Modacrylic
Encyclopedia
A modacrylic is a synthetic copolymer. Modacrylics are soft, strong, resilient, and dimensionally stable. They can be easily dyed, show good press and shape retention, and are quick to dry. They have outstanding resistance to chemicals and solvents, are not attacked by moths or mildew, and are nonallergenic. Among their uses are in apparel linings
, furlike outerwear, paint-roller covers, scatter rugs, carpets, and work clothing and as hair in wigs.
Commercial production of modacrylic fiber began in 1949 by Union Carbide Corporation in the United States . Modacrylic and acrylic fiber
s are similar in composition and at one time were in the same category. In 1960 the Federal Trade Commission
decided to separate the two fibers and establish a category for each.
The Federal Trade Commission defines modacrylic fibers as manufactured fibers in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of less than 85%, but at least 35% weight acrylonitrile
units except when the polymer qualifies as rubber.
The modacrylic fibers are produced by polymerizing the components, dissolving the copolymer in acetone
, pumping the solution into the column of warm air (dry-spun), and stretching while hot.
Modacrylics are creamy or white and are produced in tow
and staple form. If looked at in cross section views they have an irregular shape. Modacrylic fibers are also produced in many different lengths, crimp levels, deniers and they can have various shrinkage potentials.
Current modacrylic fiber producers include Solutia Inc. in the U.S. and Kaneka Corporation in Japan.
and do not combust. The fibers are difficult to ignite and will self-extinguish. In addition to a modacrylic's flame retardant properties it has a relatively high durability that is comparable to wool. Modacrylic fibers have a moderate resistance to abrasion and a very low tenacity.
Modacrylics are poor conductors of heat. The fabrics are soft, warm and resilient but are prone to pilling
and matting. Modacrylics display high performance when it comes to appearance retention. The fibers are quite resilient and will not wrinkle. They also have great dimensional stability and high elastic recovery, which gives them the ability to hold their shape.
, mildew
and sunlight
. Modacrylic fabrics can be machine washed using warm water and tumble dried on a low setting. Modacrylic pieces can also be dry-cleaned, however, they should not be steamed and should only be tumbled on cold. Some fabrics may also be cleaned using the furrier method (a special non immersion cleaning process). The fibers are heat sensitive and will shrink at 250 °F and will stiffen at temperatures over 300 °F.
worn by electrical linemen). The combination of flame retardancy and low density is also useful in furnishings, draperies, and outdoor fabrics.
Modacrylics are also commonly used in fake fur
fabrics, toupées, wigs and fleece
-type fabric. By mixing the various forms of fibers it is easy to create a realistic fur look. The fabrics can then be sheared or embossed to create a closer resemblance to fur. The heat-sensitivity of modacrylic also allows wigs and hairpiece to be curled and heat styled without damage.
Modacrylics are also used in fleece, knit-pile fabric backings, and nonwoven fabrics. Other uses of modacrylics include paint rollers, industrial fabrics, stuffed toys and filters.
Lining (sewing)
In sewing and tailoring, a lining is an inner layer of fabric, fur, or other material inserted into clothing, hats, luggage, curtains, handbags and similar items....
, furlike outerwear, paint-roller covers, scatter rugs, carpets, and work clothing and as hair in wigs.
Commercial production of modacrylic fiber began in 1949 by Union Carbide Corporation in the United States . Modacrylic and acrylic fiber
Acrylic fiber
Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers made from a polymer 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 comonomers are vinyl acetate or methyl acrylate...
s are similar in composition and at one time were in the same category. In 1960 the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
decided to separate the two fibers and establish a category for each.
The Federal Trade Commission defines modacrylic fibers as manufactured fibers in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of less than 85%, but at least 35% weight acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile is the chemical compound with the formula C3H3N. This pungent-smelling colorless liquid often appears yellow due to impurities. It is an important monomer for the manufacture of useful plastics. In terms of its molecular structure, it consists of a vinyl group linked to a nitrile...
units except when the polymer qualifies as rubber.
Production
Modacrylic fibers are modified acrylic fibers made from acrylonitriles, but larger amounts of other polymers are added to make the copolymers.The modacrylic fibers are produced by polymerizing the components, dissolving the copolymer in acetone
Acetone
Acetone is the organic compound with the formula 2CO, a colorless, mobile, flammable liquid, the simplest example of the ketones.Acetone is miscible with water and serves as an important solvent in its own right, typically as the solvent of choice for cleaning purposes in the laboratory...
, pumping the solution into the column of warm air (dry-spun), and stretching while hot.
Modacrylics are creamy or white and are produced in tow
Tow
In the composites industry, a tow is an untwisted bundle of continuous filaments, and it refers to man-made fibres, particularly carbon fibres ....
and staple form. If looked at in cross section views they have an irregular shape. Modacrylic fibers are also produced in many different lengths, crimp levels, deniers and they can have various shrinkage potentials.
Current modacrylic fiber producers include Solutia Inc. in the U.S. and Kaneka Corporation in Japan.
Properties
A modacrylic has properties that are similar to an acrylic. However, modacrylics are flame retardantFlame retardant
Flame retardants are chemicals used in thermoplastics, thermosets, textiles and coatings that inhibit or resist the spread of fire. These can be separated into several different classes of chemicals:...
and do not combust. The fibers are difficult to ignite and will self-extinguish. In addition to a modacrylic's flame retardant properties it has a relatively high durability that is comparable to wool. Modacrylic fibers have a moderate resistance to abrasion and a very low tenacity.
Modacrylics are poor conductors of heat. The fabrics are soft, warm and resilient but are prone to pilling
Pill (textile)
A pill, colloquially known as a bobble, is a small ball of fibres that forms on a piece of cloth from wear. Pill is also a verb for the formation of such balls....
and matting. Modacrylics display high performance when it comes to appearance retention. The fibers are quite resilient and will not wrinkle. They also have great dimensional stability and high elastic recovery, which gives them the ability to hold their shape.
Care
Modacrylics are sensitive to loss of appearance due to improper care; therefore, it is important to know how to care for modacrylics. Modacrylics are resistant to acids, weak alkalis, and organic solvents. These fibers are also resistant to mothsMoths
Moths may refer to:* Gustav Moths , German rower* The Moths!, an English indie rock band* MOTHS, members of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats...
, mildew
Mildew
Mildew refers to certain kinds of molds or fungi.In Old English, it meant honeydew , and later came to mean mildew in the modern sense of mold or fungus....
and sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight, in the broad sense, is the total frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. On Earth, sunlight is filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, and solar radiation is obvious as daylight when the Sun is above the horizon.When the direct solar radiation is not blocked...
. Modacrylic fabrics can be machine washed using warm water and tumble dried on a low setting. Modacrylic pieces can also be dry-cleaned, however, they should not be steamed and should only be tumbled on cold. Some fabrics may also be cleaned using the furrier method (a special non immersion cleaning process). The fibers are heat sensitive and will shrink at 250 °F and will stiffen at temperatures over 300 °F.
Uses
Modacrylics are used primarily in applications where environmental resistance or flame retardancy is necessary or required. Modacrylics have the ability to combine flame retardancy with a relatively low density, meaning protective gear is not uncomfortably heavy (i.e. shirts and trousersTrousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
worn by electrical linemen). The combination of flame retardancy and low density is also useful in furnishings, draperies, and outdoor fabrics.
Modacrylics are also commonly used in fake fur
Fake fur
Fake fur, also called fun fur or faux fur, is any material made of synthetic fibers designed to resemble fur, normally as part of a piece of clothing...
fabrics, toupées, wigs and fleece
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
-type fabric. By mixing the various forms of fibers it is easy to create a realistic fur look. The fabrics can then be sheared or embossed to create a closer resemblance to fur. The heat-sensitivity of modacrylic also allows wigs and hairpiece to be curled and heat styled without damage.
Modacrylics are also used in fleece, knit-pile fabric backings, and nonwoven fabrics. Other uses of modacrylics include paint rollers, industrial fabrics, stuffed toys and filters.