Polyacrylic fibres

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Polyacrylic fibres are synthetic fibres that are mainly used in interior textiles and covering clothing textiles and they are often mixed with wool as well as cotton. They are produced by polymerizing acrylonitrile. Acrylonitrile can also be used for the manufacture of flame-resistant fibre mod acrylic. Production takes place trough copolymerization with vinyl chloride. Acrylic fibres cannot melt without change. This means that you cannot use a melt-spinning process but must use dissolution and then use spinning on the solvent. (dimethylformamide). Both the manufacturing of polymers and in spinning can therefor result in the emission of volatile organic compounds. By its property of charring at elevated temperature, the acrylic fibres have also been used for producing carbon fibres. It has been claimed that acrylic fibres, due to its chemical composition, may form gases such as hydrogen cyanide and dicyan during combustion. Gas chromatography studies show that there are small amounts of these substances in combustion gases. On the other hand the same concentrations are also found in the combustion of all fibres containing nitrogen in their molecule, such as wool and polyamide.

Emissions: Emissions of monomers may occur in the polymer construction and the discharge of solvents in the dry spinning (from the solvent). For the most part, the emissions from spinning should consist of dimethylformamide. Since the acrylic fibre can contain other block-polymers emissions can vary depending on these additives. Water emissions: Emissions from the spinning process is insignificant. Spinning fluids that are added to the process end up in the textile industries waste water when the fabric is washed. Spinning oils consist primarily of mineral oil and surfactants.

Energy