MEET ACRYLIC
FROM:
Polymer
IS IT SUSTAINABLE?
No.
IS IT DURABLE?
Yes, but releases toxic chemicals into the environment on its long journey to decomposition.
IS IT BREATHABLE?
No.
IS IT WARM?
No.
HISTORY:
Acrylic fiber was first developed in the late 1940s by a team of scientists at DuPont, a leading chemical company based in the United States. The team, led by researchers William Chalmers and Eugene G. Rochow, was exploring ways to create synthetic fibers as alternatives to natural fibers. DuPont introduced acrylic fiber to the market in 1950 under the brand name “Orlon®.” It quickly gained popularity as a synthetic fiber with properties similar to wool but at a lower cost.
Acrylic fiber was known for its softness, lightweight nature, and insulation properties. It had the ability to retain warmth even when wet, making it a suitable alternative to wool.The textile industry uses acrylic fibre extensively. Acrylic fibres are preferred for colourful and long-lasting fabrics since they were simple to dye and had good colorfastness.
As technology developed over time, the manufacturing process improved and new varieties of acrylic fibre were created. This included modifications to enhance the fiber’s softness, strength, and resistance to pilling. Acrylic fiber gained popularity due to its affordability and versatility.
While acrylic fiber offers certain advantages, it is important to note that it is made from petrochemicals, which raises environmental concerns. Acrylic fibre is produced using energy-intensive techniques and non-renewable resources.
PRODUCTION PROCESS:
The process begins with the polymerization of acrylonitrile monomers. Which sounds very enigmatic and science-y but I’ll explain it in simpler terms. To make acrylic fiber, they start by combining small building blocks called acrylonitrile, which come from a material called propylene found in oil. They mix these building blocks with other chemicals, like catalysts and initiators, and a chemical reaction happens, creating polymer chain, resulting in a liquid called a “dope.”. The dope is then pumped into a spinneret, which is a device with small holes. The dope is forced through the spinneret’s holes, and as it emerges, it solidifies into fibers due to a process called dry spinning. The fibers are stretched to align the molecules and increase their strength.
Once the fibers are made, they go through a special bath called “coagulation bath”. This bath has water and some chemicals that make the fibers solid and remove the chemicals used to create them. This makes the fibers strong and stable. Then, the fibers are washed to clean them, using water to remove any leftover chemicals and dirt.
After the fibers are cleaned, they go through some final steps to make them better for different uses. They might be treated with heat, colored, or coated to make them softer, shinier, and stronger. The long fibers are cut into shorter pieces called staple fibers. These staple fibers can be used on their own or mixed with other fibers like cotton or wool to create yarns with special qualities. For example, acrylic fibers can be mixed with natural fibers to make fabrics that are warm, soft, or good at absorbing moisture.
Once the shorter fibers are ready, they are twisted together to make yarn using different spinning methods. The acrylic yarns are then used to create fabrics.
