Vinyon is a generic term for synthetic fiber made primarily from polyvinyl chloride. Vinyon fibers may also be called to as polyvinyl chloride fibers, especially outside the United States. It can bind non-woven fibers and fabrics. Its existence was known as early as 1937, and 1939 by the American Viscose Corporation had begun manufacturing a copolymer textile fiber made from vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate.
It has the same health problems associated with chlorinated polymers. In the past, Vinyon was used a substitute for plant-based filters in tea bags.
Vinyon fiber characteristics
As vinyon fiber is a generic term for copolymerized PVC fibers, properties will differ among different formulations. For modern vinyon fibers, the United States Federal Trade Commission sets its definition as a copolymer containing at least 85% vinyl chloride by mass.
History
Original fiber
In a 1940 description of vinyon, its structure was described as a linear copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate with "high-molecular-weight" that could be stretched create yarns for textiles. Staple fibers of vinyon N were commercialized in 1949 under the trademark Dynel and had begun to supersede the vinyl acetate copolymer by 1951.
Uses
With a relatively low softening and melting point, vinyon found use as a bonding agent for non-woven fabrics and products.
In 1952, the use of vinyon N as a graft for arterial defects was explored by Arthur Voorhees. This early work has been cited as an important development in the field of synthetic arterial grafts, though vinyon N was replaced by improved synthetic polymers with time.