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Melt spinning of high‐strength fiber from low‐molecular‐weight polypropylene
Author(s) -
Mao Qianchao,
Wyatt Tom P.,
Chien AnTing,
Chen Jinnan,
Yao Donggang
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.24251
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , melt spinning , ultimate tensile strength , polypropylene , fiber , melt flow index , spinning , modulus , monoclinic crystal system , polymer , crystal structure , crystallography , copolymer , chemistry
Polypropylene (PP) with high melt flow index (MFI) or low molecular weight, although desired in melt spinning for enhanced productivity, is difficult to be spun into high‐strength fiber using the standard process where extensive jet stretching is applied. In this work, a processing route involving minimal jet stretch has been explored. A two‐stage hot drawing procedure in the solid state was found to be suitable for producing high‐strength fiber from low‐molecular‐weight PP with an ultrahigh MFI of 115 g/10 min. Fibers produced achieve a maximum tensile strength and Young's modulus of approximately 600 MPa and 12 GPa, respectively. The melt temperature of the fiber reached 170.8°C, approximately 5°C higher than that of the original resin. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) study shows that the stable α‐monoclinic crystalline structure is developed during the drawing process. A well‐oriented crystalline structure along the fiber axis is generated, having a crystalline orientation factor as high as 0.84. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:233–239, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers