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Title
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Acrylic
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Description
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Acrylic fiber is a synthetic fiber made primarily from the polymer polyacrylonitrile. The fibers are produced through wet or dry spinning processes in which the polymer is dissolved and extruded into a chemical bath or warm air to form filaments. Acrylic fibers are lightweight, soft, and warm, often used as a substitute for wool. They have good resistance to sunlight and chemicals and retain color well when dyed. Acrylic became widely used in clothing and household textiles during the mid-twentieth century. While the fiber is durable and inexpensive to produce, it is petroleum-derived and contributes to environmental concerns such as microplastic shedding.
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Alternative Title
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Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), Orlon
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Bibliographic Citation
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Kadolph, Sara J. Textiles.
Image: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/olympusmicd/galleries/oblique/orlonacrylicfiber.html
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Creator
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DuPont
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Date
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1941
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Source
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Textile Fiber Products Identification Act
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Spatial Coverage
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United States
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Subject
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acrylic fiber;
polyacrylonitrile;
synthetic textiles;
wool substitute;
polymer fibers
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Type
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Synthetic fiber
