Acrylic
. Acrylic, chemical name for the organic group, which occurs in acrylic acid and in the esters of this acid, called acrylates, such as methyl acrylate. Acrylic resins , often called acrylics, are made by the polymerization of acrylates or other monomers containing the acrylic group. Acrylic compounds are thermoplastic (able to soften or fuse when heated and reharden upon cooling), impervious to water , and have low densities. These qualities make them suitable for the manufacture of a variety of objects and substances, including molded structural materials, adhesives, and textile fibers. Such fibers are used to weave durable, easily laundered fabrics that resist shrinkage. Acrylic paints—emulsions of pigments, water, and clear, nonyellowing acrylic resins—dry quickly without changing color and do not darken with time.