natural sources of regenerated cellulose, such as wood and related agricultural products. It has the same molecular structure as cellulose. Many types and grades of viscose fibers and films exist. Some imitate the feel and texture of natural fibers such as silk, wool, cotton, and linen. The types that resemble silk are often called artificial silk. It is used to make textiles for clothing and other purposes.

Rayon production involves solubilizing cellulose to allow turning the fibers into required form. Three common solubilization methods are:

• The cuprammonium process (not in use today), using ammoniacal solutions of copper salts
• The viscose process, the most common today, using alkali and carbon disulfide
• The Lyocell process, using amine oxide, which avoids producing neurotoxic carbon disulfide but is more expensive