Modal is type of Rayon, however it is different from Viscose in many aspects.
Viscose fiber, is one of the most widely used man-made fiber as it is versatile , affordable and its properties resemble to cotton .However, ordinary viscose staple fibers have low initial modulus i.e. they can be easily stretched under low load specially in wet condition . It has poor elastic recovery and is very sensitive to the effect of moisture.
Modal fiber, introduced in the year 1930 seems to be the right answer to these disadvantages. Modal as defined by the International Bureau for Standardization of Manmade Fibers (BISFA) is a distinct viscose rayon fibre genre, which has a higher wet modulus and satisfies a minimum value of tenacity in the wet stage at 5% elongation.
Modal has number of advantages over viscose fiber and mercerised Cotton.
1. Modal posses lower elongation and higher wet modulus as it has higher rate of polymerization than viscose.
2. Its exceptional similarity to cotton and silk in terms of texture (luster, sheen and gloss) results in a surface smoother than mercerized cotton .
3. It can be blended with almost all textile fibres, viz. cotton, wool, silk and other synthetic fibers.
4. Modal displays high dimensional stability, both for low shrinkage and low unrecoverable extension.
5. It is more hygroscopic in nature than cotton i.e. absorbs 50% more water than cotton, has more tensile strength with excellent wear resistance and is less likely to form pills as a result of friction.
6. Modal is also resistant to wear and strong while maintaining a soft, silky feel. Modal fibres have found a wide variety of uses in clothing, outwear and household furnishings.
7. Textiles made from modal fibres do not fibrillate, or pill, like cotton does and are resistant to shrinkage and fading .
8. It causes reduced growth of bacteria when compared to cotton, if both stored for the same period of time and it age like cotton.
Today, Modal is widely used in clothing as a replacement for cotton or mercerized cotton and viscose. (Source)
In addition to this, here is a guide to the various brand names of fibers to their generic names.
Want to go in more depth, here is an article.
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Viscose fiber, is one of the most widely used man-made fiber as it is versatile , affordable and its properties resemble to cotton .However, ordinary viscose staple fibers have low initial modulus i.e. they can be easily stretched under low load specially in wet condition . It has poor elastic recovery and is very sensitive to the effect of moisture.
Modal fiber, introduced in the year 1930 seems to be the right answer to these disadvantages. Modal as defined by the International Bureau for Standardization of Manmade Fibers (BISFA) is a distinct viscose rayon fibre genre, which has a higher wet modulus and satisfies a minimum value of tenacity in the wet stage at 5% elongation.
Modal has number of advantages over viscose fiber and mercerised Cotton.
1. Modal posses lower elongation and higher wet modulus as it has higher rate of polymerization than viscose.
2. Its exceptional similarity to cotton and silk in terms of texture (luster, sheen and gloss) results in a surface smoother than mercerized cotton .
3. It can be blended with almost all textile fibres, viz. cotton, wool, silk and other synthetic fibers.
4. Modal displays high dimensional stability, both for low shrinkage and low unrecoverable extension.
5. It is more hygroscopic in nature than cotton i.e. absorbs 50% more water than cotton, has more tensile strength with excellent wear resistance and is less likely to form pills as a result of friction.
6. Modal is also resistant to wear and strong while maintaining a soft, silky feel. Modal fibres have found a wide variety of uses in clothing, outwear and household furnishings.
7. Textiles made from modal fibres do not fibrillate, or pill, like cotton does and are resistant to shrinkage and fading .
8. It causes reduced growth of bacteria when compared to cotton, if both stored for the same period of time and it age like cotton.
Today, Modal is widely used in clothing as a replacement for cotton or mercerized cotton and viscose. (Source)
In addition to this, here is a guide to the various brand names of fibers to their generic names.
Want to go in more depth, here is an article.
Buy my books at Amazon.com
