gtsecc

Are they really softer than Alternative Apparel shirts?

 

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Rodney

Quote: Originally Posted by gtsecc Are they really softer than Alternative Apparel shirts?

I would say they are "as soft", if not softer

They are a more substantial "weight" than alternativeapparel, which is good if you want that super soft feeling shirt, but don't want that lightweight vintage feel.

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MotoskinGraphix

Quote: Originally Posted by gtsecc Ok, this looks definative to me. I got this by writing to the Apparel and Textile Education Xchange . here is their response: Thanks for writing. YES, in almost EVERY instance in the marketplace, fabrics being promoted as bamboo are really rayon and must be labeled as such according to law. Rayon can be made, as you undoubtedly know, from a number of different sources of cellulose fiber, including bamboo. However, once made into rayon, it would be difficult, or maybe the better word is impossible, to identify the source of that cellulose. So my understanding is that the FTC commission is allowing labels to read "rayon from bamboo" but you have to trust the source that the rayon really is from bamboo, as there is no proof other than the word of the manufacturer for the fact that the original cellulose came from bamboo. Now, I am told that you CAN make a fabric direct from bamboo fibers, but I have yet to see one. And when I do see one, I expect it to be very stiff and uncomfortable, probably worse than the jute in burlap. All the lovely, soft "bamboo" fabrics currently on the U.S. market are, indeed, rayon. Best wishes and please let me know if this answered your question adequately or not. P**** B**** ATEXINC, Corporation 17738 Vintage Oak Drive Wildwood, MO 63038 U.S.A. Tel 636-273-6414 Fax 866-346-9515 E-mail ****.****@atexinc.com Visit our website at www.atexinc.com

Now that is a quality answer.....good job!!!!

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodney Thanks for taking the time to ask an authoritative source

Seconded.

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodney I'm not sure how much it matters in actual usage if it's "rayon" or "bamboo fibers", but it is good to know that it is most likely just rayon from bamboo.

It doesn't matter to me, (bamboo rayon has benefits over cotton rayon, so I'd consider them the same/different depending on what you're talking about), but I think this bit is important to bear in mind:

Quote: However, once made into rayon, it would be difficult, or maybe the better word is impossible, to identify the source of that cellulose. So my understanding is that the FTC commission is allowing labels to read "rayon from bamboo" but you have to trust the source that the rayon really is from bamboo, as there is no proof other than the word of the manufacturer for the fact that the original cellulose came from bamboo.

...especially if you're ever dealing with a manufacturer who you are not sure is completely trustworthy.

 

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Twinge

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodney I would say they are "as soft", if not softer. They are a more substantial "weight" than alternativeapparel, which is good if you want that super soft feeling shirt, but don't want that lightweight vintage feel.

Aha, that could be a definite selling point. Alternative Apparel is incredibly soft, but it is also really lightweight (a bit too lightweight IMO, but obviously perferences vary).

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gtsecc

Quote: Originally Posted by Solmu It doesn't matter to me, (bamboo rayon has benefits over cotton rayon, so I'd consider them the same/different depending on what you're talking about),

How can one have benefitc over the other when they are the same thing?
They are exactly the same thing, such that you could run them on a gas chromatgraph and look at the atomic composition, and see - they are the same.

 

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Twinge

Quote: Originally Posted by gtsecc How can one have benefitc over the other when they are the same thing? They are exactly the same thing, such that you could run them on a gas chromatgraph and look at the atomic composition, and see - they are the same.

In the sense that if it was actually made from bamboo, it may have less environmental impact that harvesting the fibers from other sources.

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gtsecc

There is some truth to your point. But, the over all effect will so minimal such that I couldn't even be measured. Bigger effect would happen if you printed some t-Shirt that rallied for Nuclear energy and against fossile fuel burning. But, I suppose that is a bit off topic.

 

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Rodney

Quote: How can one have benefitc over the other when they are the same thing? They are exactly the same thing, such that you could run them on a gas chromatgraph and look at the atomic composition, and see - they are the same.

I think the source of the material to make the rayon makes them not exactly the same. The end result makes the same compound, but the material used to create them is different. If you're using organic cotton and a decent percentage of a sustainable material (like bamboo), it cuts down on the enironmental impact.

Whether that impact is enough for a person is their call They may decide to use the rayon from bamboo t-shirt to print a design that advocates against using fossil fuels to double the impact

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MotoskinGraphix

I think the environmental impact comes from actually producing the Rayon itself. From what I read it wasnt a very environmentally friendly process. There were also several types and or methods of producing Rayon to correct for problems with the fibers like shrinking, puckering, holding shape etc.

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by gtsecc How can one have benefitc over the other when they are the same thing?

As Twinge and Rodney said I'm talking about the source of the plant. Cotton is really really bad. Figuring out alternatives to cotton may not be as high a priority as say fossil fuels, but it's still on the list.

 

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by MotoskinGraphix I think the environmental impact comes from actually producing the Rayon itself. From what I read it wasnt a very environmentally friendly process.

Unfortunately I think you're right.

I haven't (yet) looked into it further, but I suspect that even so bamboo rayon would be more environmentally friendly than a standard cotton knit.

 

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Rodney

Just a quick update. I got an email back from the folks at www.bambooclothes.com with more information about the "bamboo rayon"
"viscose rayon" thing.

Here's what they wrote:

Quote: Originally Posted by BambooClothes.com ...I think it is important for people to understand exactly what bamboo shirts are made from and the differences between “bamboo rayon” and “viscose rayon”. Here are the facts: The FTC classifies all man made fibers that use cellulose from plants as rayon. Historically viscose rayon has been manufactured using a process in which fairly toxic chemicals chemically convert the cellulose into a soluble compound which is in turn regenerated into almost pure cellulose, hence the term ‘regenerated cellulose fiber’. This process removes any natural characteristics of the original cellulose. In contrast to this is a new method for converting plant cellulose into a usable fiber. This was first done in 1992 by a company using wood fiber, and is now identified as Lyocell and marketed in the US under the name Tencel. Bamboo fiber used in spinning yarn for textiles is manufactured the same way as Lyocell (wood fiber) -with the same organic solvent N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (amine oxide). This solvent is non-toxic and completely recycled during the manufacturing process. So although bamboo is classified as rayon by the FTC because it is made from cellulose it is actually a subset of rayon that uses a separate process from viscose to convert the bamboo cellulose to a spinnable form. One of the great advantages of this process is there is no formation of a derivative and therefore the natural characteristics of the cellulose are retained in the final product. Bamboo has 1000’s of uses and its use as a textile fiber is just emerging. It benefits the environment not only in growing the plant (excellent carbon dioxide and nitrogen sink, produces copious oxygen) but also the processing since it is a closed system with non toxic chemicals, and will hopefully lessen the demand for higher polluting materials.

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Jasonda

Thanks Rodney, that's good info to have.

 

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RisingBlue7