Viscose fabric is known for its excellent color retention but is also particularly sensitive to moisture. Based on the provided information, viscose shrinks when it dries after being wet, a process tied to the impact of water on its fibres.
The Impact of Moisture on Viscose Fibres
Viscose is very sensitive to any moisture. According to the reference, when viscose fabric becomes wet, it is weakened, which leads to a breakdown of the fibres that make up the garment. This suggests that water alters the structural integrity of the material.
The Shrinking Action During Drying
The actual reduction in size happens during the subsequent drying phase. The reference states, "When viscose dries, it can lose its colours, and can also shrink." This indicates that the transition from a wet to a dry state, following the moisture-induced changes in fibre structure, is when the fabric contracts.
Summary of Viscose Shrinkage
Based on the reference, the mechanism of how viscose shrinks involves a two-step process:
- Wetting: Contact with water weakens the fibres and can cause them to break down.
- Drying: The process of drying after having been wet triggers the shrinkage of the fabric.
Essentially, the fabric's sensitivity to water leads to structural changes when wet, and these changes manifest as shrinkage when the fabric dries.
