Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers made from acrylonitrile monomers. They can be produced through wet or dry spinning processes. Some key properties of acrylic fibers include moisture wicking, warmth, softness, resilience, and UV and chemical resistance. Major uses of acrylic fibers include apparel like sweaters and socks, home furnishings like blankets and upholstery, and industrial applications like asbestos replacement. The global acrylic fiber market is expected to grow steadily due to demand in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America for acrylic fiber's moisture management properties and blending capabilities.

1. GREEN UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH
ASSIGNMENT
ACRYLIC FIBRE
COURSE TITLE : TEXTILE WET PROCESSING 1
COURSE CODE : TEX-213
Submitted By:
Amit Biswas
ID: 143003014
Department of Textile Engineering
Green University of Bangladesh
Submitted To:
MD. Mahbubur Rahman
Senior Lecturer & Program coordinator
Department of Textile engineering
Green University of Bangladesh

2. Acrylic Fibers
Everywhere today, there is demand for high performance fabrics. This has driven the fiber scientists and
material technologists for making specialty fibers. As a result, many hi- tech fibers have been developed
that are used in various fields. These fibers have high tenacity and high strength which are the
prerequisites for technical textiles. These high performance fibers find applications in every walk of life
including Space, Ocean, composites, aircrafts, defense, automobile and many more.
Synthetic fiber has been there as a cheap and easy to handle alternative to natural fiber. However, the new
man made high performance fibers have a much higher level of functionality which play a key role in the
field of high technology. One of these high performance fiber is the Acrylic fiber.
Acrylic Fibers:
Acrylic is our final fiber. It can be thought of as artificial wool. It is made from the unlikely combination of
coal, air, water, oil and limestone. DuPont first made acrylic fibers in 1944 and began commercial
production in 1950. It is spun by either dry spinning or wet spinning.
In dry spinning the dissolved polymers are extruded into warm air. The fibers solidify by evaporation. In
wet spinning the polymer is dissolved and extruded into a bath and then dried.
In some ways, acrylic imitates wool. It has wool's warmth and softness, but does not absorb water. Instead,
acrylic wicks moisture to the surface where it evaporates.
Acrylic is used in knitted apparels such as fleece, socks, sportswear and sweaters. It is also used to create
fake fur, craft yarns, upholstery fabric, carpet, luggage, awnings, and vehicle covers.
The acrylic fibers include acrylic, modacrylic, and other vinyl fibers containing cyanide groups as side
chains. Among the major acrylic fibers used in commerce, acrylonitrile is the comonomer containing a
cyanide group.
ACRYLIC:
Acrylic fibers are formed from wet or dry spinning of copolymers containing at least 85% acrylonitrile
units. After texturizing, acrylic fibers have a light bulky wool-like hand and overal wool-like aesthetics.
The fibers are resilient and possess excellent acid resistance and sunlight resistance. Acryl ics have been
used extensively in appl ications formerly reserved for wool or other keratin fibers .
Common trade names for acrylic fibers include Acrilan, Creslan, Orlon, Sayelle, and Zefran. Since the
acrylic fibers are usually texturized, they have a bulky wool-like hand and possess a moderate degree of
luster.

3. MODACRYLIC:
The modacrylics generally resemble acrylics and have a warm pleasing hand and good drapability,
resiliency and wrinkle resistance. They are more heat sensitive but more flame resistant than acrylics and
have generally been used in specialty applications.
Modacryl ic fiber trade names include Elura, SEF, Verel, and Zefran. Production of Dynel modacrylic
fibers was discontinued in 1975. Modacrylics possess warm wool-l ike aesthetics and a generally bright
luster. The fiber exhibits fair pilling and abrasion resistance. It has good wrinkle resistance and crease
retention if the fiber has been properly heat set.
Nytril:
Nytril fibers are made up of polymers containing at least 85% vinylidene dinitrile units, which appear at
least every other unit in the polymer chain. The comonomer used in Nytril synthesis is vinyl acetate.
Lastrile:
Lastrile fibers are fibers formed from copolymers of acrylonitrile and a diene such as butadiene and contain
10%-50% acrylonitrile units. Lastrile fibers have not been commercially produced.
What are Acrylic Fibers:
Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers that are made from any long chain synthetic polymer
composed of at least 85 % by weight of acrylonitrile units. Acrylic fabrics can be used
all the year round due to their comfort factor. Inspired from the consumers' demands
and a wide range of advantages, the apparel manufacturers utilize it for making various
clothing regardless of any specific season.
The key factor that lends acrylic fabric its quality of comfort is its ability of moisture
transportation or wicking. Acrylic fiber is characterized with inherent polarity i.e, the ability to attract and
convey moisture. Due to this quality acrylic fiber gives lifetime wicking capability to fabrics that are made
from it. These days the active wear or sports wear are growingly made from these acrylic fabrics as the
wearer feels more comfortable because of moisture management done by them.
Acrylic Tow Fiber
Acrylic Staple Fiber
First U.S. Commercial Acrylic Fiber Production: 1950, DuPont Company
Current U.S. Acrylic Fiber Producers: Not produced in the U.S. since 2005

4. Federal Trade Commission Definition for Acrylic Fiber: A manufactured fiber in which the fiber
forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of acrylonitrile
units (-CH2-CH[CN]-)x. (Complete FTC Fiber Rules here.)
Basic Principles of Acrylic Fiber Production — Acrylic fibers are produced from acrylonitrile, a
petrochemical. The acrylonitrile is usually combined with small amounts of other chemicals to improve the
ability of the resulting fiber to absorb dyes. Some acrylic fibers are dry spun and others are wet spun.
Acrylic fibers are used in staple or tow form. For a detailed production flowchart (wet and dry spun), go
here.
Acrylic fibers are modified to give special properties best suited for particular end-uses. They are unique
among synthetic fibers because they have an uneven surface, even when extruded from a round-hole
spinneret.
Acrylic Fiber Characteristics:
o Outstanding wickability & quick drying to move moisture from body surface
o Flexible aesthetics for wool-like, cotton-like, or blended appearance
o Easily washed, retains shape
o Resistant to moths, oil, and chemicals
o Dyeable to bright shades with excellent fastness
o Superior resistance to sunlight degradation
Some Major Acrylic Fiber Uses:
 Apparel: Sweaters, socks, fleece wear, circular knit apparel, sportswear and childrens wear
 Home Furnishings: Blankets, area rugs, upholstery, pile; luggage, awnings, outdoor furniture
 Other Uses: Craft yarns, sail cover cloth, wipe cloths
 Industrial Uses: Asbestos replacement; concrete and stucco reinforcement
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

5. PHYCAL PROPERTIES:
Cross section of acrylic fiber:

6. The acrylic process is a "one step technology", with the following main characteristics
1. polymerization in solution
2. direct feeding of the dope to spinning
3. wet spinning.
4. DMF as solvent for both polymerization and spinning

7. The uses of Acrylic fibers:
 Dresses
 Blankets
 Carpeting
 Children’s Garments
 Outdoor products such as
bunting and canopies.
 Sweaters
 Gloves
 Mats
 Knit Jersey
 Wrinkle resistant fabrics
 Pile and Fleece fabrics
 rugs

8. 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 affects 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.
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.
Moisture Dissipation Test :
In moisture dissipation test, fabrics are spun dry to evaluate their drying time. All the fabrics are started
with their own percentage of moisture based on the fiber's moisture regain. As cotton fabrics regain the
greatest amount of moisture and also take longest time to dry, it is used as the standard for comparison.
The data received from the test of various fibers are expressed in percentage as compared to cotton. For
example, nylon fabrics dry 60% faster than cotton and acrylic micro fiber fabrics dry 75% faster than cotton
Advantages of Acrylic Fibers:
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.
Application of Acrylic Fabrics:
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, thermal underwears, 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.

9.  They are also used for making rag doll, toys, auxiliary tapes for bags, braids, cloth for bags,
wigs, etc.
General Acrylic Fiber Care Tips:
 Wash delicate items by hand in warm water. Static electricity may be reduced by using a fabric
softener in every third or fourth washing. Gently squeeze out water, smooth or shake out garment and let
dry on a non-rust hanger. (Sweaters, however, should be dried flat.)
 When machine washing, use warm water and add a fabric softener during the final rinse cycle.
 Machine dry at a low temperature setting. Remove garments from dryer as soon as tumbling
cycle is completed.
 If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron. (For specific instructions, refer to garment’s
sewn-in care label.)
Acrylic fibre, commonly used for manufacturing apparels, outdoor furniture, boat covers, awnings, carpets
etc., is a synthetic fibre manufactured in various forms including acrylic staple, tow, and filament. Major
demand for acrylic fibre is expected to come from Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America
over the forecast period and the global acrylic fibre market is projected to reach a market value of US$
6,197.82 Mn by 2026 end, registering a CAGR of 3.6% over the forecast period.
Use of acrylic fibres blended with other materials is gaining popularity:
Use of acrylic fibre is growing as it is used by blending with other materials for imparting enhanced
characteristics to end products. Also, weak supply of its competitor products such as wool and cotton are
some of the factors impacting the global acrylic fibre market positively. These factors are expected to
influence and upsurge the demand for acrylic fibre over the forecast period. However, growing prominence
of acrylic fibre alternatives and limited demand for acrylic fibre in developed economies are expected to
remain significant challenges for the growth of the global acrylic fibre market throughout the forecast
period.
Market Segmentation:
Fibre Form Dyeing Method Blending End Use Region
Staple
Filament
Acid
Gel
Undyed
Wool
Cotton
Others
Apparels
Home Furnishing
Industrial
Outdoor
North America
Latin America
Western Europe
Eastern Europe

10. Fibre Form Dyeing Method Blending End Use Region
APEJ
Japan
Middle East and Africa (MEA)
The gel dying segment is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period
The gel dyeing segment is estimated to register a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period, creating total
incremental opportunity of US$ 1,100.85 Mn between 2016 and 2026.
The staple fibre segment is likely to possess more than 60% share in the total incremental
opportunity created between 2016 and 2026
The staple fibre segment is expected to hold a disproportionately large share in the global acrylic fibre
market throughout the forecast period, accounting for more than 60% share in the total incremental
opportunity created between 2016 and 2026.
Cotton blending segment is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period
The cotton blending segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period. When
used in blend with other materials, acrylic fibre enhances the physical and chemical characteristics of the
end product; therefore, acrylic fibre increasingly finds use in blend applications.
Apparels end-use segment is estimated to create a significant incremental opportunity between
2016 and 2026
The apparels end-use segment is projected to register a CAGR of 3.6% over the forecast period, creating
significant incremental opportunity between 2016 and 2026.
Lucrative opportunities for the global acrylic fibre market lie in the APEJ region
In terms of market value, the APEJ acrylic fibre market is projected to increase at a value CAGR of 4.4%
over the forecast period, while markets in Japan, U.S., and Europe are expected to register a below average
CAGR. Growth in the APEJ acrylic fibre market is largely attributed to a growing use of acrylic fibre for
various applications along with macroeconomic growth of the population driven textile industry in the
region.

11. Leading market players are focussing on adopting environment friendly production processes
Some key players in the global acrylic fibre market are Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii A.?. (Aksa), Dralon,
Aditya Birla Group, Jilin Chemical Fiber Group Company, TAEKWANG INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.,
Exlan Japan Co. Ltd., Kaneka Corporation, Indian Acrylics Limited, Pasupati Acrylon Ltd., and Vardhman
Acrylics Ltd. There are various stringent environmental regulations worldwide on the production of
acrylic fibre and hence producers are directing their efforts to ensure compliance by adopting an
environment friendly production process.