Polyacrylonitrile
In 1893 acrylonitrile was prepared by
Moureu. The monomer found use as a copolymer with
styrene, and especially as a terpolymer with
styrene and butadiene (ABS).
The homopolymer was developed for the manufacture
of fibres in 1940, after a suitable solvent had
been discovered by DuPont in the USA. Bayer
developed an aqueous based solution.
Pilot scale production was commenced by DuPont in
1943, initially as 'Fibre A' and full scale
production in 1950 as 'Orlon'.
Production in the UK began in 1959 as 'Courtelle'
and 'Acrilan'.
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