8/28/14 7:54 PM Acrylic fiber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Page 1 of 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylic_fiber
Acrylic fiber
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers made from a polymer (polyacrylonitrile) with an average molecular
weight of ~100,000, about 1900 monomer units. To be called acrylic in the U.S, the polymer must contain at
least 85% acrylonitrile monomer. Typical comonomers are vinyl acetate or methyl acrylate. DuPont created
the first acrylic fibers in 1941 and trademarked them under the name Orlon. Acrylic is also called acrilan
fabric.
[1]
It was first developed in the mid-1940s but was not produced in large quantities until the 1950s.
Strong and warm, acrylic fiber is often used for sweaters and tracksuits and as linings for boots and gloves,
as well as in furnishing fabrics and carpets. It is manufactured as a filament, then cut into short staple lengths
similar to wool hairs, and spun into yarn.
Modacrylic is a modified acrylic fiber that contains at least 35% and at most 85% acrylonitrile monomer.
The comonomers vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride or vinyl bromide used in modacrylic give the fiber
flame retardant properties. End-uses of modacrylic include faux fur, wigs, hair extensions and protective
clothing.
Production
The polymer is formed by free-radical polymerization in aqueous suspension. The fiber is produced by
dissolving the polymer in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide or aqueous sodium thiocyanate,
metering it through a multi-hole spinnerette and coagulating the resultant filaments in an aqueous solution of
the same solvent (wet spinning) or evaporating the solvent in a stream of heated inert gas (dry spinning).
Washing, stretching, drying and crimping complete the processing. Acrylic fibers are produced in a range of
deniers, typically from 0.9 to 15, as cut staple or as a 500,000 to 1 million filament tow. End uses include
sweaters, hats, hand-knitting yarns, socks, rugs, awnings, boat covers, and upholstery; the fiber is also used
as "PAN" precursor for carbon fiber. Production of acrylic fibers is centered in the Far East, Turkey, India,
Mexico, and South America, though a number of European producers still continue to operate, including
Dralon and Fisipe. US producers have ended production, though acrylic tow and staple are still spun into
yarns in the USA. Former U.S. brands of acrylic were Acrilan (Monsanto), Creslan (American Cyanamid),
and Orlon (DuPont). Other brand names that are still in use include Dralon (Dralon GmbH).
Textile uses
Acrylic is lightweight, soft, and warm, with a wool-like feel. It can also be made to mimic other fibers, such
as cotton, when spun on short staple equipment. Some acrylic is extruded in colored or pigmented form;
other is extruded in "ecru", otherwise known as "natural," "raw white," or "undyed." Pigmented fiber has
highest light-fastness. Its fibers are very resilient compared to both other synthetics and natural fibers. Some
acrylic is used in clothing as a less expensive alternative to cashmere, due to the similar feeling of the
materials. Some acrylic fabrics may fuzz or pill easily. Other fibers and fabrics are designed to minimize
pilling. Acrylic takes color well, is washable, and is generally hypoallergenic. End-uses include socks, hats,
gloves, scarves, sweaters, home furnishing fabrics, and awnings.
Acrylic is resistant to moths, oils, chemicals, and is very resistant to deterioration from sunlight exposure.
Acrylic is the "workhorse" hand-crafting fiber for crafters who knit or crochet; acrylic yarn may be
8/28/14 7:54 PM Acrylic fiber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Page 2 of 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylic_fiber
perceived as "cheap" because it is typically priced lower than its natural-fiber counterparts, and because it
lacks some of their properties, including softness and the ability to felt or take acid dyes. The fiber requires
heat to "kill" or set the shape of the finished garment, and it isn't as warm as alternatives like wool. Some
knitters also complain that the fiber "squeaks" when knitted, or that it is painful to knit with because of a
lack of "give" or stretch in the yarn. On the other hand, it can be useful in certain items, like garments for
babies, which require constant washing, because it is machine-washable and extremely color-fast.
Acrylic can irritate the skin of people with dermatological conditions such as eczema.
References
1. ^ 1941-69: Changing Times. Orlon : 1941 (http://www2.dupont.com/Phoenix_Heritage/en_US/landing_era4.html).
Dupont Corporation
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acrylic_fiber&oldid=610203890"
Categories: Synthetic fibers Plastics
This page was last modified on 26 May 2014 at 13:34.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may
apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a
registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
