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Title
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Modacrylic
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Description
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Modacrylic is a synthetic copolymer fiber developed in the mid-20th century as a modified form of acrylic. It is composed primarily of acrylonitrile units combined with other monomers, such as vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, which give the fiber enhanced properties. Modacrylic fibers are typically produced through solution spinning. They are known for their softness, resilience, and flame resistance, as well as their ability to retain shape and resist wrinkling. Because of these characteristics, modacrylic is commonly used in faux fur, wigs, pile fabrics, and protective clothing. In archival collections, modacrylic textiles may exhibit sensitivity to heat and can degrade through discoloration or loss of structural integrity over time. Like other synthetic fibers, it is petroleum-based and not biodegradable.
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Alternative Title
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Modified acrylic fiber; Acrylic copolymer fiber
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Bibliographic Citation
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Tortora, Phyllis G., and Sara B. Marcketti. Survey of Textiles.
Image: https://microlabgallery.com/gallery/Modacrylic21Adn%20fixed
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Creator
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Union Carbide Corporation
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Date
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1949
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Source
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Smithsonian Institution Textile History
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Spatial Coverage
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United States
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Subject
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modacrylic;
acrylic fibers;
synthetic fibers;
flame-resistant textiles;
polymer chemistry;
textile innovation
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Type
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Synthetic Fiber
