properties and uses of acrylic fiber

2. REPORT:
Submitted to:
Sir Imran Raza Malik
Submitted by:
Zargham Shafi
Discipline:
TS-1

3. ACRYLIC:

4. INTRODUCTION:
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 co monomers 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. It was first
developed in the mid-1940s but was not produced in
large quantities until the 1950s.

5. PRODUCTION OF ACRYLIC IN DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES:
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) and Drytex (Sudamericana de
Fibras, S.A.).

6. 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.

7. PRODUCTION:

8. FLOW SHEET OF MANUFACTURING OF ACRYLIC
FIBERS:

9. ACRYLIC
SOURCE Acrylonitrile
STRENGTH Good strength
ELASTICITY Low elasticity.
RESILIENCE Very good
DRAPABILITY Satisfactory.
HEAT CONDUCTIVITY Bad conductor of heat
ABSORBENCY Little absorbency
WASHABILITY Easy to wash.
SHRINKAGE Excellent dimensional
stability.

10. ACRYLIC
EFFECT OF HEAT Shrinks at 235C at higher temperature it
decomposes.
EFFECT OF LIGHT one of the most light resistant fibers in textiles.
REACTION OF BLEACH Good resistance
REACTION OF ALKALIS Fair to good resistance to weak alkalis.
REACTION OF ACIDS Resistant to Acids
RESISTANCE TO Unaffected by insects.
INSECTS
RESISTANCE TO Resistant to Perspiration
PERSPIRATION
AFFINITY FOR DYES Excellent color fastness

12. HOW ACRYLIC FABRICS DO MOISTURE
MANAGEMENT?
The dermisphere is the air space between human skin and
clothing.
Whatever may be the air temperature or in whatever activity
a wearer may be engaged, the type of fibers and the
construction of the fabric wholly affect the state of his
dermisphere.
The type of fibers and construction of the fabric directly
affect the climate in one's dermisphere, and determine
how comfortable or uncomfortable one is regardless of
the air temperature or activity in which the person is
engaged.

13. Due to its greater wicking ability, acrylic fibers
pick up the moisture, formed primarily due to
sweating, and transport it to the garment's
outer surface from where the moisture
evaporates.
Thus the skin remains dry and the wearer feels
comfortable. On the contrary, if someone is
wearing a garment made of a fabric which is
not effective in absorbing moisture, he will
definitely feel uncomfortable due too the
damp skin.
Thus acrylic fabric is a good moisture
management fabric.

14. 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, though there are low-
pilling variants. Acrylic takes color well, is washable, and is
generally hypoallergenic. End-uses include socks, hats, gloves,
scarves, sweaters, home furnishing fabrics, and awnings.

15. 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 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 propensity to
felt. The fiber requires heat to "relax" or set the shape
of the finished garment, and it isn't as warm when wet
as alternatives like wool.

16. Some hand-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, hypo-allergenic, and
extremely color-fast.
Acrylic can irritate the skin of people with
dermatological conditions such as eczema.

17. ADVANTAGES:
 Due to its wicking ability and other characteristics, the
fabric designers all over world are opting acrylic fabrics
for manufacturing garments for all seasons.
 Not only, the acrylic fabrics are high in performance but
also they have a luxurious feel and they also drape very
well.
 They are lightweight but have more bulk. This is due to
their quality of lower specific gravity.
 They are comfortable to wear due to high moisture
management.
 Dyes can be easily applied to them and they are colorfast.
 They are odor and mildew resistant too.
 In cold weather acrylics provide excellent insulation and
warmth without any extra weight.

18. APPLICATIONS:
 Acrylic fabrics are used for making various clothings, home
furnishings and other items. They also find application in industries due
to their high performance values.
 Acrylic Fabrics are mostly used to make such garments that need to
make the wearer more and more comfortable through moisture
management such as outerwear pile fabrics, thermalunderwears, socks &
tights, sweaters and sleepwear.
 They are also used in making home furnishings like carpets, rugs,
upholstery, cushions, blankets, pile sheets, etc.
 Their industrial application is in manufacturing of felts for paper
making, filter cloth, alternative asbestos,tents, sheet, etc.
 They are also used for making rag doll, toys, auxiliary tapes
for bags, braids, cloth for bags, wigs, etc.

20. CARE OF ACRYLIC:
 Dry Cleaned or laundered
 Iron at low temperature

21.  Sweaters
 Knit garments
 Faux Fur
 Coats
 Pants
 Skirts
 Shoe soles
CLOTHING/FASHION USES: