Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon fiber of improved oxidation resistance, which has a specific volume resistance of at least about 1.2.times.10.sup.-3 ohm cm, and containing at least about 2 wt. % of nitrogen and less than about 0.07 wt. % of total metal impurities. The carbon fiber is produced by using as the precursor fiber an acrylonitrile copolymer fiber, which copolymer is comprised of at least 95 mole % of units derived from acrylonitrile and not more than 5 mole % of units derived from a carboxyl group containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomers; the hydrogen atom of at least one --COOH contained in each of the units derived from the carboxyl group-containing monomer or monomers being replaced with a cation selected from ##STR1## wherein R is H, (C1-3) alkyl or phenyl; the replacement being to such an extent that the units having the cation occupy at least 0.1 mole %, based on the copolymer; and which copolymer contains less than about 0.05 wt. % of the total metal impurities.

Abstract: An antistatic acrylic fiber having an electrical resistivity of about 10.sup.8 .OMEGA. centimeters or less. The fiber comprises (A) an acrylonitrile homopolymer or copolymer and (B) an antistatic polymer comprising a plurality of polyether segments disposed in said polymer (A), and wherein electrically conductive carbon black is dispersed in antistatic polymer (B). Preferably antistatic polymer (B) extends in the form of long and slender stripes in the polymer (A).

Abstract: An acrylic fiber having excellent antistatic properties is obtained by mixing a polymer (A) consisting mainly of acrylonitrile with a copolymer (B) consisting mainly of a polyetherpolyester block copolymer consisting of a polyester and compound represented by the general formula (1): ##EQU1## (wherein each of m and n is O or a positive integer, wherein 25 .ltoreq. m + n .ltoreq. 1000, and m .gtoreq. 10).