Last Updated on February 17, 2024
Acrylic fabric is characterized by its voluminous fibers, which make it a suitable substitute for wool. Its main characteristics and uses are similar to those of other materials. For this reason, acrylic fabric is the most used in producing sweaters, jackets, dresses, and scarves.
This is because acrylic fabric is a material whose touch is much softer and requires much simpler care. It is a very useful material used in many sectors, especially in the textile industry. However, it is often confused with wool despite having different characteristics and properties.
Highlights:
- Acrylic fabric, like synthetic wool, is soft and durable, perfect for clothing like sweaters.
- It’s made from petroleum, making it weather-resistant and suitable for outdoor items.
- Used in fashion and outdoor furnishings, acrylic is low-maintenance and hypoallergenic.
- Polyester is breathable, while acrylic keeps you warm—both have similar uses.
- Acrylic doesn’t itch like wool, and washing with cold water keeps it in good shape for longer.
Therefore, we will help you with an overview of acrylic fabric below, along with some insight into its properties and primary applications across many industries.
Additional Resources – Is Acrylic Fabric Good for Winter?
What is Acrylic Fabric?
Acrylic fabric is a synthetic fiber that is made using petroleum products, primarily from a material called acrylonitrile. It has a similar texture to cotton or wool, but is more softer and more durable. This substance is also known by the term “synthetic wool.”
Acrylonitrile is a colorless, flammable liquid formed from polypropylene plastic. It is used to make acrylic fibers that are highly resistant to climatic aggression and, of course, can defend against sunlight.
It also can retain heat along with to these qualities. Also, the fabric’s hypoallergenic qualities inhibit the growth of fungi, mites, and germs on their surface, and they are incredibly light. Acrylic textiles are also recommended for persons who have allergy issues.
In the same way, this material is capable of withstanding attacks by moths, eliminating moisture quickly and avoiding the degradation that occurs due to the incidence of sunlight on fabrics. For this reason, it is often used widely to make awnings, umbrellas, and upholstery for furniture for outdoor use.
Uses of Acrylic Fabric
The DuPont company was associated with the invention of acrylic cloth in the 1950s. We have previously seen all its characteristics and properties.
For this reason, it currently has many uses, since it is used as a method of sun protection, to make curtains, umbrellas, and awnings, as well as to make clothing, threads, upholstery, cushions, pillows, rugs, and for upholstering outdoor furniture. This is because it is a fabric that has a long, useful life, is easy to clean, and does not require too much care.
Difference Between Acrylic and Polyester Fabric
Both polyester and acrylic fabric are synthetic materials widely used in the fashion industry and other fields. These fibers allow the manufacture of clothing, footwear, bags, tents, awnings, umbrellas and parasols, outdoor furniture, etc. In both cases, they are usually mixed with other fibers of natural origin to give the products greater flexibility, durability, and resistance.
As you can see, these materials have, broadly speaking, great similarities in terms of their characteristics and properties since they have very similar uses. However, quite notable differences can be found when examining them more closely.
Polyethylene terephthalate is used to make polyester, while acrylonitrile from natural gas processing is used to make acrylic. To substitute materials with a natural origin, both were invented in the 1950s.
In the same way, polyester was suggested as a substitute for cotton and silk, and acrylic fabric was created to replace wool in all of its applications. It is nearly impossible to tell these synthetic materials apart from the natural textiles they are meant to replace at first glance.
Polyester is a durable fabric that does not wrinkle and maintains its shape after being subjected to considerable heat sources. In addition, its fibers have the property of maintaining color and taking a long time to deteriorate. This also happens with acrylic fabrics.
If we want to observe the main difference between acrylic fabric and polyester, polyester has more breathable properties, while acrylic is a much more insulating fabric better suited to retaining body heat during the winter.
Is Acrylic Itchy Like Wool?
It is obviously a synthetic fabric, even if its cost is far lower, with qualities that are almost identical with those of wool. Also unlike wool fibers, it does not itch when in contact with the skin, making it a soft and comfortable material for apparel.
We remind you that clothes are made of acrylic fabric if you still have questions about its quality. Thus, it offers excellent resistance along with durability. It also has other good qualities, like maintaining our body temperature while we wear it.
Furthermore, resistant to environmental stresses and sunshine, we can confidently state that the acrylic fabric is high-quality.
Additional Resources:
How to Wash Acrylic Clothes?
This kind of fabric has many benefits, but it also absorbs both strong and weak odors easily, meaning it should be washed a lot.
Washing and maintenance are very simple since they can be washed by hand and in the washing machine. In both cases, we recommend using cold water to avoid damaging the material it is made of, for example, an acrylic t-shirt.
It is true that when this material ages, it may present pills. However, we can greatly extend its useful life if you turn it inside out before washing it, regardless of whether you do it in the washing machine or by hand. Remember that it is better to use cold water and gentle spin programs to protect the material.
As for drying, it is possible to do it whether you let it dry outdoors or use the dryer. However, to preserve the integrity of the acrylic fabric, you should use a short program and do not raise the temperature too much.
Conclusion
Now that you understand what acrylic fabric is, its benefits and drawbacks, whether acrylic is itchy like wool, and how to care for it properly. To keep them in good condition for a long time, we believe that you can significantly extend the life of your clothes.
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