Acrylic the Artificial Wool Fibers

Acrylic can be thought of as artificial wool. It is made from the unlikely combination of coal, air, water, oil and limestone.

Manufacturing

Acrylic 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.

Properties and Uses

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.

Characteristics of Acrylic Fibers and Products

Resists abrasion (but can "pill")
Very resilient (springs back into shape)
Resist wrinkling
Very high heat can "melt" the fabric
The right amount of heat can be used to permanently "heat set" a crease or pleat
Easy to wash and wear
Does not absorb water (can be uncomfortable when worn next to the skin in warm weather unless loosely woven)
Dries quickly
Attracts static electricity which also attracts dirt and lint
Although they do NOT absorb water, they DO absorb oil and grease. This means synthetics
resist soiling, but once an oil based stain soaks in, it can be difficult to clean.
Lightweight and fairly strong
Acrylic can bulk to look like wool
Drapes well and accepts dye easily

Reviews

Acrylic is an artificial fiber often used as a wool substitute.
Acrylic became commercially available in 1950.

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Acrylic Fibres - manmade artificial fibres

Acrylic fibres are polymers formed by addition polymerization of at least 85% by weight of a chemical called acrylonitrile or vinyl chanide. To polymerise vinyl cyanide the double bond between the first two carbon atoms is broken and the molecules attach themselves to each other in a linear chain.

Nylon

Nylon does not absorb water – this is great for some uses, but also means that nylon fabric and movement combine to create static electricity.