Aralac

Description

A regenerated protein fiber made from casein. Aralac is the US version of Lanital an earlier fiber made in Italy. Developed in the 1940s by Atlantic Research Associates, it was primarily used during World War II, when traditional materials like cotton and wool were strictly rationed. Aralac was mass-produced and often blended with rayon or acetate to make everyday clothing, toddler coats, blankets, and hats. Even though it was widely popular, the fibers lad low strength and poor abrasion resistance. After the war it was replaced by more durable fibers, such as acrylic and polyester.

See photomicrographs at Aralac: FRIL in Fiber Reference Image Library.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Milk fiber; milk wool

Brand names: Lanital [Snia Viscosa, Italy]; Aralac [U.S.]; Chinon [Toyobo Co., Japan]; Ardil [England]; Merinova [Italy]; Fibrolane [Courtaulds, England]; Vicara [Virginian-Carolina Chemical];

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Insoluble in dilute acids, hydrogen peroxide and most organic solvents. Affected by alkalis.
• Filaments are smooth.
• Cross sections = circular, bean-shaped.
• When wet, it smells like sour milk

Comparisons

Properties of Synthetic Fibers

Resources and Citations

• Joan Kiplinger 'Vintage Fabrics' at Fabrics.net
• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 153
• Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985
• Marjory L. Joseph, Introductory Textile Science, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Fort Worth, TX, 1986
• J.Gordon Cook, Handbook of Textile Fibres:II Man-made Fibres, Merrow Publishing Co. , Durham, England[[