pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S13 - Fibers and Textiles
Oral Presentation
 
 

Formation of Polyether-ester Elastomeric Fibers through High-speed Melt Spinning and In-line Drawing Processes

Kanazawa Gaku (1), Takarada Wataru (1), Kikutani Takeshi (1)*

(1) Tokyo Institute of Technology - Tokyo - Japan

Three types of elastomeric polyether-esters consisting of butylene terephthalate as the hard segment (HS) and poly-tetra-methylene glycol as the soft segment (SS) were subjected to the high-speed melt spinning process of up to 9 km/min. On-line diameter measurement of the spin-line revealed that the neck-like deformation started to occur at high take-up velocities, where the high HS content and the higher molecular weight of SS lead to the enhanced crystallization behavior in the spinning process. After the spinning, the fibers were wound-up on the bobbin in stretched state. Elastic contraction of the fibers after cutting off from the bobbin increased with the increase of take-up velocity, whereas at the same take-up velocity, the contraction was more significant for the fibers of lower HS content. Results of WAXD and SAXS measurements of the as-spun fibers agreed well with the information obtained through the on-line diameter profile measurement. In terms of the mechanical properties, the fibers from the polymer of high HS content and shorter SS chain length exhibited the highest tensile modulus and tenacity. Elastic recoverability was fairly high for all as-spun fibers. Effect of in-line drawing on the characteristics of fibers was also investigated. In-line drawing was performed with the first godet roll speed of 1 or 2 km/min, and varying the speed of the second roll. The fibers were directly wound-up on the second roll. It was revealed that the elastic contraction of the fibers after cutting off from the roll was unexpectedly high, indicating that the structure formation was not completed when the fiber went through the first godet roll. In comparison with the high-speed spun fibers, in-line drawn fibers exhibited higher tensile strength for the fibers with a similar level of elongation at break. Elastic recoverability after the stretching to relatively high stretch ratios was found to be higher for the fibers prepared through the in-line drawing process.