Preparation and properties of fibers containing mixed polymers. I. Polyacrylonitrile‐cellulose acetate fibers

Abstract

Abstract Fibers containing both polyacrylonitrile and cellulose acetate were spun using dimethyl formamide as a solvent. The relative polymer proportions ranged from 100% polyacrylonitrile to 20% polyacrylonitrile. The x‐ray diffraction patterns, optical appearance, solubility, density, absorptive capacity for water and dyes, electrical resistivity and mechanical properties of the fibers were studied, and experimental results are given. In addition several experiments bearing on the structure of the fibers and the compatibility of the spinning solutions are reported. The results indicate that the fibers contain discrete regions of each polymer. It is probable that, for most of the relative concentration range, continuous networks of each polymer extend throughout the fiber. In addition void spaces, probably resulting from the drawing of the fibers, appear to be present.