A viscose pile refers to the raised surface of a textile that is made using viscose fibers. Think of it as the fluffy, soft, or textured layer you feel on materials like rugs, carpets, or velvet fabrics, created specifically from viscose.
Understanding Viscose
To fully grasp what a viscose pile is, it's essential to understand the material itself. According to the reference, viscose is a thin fiber extracted from wood pulp. It's important to note that despite originating from a natural source (wood pulp), it is not a natural fiber because of the wood pulp's treatment with chemicals to turn it into a yarn.
Viscose is known by several other names in Western markets, including:
- Rayon
- China silk
- Artificial silk
- Art silk
These names often highlight one of its key characteristics: its resemblance to silk in look and feel. Viscose fibers are described as soft, smooth, shiny, and very comfy, making them a popular choice for textiles where drape, feel, and appearance are important.
Key Properties of Viscose
| Property | Description | Relevance to Pile |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Extracted from wood pulp | Determines base material source |
| Nature | Man-made (due to chemical treatment) | Impacts manufacturing process and cost |
| Texture | Soft, smooth | Contributes to the feel of the pile |
| Appearance | Shiny | Gives the pile a lustrous, often silk-like look |
| Comfort | Comfy | Makes the resulting fabric pleasant to touch/use |
| Alternative Names | Rayon, China silk, Artificial silk, Art silk | Helps identify the material in different contexts |
What "Pile" Means in Textiles
In the world of textiles, "pile" refers to a surface texture created by densely arranged loops or tufts of yarn. These loops can be left as they are (creating loop pile, like Berber carpet) or cut open at the ends (creating cut pile, like velvet or Saxony carpet). This process gives the fabric a soft, elevated, and dimensional surface.
Examples of fabrics or items known for their pile include:
- Carpets and Rugs
- Velvet
- Corduroy
- Some types of upholstery fabric
The Viscose Pile Explained
When you combine the material "viscose" with the textile structure "pile," you get a fabric or item with a raised, soft, and often shiny surface made from viscose fibers.
Because viscose fibers are inherently:
- Soft
- Smooth
- Shiny
A viscose pile surface inherits these characteristics. This means a rug, carpet, or fabric with a viscose pile will typically feel very soft and smooth underfoot or to the touch. The "shiny" property of viscose also gives the pile a characteristic luster, often making it resemble silk pile, but at a different price point and with different care requirements.
Viscose is frequently chosen for the pile in items like:
- Area rugs (especially those mimicking silk or traditional designs)
- Certain types of upholstery fabrics
- Velvet or velour-like fabrics for apparel or home decor
The use of viscose for the pile creates a luxurious look and feel. However, it's worth noting that while soft and shiny, viscose fibers can be less durable or more prone to crushing and water sensitivity compared to some other pile materials like wool or nylon, depending on the specific construction.
In summary, a viscose pile is the soft, often lustrous, raised surface created on textiles by using chemically treated wood pulp fibers known as viscose (or rayon).
