Orlon

Orlon is a trademarked acrylic fiber produced by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) that originated in the mid-20th century. The fiber is based on polyacrylonitrile and was developed to provide a lightweight, soft, and dyeable synthetic alternative to wool. Orlon was first marketed in the early 1940s and became widely used in clothing, knitwear, blankets, upholstery, and carpet fibers in the postwar period.

Orlon fibers can be manufactured as staple or filament and are valued for warmth, good color retention, resistance to wrinkling, and general resiliency. The fiber accepts synthetic dyes readily, enabling bright and durable colors. Orlon can be produced alone or blended with other fibers to combine properties such as warmth, strength, or improved texture.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the popularity of acrylic fibers faced competition from polyester and other materials, but Orlon remained in production and found uses across textile and home furnishings. The Orlon brand is one of several acrylic fiber brands created to market polyacrylonitrile fibers; international equivalents include other brands that share similar polymer chemistry but are marketed by different companies. Orlon’s legacy lies in its role as one of the early widely adopted synthetic fibers that expanded options for warmth, color, and durability in textiles.