Abstract: High polyacrylonitrile polymers containing at least 85 percent acrylonitrile can be melt extruded into useful shaped articles when plasticized with a plasticizing system comprising a low boiling acetonitrile fraction and a high boiling fraction capable of plasticizing the polyacrylonitrile at extrusion temperatures.

Abstract: Method for making substantially void-free fibers having improved abrasion resistance wherein a spinning dope is formed by dissolving a dry acrylonitrile-containing polymer in a solvent/water mixture to form a spin dope which is wet spun at a temperature within the range of about 40.degree.C to about 75.degree.C. More specifically, the dope will contain from about 20 to about 28 weight percent of the polymer dissolved in a solvent containing about 1 to 8 weight percent water, based on the weight of the dope, with the solvent and water being mixed prior to contact with the polymer. The presence of water in the solvent brings about an improvement of the filamentary gel structure which results in fibers having enhanced durability and abrasion resistance.