Textile polymers: “Acrilan” fibres used in cloth, carpets, and blankets (a hard, horny, relatively high-melting synthetic fiber) are primarily composed of which polymer?

Introduction / Context:
Trade names in fibers often mask the underlying polymer chemistry. “Acrilan” is a well-known historical trade name for acrylic fiber types used in apparel and home textiles. Identifying the base polymer helps link properties—such as hand feel, dyeing behavior, and thermal response—to the chemistry of the repeating unit and processing route.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Acrilan” is an acrylic fiber trade name.
• Acrylic fibers are typically derived from acrylonitrile-rich copolymers.
• We focus on the principal polymer identity associated with Acrilan.

Concept / Approach:
Acrylic fibers are defined by a high acrylonitrile content in the polymer chain. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and its copolymers form hard, “horny,” relatively high-softening fibers with good wrinkle resistance and color fastness. PAN’s nitrile groups confer solvent resistance and a characteristic dyeing profile using appropriate dye classes. Other listed polymers—polyamides (nylons), saturated polyesters (PET), and alkyds—belong to different fiber or coating families with distinct performance and processing (e.g., melt spinning for nylon/PET versus solution spinning for PAN).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Textile references list Acrilan as an acrylic fiber made predominantly from polyacrylonitrile or its copolymers; such fibers are commonly solution-spun (wet/dry) rather than melt-spun due to PAN’s decomposition on melting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Polyamide: corresponds to nylons (e.g., nylon-6,6).
• Saturated polyester: PET fibers (terylene/dacron) differ in chemistry and processing.
• Alkyd resin: used in coatings, not apparel fibers.
• PVC: used in films, cables; not the basis of Acrilan.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “acrylic” with “polyester” due to similar textile applications like sweaters and blankets.

Final Answer:
Polyacrylonitrile