Characteristics & Usage of Acrylic

Acrylic fiber is the trade name of polyacrylonitrile fiber in my country. Acrylic fiber has excellent properties and is known as "synthetic wool" because its properties are close to wool. Since industrial production in 1950, it has achieved great development. In the future, our country will vigorously develop acrylic fiber production. Although acrylic fiber is usually called polyacrylonitrile fiber, acrylonitrile (commonly known as the first monomer) only accounts for 90% to 94%, the second monomer accounts for 5% to 8%, and the third monomer accounts for 0.3% to 2.0%. %. This is because fibers made from a single acrylonitrile polymer lack flexibility, are brittle, and are very difficult to dye. In order to overcome these shortcomings of polyacrylonitrile, people use the method of adding a second monomer to make the fiber supple; adding a third monomer to improve the dyeing ability.

⑴ Production of acrylic fiber

The raw material of acrylic fiber is cheap propylene, which is a by-product of petroleum cracking: Since polyacrylonitrile copolymer only decomposes but does not melt when heated above 230°C, it cannot be melt-spun like polyester and nylon fibers, but a solution is used. Method of spinning. Spinning can be done by dry method or wet method. Dry spinning has high speed and is suitable for spinning imitation silk fabrics. Wet spinning is suitable for making short fibers, which are fluffy and soft, and suitable for making wool-like fabrics.

⑵ Properties and uses of acrylic fiber

① Elasticity: Its elasticity is better, second only to polyester and about 2 times higher than nylon. Has better shape retention.

② Strength: Although the strength of acrylic fiber is not as good as polyester and nylon, it is 1 to 2.5 times higher than wool.

③ Heat resistance: The softening temperature of the fiber is 190~230℃, second only to polyester among synthetic fibers.

④ Light resistance: The light resistance of acrylic fiber is the best among all synthetic fibers; after being exposed to the sun for one year, the strength only decreases by 20%.

Acrylic fiber is resistant to acids, oxidants and general organic solvents, but is not resistant to alkali. Acrylic fiber products have good fluffiness, good warmth retention, soft hand feel, and good weather resistance, mildew resistance, and moth resistance. Acrylic is about 15% warmer than wool.

Acrylic fiber can be blended with wool, and its products are mostly used in civilian applications, such as wool, blankets, knitted sportswear, tarpaulin, curtains, artificial fur, plush, etc. Acrylic fiber is also the raw material for carbon fiber, a high-tech product.