Acrylonitrile polymer film and process for preparing same

Abstract

An acrylonitrile polymer film comprising at least 85 wt. % of acrylonitrile, wherein the difference in the value of the second moment of the broad-line NMR spectrum at 20.degree. C. between the film and the starting polymer powder thereof, or the polymer powder formed by dissolving the film and then precipitating the polymer from the solution, is at least 0.3 Gauss.sup.2 and the infrared dichroic ratio of the nitrile groups satisfies the requirements that 0.4<Ax/Az<0.8, 0.4<Ay/Az<0.8, and 0.8<Ax/Ay<1.25, where Ax and Ay are the absorption intensities of polarized infrared rays oscillating in respective directions parallel to the surface of the film and perpendicular to each other, and Az is the absorption intensity of polarized infrared rays oscillating in the direction perpendicular to the film surface. This film is prepared by coagulating an acrylonitrile polymer solution in an aqueous coagulating bath, adjusting the water content of the obtained water-containing coagulated film to from 20 to 100 wt. % based on the weight of the dry polymer, longitudinally stretching the film using rolls having a surface temperature of 65.degree. to 95.degree. C., then transversely stretching the film at a water content of from 10 to 40 wt. % based on the weight of the dry polymer, which is lower than the water content at the longitudinally stretching step, in an atmosphere maintained at from 100.degree. to 180.degree. C. by using a tenter. The film has improved brittleness characteristics such as tensile elongation, folding endurance, and impact strength.