Studies on high-speed melt spinning of noncircular cross-section fibers. I. Structural analysis of as-spun fibers

Abstract

Flat fibers and hollow fibers were prepared through the high-speed melt spinning of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and the structures of these fibers were compared with those of circular fibers. The cross-sectional shape of each fiber changed to a dull shape in comparison with that of the respective spinning nozzle. The change in the cross-sectional shape was slightly suppressed with an increase in the take-up velocity. There was a significant development of structural variation in the cross section of fiat fibers in that the molecular orientation and crystallization were enhanced at the edge. Despite the difference in the cross-sectional shape, the structural development of fiat, hollow, and circular fibers with increasing take-up velocity showed almost similar behavior. Considering that the tensile stress at the solidification point of the spin line is known to govern the structure development of high-speed spun PET fibers, it was speculated that the effects of the enhancement of cooling and air friction on the tensile stress at the solidification point cancel each other. 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.