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The effect of melt spinning process parameters on the spinnability of polyetheretherketone
Author(s) -
Mylläri Ville,
Skrifvars Mikael,
Syrjälä Seppo,
Järvelä Pentti
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.36930
Subject(s) - peek , spinning , materials science , composite material , melt spinning , scanning electron microscope , ultimate tensile strength , capillary action , viscosity , fiber , optical microscope , thermal stability , polymer , chemical engineering , engineering
This study has been carried out to investigate the processing parameters affecting polyetheretherketone's (PEEK) spinnability in a melt spinning process. PEEK has excellent mechanical and thermal properties and fibers made from it could be used in extreme environments. Different PEEK grades were characterized thermally and rheologically to see which one is the most suitable for fiber spinning. The spinning tests made with the most suitable grade (Victrex 151G) show that increased processing temperature, increased capillary diameter or shorter spinning path length improves spinnability. The best fibers made in optimal processing conditions (400°C temperature, 30/1 mm capillary, and 5 cm spinning path) were 18 μm in average diameter. Because of the limitations of the system used, variations in fiber thickness were noticeable and worsened the spinning stability. Scanning electron microscope photos confirmed these variations, and they were also visible in an optical microscope. The selected low‐viscosity PEEK grade provided good spinnability but gave filaments with only mediocre mechanical properties, the tensile strength being around 280 MPa. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012