Is polyacrylonitrile an addition or condensation polymer?

Is Polyacrylonitrile an Addition or Condensation Polymer?

When looking at the chemistry of plastics and synthetic fibers, polyacrylonitrile stands out as a classic example of an addition polymer. Unlike condensation polymers—which typically release small molecules like water during their formation—addition polymers grow by simply linking monomer units together without losing any atoms along the way.

The creation of polyacrylonitrile starts with its building block, acrylonitrile. In the presence of a peroxide catalyst, the double bonds within the acrylonitrile molecules open up. These open bonds allow the molecules to join end-to-end in a chain reaction, rapidly building a long, stable polymer backbone.

Because the entire mass of the starting monomer is fully retained within the final polymer chain, the process is classified strictly as addition polymerization. This straightforward reaction yields a material renowned for its strength, chemical resistance, and ability to be drawn into durable synthetic fibers like acrylic, widely used in textiles, carpets, and outdoor gear.