Acrylic fibers electrically conducting

Process. Any standard precursor material can be used, but the preferred material is wet spun Courtaulds special acrylic fiber (SAF), oxidized by RK Carbon Fibers Co. to form 6K Panox B oxidized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber (OPF). This OPF is treated ia a nitrogen atmosphere at 450—750°C, preferably 525—595°C, to give fibers having between 69—70% C, 19% N density less than 2.5 g/mL and a specific resistivity under 10 ° ohm-cm. If crimp is desired, the fibers are first knit iato a sock before heat treating and then de-knit. Controlled carbonization of precursor filaments results ia a linear Dow fiber (LDF), whereas controlled carbonization of knit precursor fibers results ia a curly carbonaceous fiber (EDF). At higher carbonizing temperatures of 1000—1400°C the fibers become electrically conductive (22). 

Conductive blacks, 4 775, 799-800 Conductive coatings, 4 712-713 Conductive energy flux, 25 275-276 Conductive fibers, acrylic, 44 219 Conductivity, 46 512. See also Electrical conductivity... 

Dry cotton and wool do not conduct electricity very well, but, at ambient relative humidity above 60%, they adsorb enough moisture to dissipate static charge [20], The situation is quite different with low-polarity fibers such as synthetic fibers, e.g., polyester (Dacron), polyamide (nylon), polyacrylonitrile (acrylics), and vinyl [4, 10], Even at 60% relative humidity, they remain poor conductors. 

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