Due to the similar appearance of viscose fibers, it is difficult to distinguish between regular viscose, bamboo viscose, lavender viscose, mint viscose, rose viscose, etc., based solely on touch and visual inspection of a fabric sample.
Because of its excellent functional and physical properties, bamboo viscose has become widely used. This article will focus on how to distinguish between regular viscose and bamboo viscose.
- Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis
This is the most direct and authoritative identification method, requiring infrared spectroscopy analysis in a laboratory. Bamboo viscose fibers will show characteristic absorption peaks of bamboo quinone in the infrared spectrum (wavelengths of approximately 1630 cm⁻¹ and 1510 cm⁻¹), while regular viscose does not have these characteristic peaks. However, current testing agencies such as SGS and INTERTEK do not provide this service, and if testing is required, the cost is quite expensive.
Due to cost and convenience considerations, this method is rarely used. - UPF Testing
The logic is simple: bamboo viscose colored fabrics have a natural UPF 50+ rating, which does not disappear after multiple washes. Regular viscose does not have this property. Simply testing the UPF index at a third-party testing agency will determine the difference. Furthermore, what if someone adds UV-resistant additives to regular viscose fibers to give them a UPF 50+ rating? It’s simple: after multiple washes, the UPF effect will disappear. It is generally recommended to perform 5-10 washes.
This method is usually accepted, and the testing cost is not particularly expensive.
- Antibacterial Testing
Similar to the above principle, bamboo viscose has a natural antibacterial effect of >95%, which does not disappear after washing.
- Microscopic Observation
Fiber cross-section: Regular viscose is mostly circular or oval; bamboo viscose is serrated or kidney-shaped, and a clear microporous structure is visible. Fiber longitudinal view: Bamboo viscose has fine longitudinal stripes on its surface, while regular viscose has a relatively smooth surface.
- Experienced Personnel Inspection
For those of us who have been working in this industry for many years, we can tell whether it is bamboo viscose or regular viscose simply by looking at the greige fabric (undyed).
Bamboo viscose is more expensive than regular viscose, and many manufacturers use regular viscose to impersonate bamboo viscose in order to make exorbitant profits. This is essentially deception. Hopefully, after reading this article, clothing brands, clothing companies, and consumers will be able to distinguish between the two.
Original article, author:Devin
