ARTIFICIAL SILK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 5

ARTIFICIAL SILK

METHODS OF PRODUCTION HINTS ON LAUNDERING BY OUII DRESS SPECIALIST - As silk has always been expensive various efforts have been made from time to time to create a fabric to take its place. Tho first "artificial silk," as it was called, had none of tho chemical and very few of the physical properties of reel silk, but since then extensivo experimentation has resulted* in other methods of manufacture, and tho variety we see mostly on the market to-day is known as "viscoso." Of all the four methods of production of artificial silk this is the most satisfactory. Tho delicacy of tho process can be appreciated 011 unravelling a thread of tho material and discovering that each fibre is onlj r l-500th of an inch in diamoter, and some even arc only J-4000th of an inch. In tho early stages of its manufacture tho thread was not a strong one; but great advance has been made until now we have a fabric of considerable strength. As it is made from wood-pulp and cotton wastes, its supply is practically unlimited, and consequently, its cost is low. " Rayon" a Better Name

Before passing on to its characteristics a word must be said regarding its name. " Artificial silk" has always been a misnomer, for, though the fibre aims at replacing or substituting silk, it has fow of tho properties of silk, and such a name is misleading. The name "rayon" therefore bas been universally adopted and should be encouraged, for this new material which has definite characteristics of its own. These characteristics make it suitablo for different purposes, just as the other fibres have their particular uses. It is obvious that as it has a vegetable origin it will in many respects resemble cotton more than silk, which belongs to the animal class.

Rayon is improved when mixed with cotton, which is stronger when wet. This fact must also bo considered in its laundering. Its smooth, shiny surface gives it hygienic qualities, for no dirt readily adheres to it, and it can be boiled if necessary. It also takes dyes brilliantly, and being a good conductor of heat, is cool to wear. Many difficulties have had to be overcome in perfecting it. For one thing, its stiffness was against its draping ability, but this has been improved. Its hard shine m'akes it difficult to wear and its hard threads fray along tho seams making it difficult to sew neatly On the other hand, its wearing qualities are good, and the fabric stands laundering well. Rayon is best suited for unclerwear, becauso of