This document describes the production and properties of acrylic fibers. Acrylic is produced from acrylonitrile monomer through polymerization. It can be produced through dry or wet spinning processes where the polymer solution is extruded and dried, causing the polymer to solidify into fibers. Acrylic fibers have good tensile strength, elongation, elastic recovery and resistance to sunlight, acids and insects. Its properties make it suitable for uses such as apparel, knitwear, blankets and carpets.

1. TM 1051

2. Introduction
In 1940, DuPont manufactured acrylic from
Acrylonitrile.
According to FTC;
Fibers spun from polymers consisting of at least 85 %
by weight of acrylonitrile units (CH2CHCN)

3. Raw material:
Vinyl acetate
Acrylic monomer
Ammonium sulphate
Sodium bisulphite

4. Polymerization
Ammonium sulfate and sodium bi sulfhite are
dissolved in demineralized water at 40 degree
centigrade
A mixture of acrylonitrile monomer and vinyl
acetate monomer are added slowly with stirring for
a period of 2 hours
The reaction is exothermic
Monomers are soluble in water but polymer is not
The air is replaced by inert gas like (ammonia)

5. Polymer is separated as slurry from the solution
The slurry is withdrawn and washed until it is free
from salts and then dried

6. Spinning:
Polymer powder is dissolved in solvent- dimethyl
formamide
A delustring agent is added during polymer
preparation
It is then filtered and then immediately used for
spinning

7. Dry spinning:
After filtration of polymer, it is heated to boiling
point and then extruded through spinneret
The fine jets of solution emerge into vertical tube
through which air is flowing at high temperature
(400 degree centigrade is flowing)
As jets fall through the tube, the solvent evaporate
and leave solid filaments of polymer

8. The filaments are stretched 3-10 times original
length in this hot state
The continuous filaments are spun and collected
on bobbin with speed at about 1000-1200 m/min
Filaments yarn are made in 75-200 denier range
For manufacture of staple fibers continuous
filaments are washed, are crimped and cut into
lengths 1.5-2 inch

10. Wet spinning:
Polymer is dissolved in solvent and then fed to
spinneret
It is then pumped through spinneret in a
coagulating bath in which solvent is soluble but
polymer is insoluble
the jets of solution coagulates into fine filaments

11. The filaments are passed over steam heated rollers
at 100-110 degree centigrade and rotating at high
speed
Stretching is carried out at 4-10 times to their
original lengths
the filaments are crimped and then cut into
various staple length

13. Properties
Tenacity:
For staple fiber:
Dry: 2-3.6 g/denier
Wet: 1.6- 2.7 g/denier
For filament:
Dry: 4.0-4.1 g/denier
Wet: 3.0-3.8 g/denier
Tensile strength:
Staple:
30,000-45,000 lb/sq inch
Filaments:
50,000- 75,000 lb/sq inch

14. Elongation:
Staple fiber:
20-55 %
Filament:
30-36%
Elastic recovery:
90-95 % recovery at 1%
stretch
50-60% at 10% stretch
Specific gravity:
1.16-1.18
Effect of moisture:
1-3%
the water absorption is
low

15. Thermal properties:
they tend to stick to metal surface at 215-255
degree centigrade
Effect of sunlight:
Excellent resistance to sunlight and after almost
600 hours exposure, tenacity of fiber is 96% of
original tenacity

16. Effect of Acids:
they are unaffected by dilute solutions of strong
acids but are affected by concentrated solutions
Effect of Alkalis:
Only strong alkali attack fiber e.g. NaOH
Insects:
they are not attacked by micro-organisms

17. End uses:
Used for apparel, knitwea, Blankets, and carpets