REPORT:

Submitted to: Sir Imran Raza MalikSubmitted by: Zargham Shafi Discipline: TS-1

ACRYLIC:

INTRODUCTION:

Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers made from a polymer

(polyacrylonitrile) with an average molecular weight of ~100,000, about 1900 monomer units. To be called acrylic in the U.S, the polymer must contain at least 85% acrylonitrile monomer.

Typical co monomers are vinyl acetate or methyl acrylate. DuPont created the first acrylic fibers in 1941 and trademarked them under the name Orlon. Acrylic is also called acrilan fabric. It was first developed in the mid-1940s but was not produced in large quantities until the 1950s.

PRODUCTION OF ACRYLIC IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES:

Production of acrylic fibers is centered in the Far East, Turkey, India, Mexico, and South America, though a number of European producers still continue to operate, including Dralon and Fisipe. US producers have ended production, though acrylic tow and staple are still spun into yarns in the USA. Former U.S. brands of acrylic were Acrilan (Monsanto), Creslan (American Cyanamid), and Orlon (DuPont). Other brand names that are still in use include Dralon (Dralon GmbH) and Drytex (Sudamericana de Fibras, S.A.).

PRODUCTION:

The polymer is formed by free-radical polymerization in aqueous suspension. The fiber is produced by dissolving the polymer in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide or aqueous sodium thiocyanate, metering it through a multi-hole spinnerette and coagulating the resultant filaments in an aqueous solution of the same solvent (wet spinning) or evaporating the solvent in a stream of heated inert gas (dry spinning). Washing, stretching, drying and crimping complete the processing. Acrylic fibers are produced in a range of deniers, typically from 0.9 to 15, as cut staple or as a 500,000 to 1 million filament tow.

PRODUCTION:

FLOW SHEET OF MANUFACTURING OF ACRYLIC FIBERS:

ACRYLIC

SOURCE Acrylonitrile STRENGTH Good strength

ELASTICITY Low elasticity.

RESILIENCE Very good

DRAPABILITY Satisfactory.

HEAT CONDUCTIVITY Bad conductor of heat

ABSORBENCY Little absorbency

WASHABILITY Easy to wash.

SHRINKAGE Excellent dimensional stability.

ACRYLIC

EFFECT OF HEAT Shrinks at 235C at higher temperature it decomposes.

EFFECT OF LIGHT one of the most light resistant fibers in textiles.

REACTION OF BLEACH Good resistance

REACTION OF ALKALIS Fair to good resistance to weak alkalis.

REACTION OF ACIDS Resistant to Acids

RESISTANCE TO Unaffected by insects.INSECTS

RESISTANCE TO Resistant to PerspirationPERSPIRATION

AFFINITY FOR DYES Excellent color fastness

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 affect 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.

TEXTILE USES:

Acrylic is lightweight, soft, and warm, with a wool-like feel. It can also be made to mimic other fibers, such as cotton, when spun on short staple equipment.

Some acrylic is extruded in colored or pigmented form; other is extruded in "ecru", otherwise known as "natural," "raw white," or "undyed."

Pigmented fiber has highest light-fastness. Its fibers are very resilient compared to both other synthetics and natural fibers. Some acrylic is used in clothing as a less expensive alternative to cashmere, due to the similar feeling of the materials.

Some acrylic fabrics may fuzz or pill easily, though there are low-pilling variants. Acrylic takes color well, is washable, and is generally hypoallergenic. End-uses include socks, hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, home furnishing fabrics, and awnings.

Acrylic is resistant to moths, oils, chemicals, and is very resistant to deterioration from sunlight exposure.

Acrylic is the "workhorse" hand-crafting fiber for crafters who knit or crochet; acrylic yarn may be perceived as "cheap" because it is typically priced lower than its natural-fiber counterparts, and because it lacks some of their properties, including softness and propensity to felt. The fiber requires heat to "relax" or set the shape of the finished garment, and it isn't as warm when wet as alternatives like wool.

Some hand-knitters also complain that the fiber "squeaks" when knitted, or that it is painful to knit with because of a lack of "give" or stretch in the yarn. On the other hand, it can be useful in certain items, like garments for babies, which require constant washing, because it is machine-washable, hypo-allergenic, and extremely color-fast.

Acrylic can irritate the skin of people with dermatological conditions such as eczema.

ADVANTAGES:

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.

APPLICATIONS:

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, thermalunderwears, 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.

They are also used for making rag doll, toys, auxiliary tapes for bags, braids, cloth for bags, wigs, etc.

CARE OF ACRYLIC:

Dry Cleaned or laundered Iron at low temperature

Sweaters Knit garments Faux Fur Coats Pants Skirts Shoe soles

CLOTHING/FASHION USES: