Fibers, Acrylic

Abstract

The first reported synthesis of acrylonitrile and polyacrylonitrile was in 1894. The first acrylic fiber was introduced in 1944 by Du Pont and by the 1950s at least 18 companies were developing acrylic fiber products. In the 1970s the growth rate decreased sharply due to the maturing of the wool replacement market and an increase in the use of nylon. Acrylics retain their traditional markets and, in addition, have small market shares in many new areas such as carbon fiber precursors, asbestos replacement fibers, and conductive/metallized fibers. Physical properties, chemical properties, polymer analysis, fiber characterization, solution spinning, commercial products, and economic aspects are discussed.