Question

How is rayon made? Why is it called artificial silk? List its important properties and uses.

Answer 1

Rayon is regenerated cellulose, made from wood pulp by dissolving wood pulp in an alkaline solution. The thick liquid thus produced is passed through tiny holes to make fibres, which are hardened by passing them through a bath of sulphuric acid. The fibres are then spun into yarns and woven into clothes.
Rayon is called artificial silk because it is produced from naturally occurring polymers and looks like silk. It is woven like silk fibres but is man-made, unlike silk.

The important properties of rayon fibres are:
1) They are easier to dye in various colours.
2) Clothes made from rayon are very comfortable in summer because they can absorb sweat from the body.

The uses of rayon are:
1) It is used to make curtains, table clothes, blankets, bed sheets, carpets etc.
2) It is used to make apparels such as jackets, suits, etc.