ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Modacrylic

Modacrylic is a fancy type of plastic that is used to make things like clothes, wigs, and carpets. It's called "modacrylic" because it's a special blend of two different types of plastic (acrylic and vinyl chloride).

When you touch modacrylic clothing or wig hair, it might feel soft and fluffy like real hair or fur. This is because the plastic fibers are designed to be wiry and stick out in all directions, just like real hair or fur.

One cool thing about modacrylic is that it can be made to look like all sorts of different materials. For example, modacrylic fibers can be made to look like wool, cotton, or even leather. This is helpful because it allows people to create all sorts of different looks without having to use real animal products.

Modacrylic is also really good at resisting fire. This means that if you accidentally light a modacrylic wig or piece of clothing on fire, it will be less likely to burn up completely. This is important for safety reasons, especially if you work in a profession where you might be exposed to fire (like firefighting or welding).

Overall, modacrylic is a really interesting and versatile material that can be used to make all sorts of cool things.