What is the difference between cellulose fibre and regenerated cellulose fibre?
Cellulose fiber and regenerated cellulose fiber are related but it has distinct concepts. The following points will give you a better understanding of differentiating these two sustainable fibres.
Cellulose Fiber:
- Cellulose fiber refers to fibers that are naturally occurring and derived directly from plants or other biological sources.
- Cotton, jute, hemp, and flax are examples of cellulose fibre.
- These fibers are composed primarily of cellulose, which is a structural component of plant cell walls.
- Cellulose fibers are obtained from the plant source through processes such as ginning (for cotton), retting (for jute, flax), or decorticating (for hemp).
Related post: 20 Natural Fibres
Regenerated Cellulose Fiber:
- Regenerated cellulose fiber, commonly known as rayon, viscose, or modal, is a semi-synthetic fiber made by chemically treating natural cellulose fibers to dissolve them and then regenerating them into fiber form.
- While it originates from cellulose, the manufacturing process involves chemical treatments to break down the cellulose and reform it into fibers. This makes regenerated cellulose fiber a semi-synthetic material.
- Regenerated cellulose fibers are produced through a process that includes dissolving cellulose from wood pulp or other sources, extruding it into fibers, and then solidifying the fibers through coagulation.
- Rayon, modal, and lyocell are some examples of regenerated cellulose fibers, each with slightly different manufacturing processes and properties.
- In summary, cellulose fibers are naturally occurring fibers derived directly from plants, while regenerated cellulose fibers are semi-synthetic fibers produced by chemically treating and regenerating natural cellulose to create fibers with specific properties and characteristics.
Related post: What is Regenerated Cellulose Fibre? Its Applications and Examples.
Tags
Fibre