What are the properties of acrylic?

Let us now discuss the properties of acrylic.

Microscopic Properties:
• Longitudinal section (L.S.) and cross-section (C.S.): The cross-section of acrylic fiber is influenced by the spinning method, the shape of the spinneret, type and rate of coagulation. The cross-section of acrylic fiber can be round, bean when the wet spinning process is involved and dog-bone shape when dry spinning is used.

Physical Properties:
• Length: Staple or short length acrylic fibers have more market. The short length of fibers ranges from 25-150mm. While the filament or long length acrylic fibers have a translucent and crimpy appearance which adds to the bulkiness of the yarns.
• Diameter: 15-25 m is the range for the diameter of acrylic fiber however the width can be altered by the manufacturers by changing the size of holes of the spinneret.
• Tenacity: The tenacity of acrylic fiber ranges from good to moderate which ranges from 2.2-3.6 g/den while there is a small loss in strength in wet condition because the water enters the amorphous region of the polymer and breaks some Vander Waals forces.
• Elongation and elastic recovery: Good elastic recovery is exhibited by acrylic fibers. The acrylic fabrics are crushed when the fiber polymer slips over one another imparting high elasticity to the fiber.
• Density: Acrylic fibers are quite light in weight and have a density of about 1.25g/ to 1.34g/.
• Resiliency: Acrylic fibers are extremely resilient and thus are employed for making pile fabric.
• Moisture regain: Since the crystalline region in the acrylic fiber is quite high so the moisture regain is low.
• Thermal Property: Acrylic fibers are inflammable and are quite stable in heat. The fibers are highly inflammable due to the presence of weak Vander Waals forces that hold the polymers together.

Chemical Properties:
• Acids: Acrylic fibers have good resistance to acids because the polymer system does not consist of any sort of chemical group that would respond on the addition of acids.
• Alkalis: These fibers are not much affected by treatment with alkalis.
• Organic Solvents: Acrylic fibers are not harmed by the use of organic solvents.

• The acrylic fibers are resistant to sunlight and do not degrade on by moth, mildew, bacteria and fungi.