polyacrylonitrile

[ pol-ee-ak-ruh-loh-nahy-tril, -treel, -trahyl ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a polymer of acrylonitrile used in the manufacture of Orlon and other synthetic textiles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyacrylonitrile¹

First recorded in 1930–35; poly- + acrylonitrile

Example Sentences

Bonlender said two companies are considering Washington as a location to make polyacrylonitrile — the synthetic polymer fiber known as PAN that’s the precursor material used to make the carbon-fiber thread.

From Seattle Times

Bonlender said two companies are considering Washington as a location to make polyacrylonitrile — the synthetic polymer fiber known as PAN that’s the precursor material used to make the carbon-fiber thread.

From Seattle Times

Made of polyacrylonitrile, these nanofibres seem to defy logic — the thinner they get, the stronger and tougher they become.

From Nature

More than 90 percent of carbon fibers use the petroleum-based precursor polyacrylonitrile, or PAN, as their raw material.

From Scientific American