Acrylic fibers basic properties

Because of the repulsion of the cyanide groups the polymer backbone assumes a rod-like conformation. The fibers derive their basic properties from this stiff structure of PAN where the nitrile groups are randomly distributed about the backbone rod. Because of strong bonding between the chains, they tend to form bundles. Most acrylic fibers actually contain small amounts of other monomers, such as methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate. As they are difficult to dye, small amounts of ionic monomers, such as sodium styrene sulfonate, are often added to improve their dyeability. Other monomers are also employed to improve dyeability. These include small amounts (about 4%) of more hydrophilic monomers, such as -vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (Equation 6.69), methacrylic add, or 2-vinylpyridine (Equation 6.70). 

Lulay [351] has compared acrylic fiber properties against other fibers, and the comparisons are shown in Table 12.18. A scale of five (highest or best) to one (lowest or poorest) was used to assess properties. The basic properties of the various fibers have been translated to end-use performance, and the importance of these performance properties to the consumer for apparel has been segregated into three categories highly desired, somewhat desired, and... 

Uses Retarder, leveling agent for basic dyes on acrylic fibers Properties Liq. 50% cone. 

Poly(acrylonitrile) fibers have very good light and weathering stability, high bulk strength, and good heat retention properties. Their wool-like character makes them particularly useful for sweaters and other overwear. The poor dyeability is improved by copolymerization with 4% 2-vinyl pyridine or AT-vinyl pyrrolidone (basic dyes), 4% acrylic acid or methallyl... 

Fibers are the basic element of nonwovens world consumption of fibers in nonwoven production is 63% polypropylene, 23% polyester, 8% viscose rayon, 2% acrylic, 1.5% polyamide and 3% other high performance fibers [8]. The data in Fig. 10.4 shows the market share of important polymers and fibers in the nonwovens market. Manufacturers of nonwoven products can make use of almost any kind of fibers. These include traditional textile fibers, as well as recently developed hi-tech fibers. Future advancements will be in bicomponent fibers, micro-fibers (split bicomponent fibers or meltblown nonwovens), nano-fibers, biodegradable fibers, super-absorbent fibers and high performance fibers. The selection of raw fibers, to a considerable degree, determines the properties of the final nonwoven products. The selection of fibers also depends on customer requirement, cost, processability, changes of properties because of web formation and consolidation. The fibers can be in the form of filament, staple fiber or even yam. 

Vinyl fibers are those man-made fibers spun from polymers or copolymers of substituted vinyl monomers and include vinyon, vinal, vinyon-vinal matrix (polychlal), saran, and polytetrafluoroethylene fibers. Acrylic, modacrylic and polyolefin—considered in Chapters 8 and 9—are also formed from vinyl monomers, but because of their wide usage and particular properties they are usually considered as separate classes of fibers. The vinyl fibers are generally specialty fibers due to their unique properties and uses. AH of these fibers have a polyethylene hydrocarbon backbone with substituted functional groups that determine the basic physical and chemical properties of the fiber. 

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