Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers
(Vinylon Fibers)
Properties
Vinylon fibers are fibers in which the fiber-forming substance is any synthetic polymer composed of at least 50% by weight of vinyl alcohol (PVA) and in which the total vinyl alcohol units and any one or more acetal units in the fiber are at least 85 % by weight. The fiber is also known as vinal or vinylal.
Vinyl resin cannot be derived from its monomer because the monomer is not stable. Instead, it is produced by hydrolyzing polyvinyl acetate to polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). The polymer is then spun through a nozzle into a coagulating bath to coagulate the PVA polymer by either wet or dry spinning.1
PVA fibers that have high tenacity, high Young's modulus, low elongation, low creep, and excellent resistance to severe weather (UV) and chemicals (alkali, acid, oil, etc.). Fabrics made from this fiber have a cotton-like feel, good affinity to water, do not emit toxic gases when burned, and are easy to wash and dry, and thus, can replace cotton in many applications.
COMMERCIAL Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers
Major manufacturers of polvinyl alcohol fibers are Kuraray and Unitika.
Applications
Major applications include geo-textiles, ropes, agriculture and fish nets, paper, filters and other non-wovens. PVA fibers are also used as reinforcement in corrugated sheets for roofing applications (fiber cement).