ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the fabrication, characterization, testing, and application of chemo (pH-activated) electromechanical artificial muscles made from ionic
p
oly-
a
crylo
n
itrile, or simply PAN, material. PAN in its nonionic form can commercially be obtained under the trade name Orlon™. It is made by polymerizing acrylonitrile monomer:
---CH
CH---CH
CH---CH
CH---CH
CH--- | | | | (4.1)
CN CN CN CN
As defined in the Merck Index, PAN is made of white fibers that stick at 235
°
C. It becomes yellow at ironing temperatures above 160
°
C. It has flammability similar to that of rayon and cotton. More importantly, it has very good resistance to mineral acids and excellent resistance to common solvents, oils, greases, neutral salts, and sunlight. It has fairly good resistance to weak alkalides, but is degraded by strong alkalides. It also resists attacks by molds, mildew, and insects.
