The study on the air volume fraction of electrospun nanofiber nonwoven mats

Electrospinning is an efficient method to produce polymer fibers with a diameter range from nanometers to a few microns using an electrically driven jet. Electrospun nanofiber nonwoven fabrics can be applied into different areas with higher air volume fraction, especially applied into textile materials with good warmth retention property. In this article, the air volume fraction in nonwoven mats made of electrospun nanofibers was verified by studying fiber volume fraction in the mats. Then the relationship between fiber volume fraction and fiber diameter was derived, and the fiber volume fraction is in direct ratio to the square of fiber radius. By experimental verification, to get electrospun PAN nanofiber nonwoven mats with high air volume fraction about 99 %, it can fix the polymer concentration on 8 %. The voltage fixed on 20 kV, the tip-to-collector distance on 15 cm. The experiment is in accordance with the theory excellently.     

Theoretical study of fiber tension distribution at Solospun spinning triangles

Spinning triangle is a critical region in the spinning process of staple yarn. Its geometry influences the distribution of fiber tension in the spinning triangle and affects the properties of spun yarns. Taking appropriate measures to influence the spinning triangle geometry and improve the quality of yarn has attracted great interesting recently. Solospun technology is one of the most important representatives, which is implemented by dividing ring spinning triangle into several small primary triangles and one final triangle using a Solospun roller. Therefore, theoretical study of fiber tension distributions at Solospun spinning triangles is presented in this paper. First, a theoretical model of the fiber tension distributions in Solospun spinning triangles is given by using the principle of minimum potential energy. Second, the relationships between fiber distributions and spinning triangle parameters are analyzed theoretically. Especially, the effects of horizontal offset of the twisting point to triangle symmetric axis of nip line d on fiber tension distributions are discussed and numerical simulations are given. Finally, the properties of spun yarns are evaluated and analyzed by using the simulation results.     

Morphological and thermal properties of maize fiber composites

Maize stalk has become one of the major sources of fibers from the agricultural residues. Use of these fibers as a reinforcement in the polymer is described in this paper. The present work is focused on establishing the properties such as physical, chemical, morphological structure and thermal properties of maize stalk fiber using different characterization techniques. Simple hand layup method was followed for processing the composite material. Chemical treatments of fibers were carried out to study the interaction of fibers with the matrix. The results revealed that maize fibers can also be used as a traditional fiber as reinforcement in a natural fiber reinforced composite materials.     

Optimum drafting conditions of bamboo charcoal-modified fiber blended yarn obtained by drafting behavior analysis

In this work, the effect of optimum drafting condition on the drafting behavior and yarn quality of the bamboo charcoal-modified fiber blended spun yarns were studied. We measured the drafting force and drafting force variance, CV% of the bamboo charcoal-modified Polyester/Cotton (BCP/C) blended roving and bamboo charcoal-modified Rayon/Cotton (BCR/C) blended roving to examine the influence of the roller gauge and drafting ratio on drafting behavior and yarn quality. We understand that the drafting force of the bamboo charcoal-modified fiber blended roving follow the same trend as that for the regular P/C and R/C blend roving. However, the drafting force presents some difference in characteristics between these bamboo charcoal-modified fiber blended rovings. To correlate the drafting force variation, CV% and the bamboo charcoal-modified fiber blended spun yarn properties, we evaluated the yarn quality and investigate the yarn quality index in conjunction with the break drafting ratio. Therefore, in this work, we can obtain the best optimum drafting conditions for bamboo charcoal-modified fiber blended spun yarns; for the 19.7 tex of BCP70/C30 blend spun yarn was under the roller gauge of 54 mm at the draft ratio of 1.3, whereas, for the 19.7 tex of BCR40/C60 blend spun yarn was under the roller gauge of 54 mm at the draft ratio of 1.2.     

Surface modification and interfacial properties of polysulfonamide fiber treated by air plasma

The surface of polysulfonamide (PSA) fiber was modified by air plasma to improve its wettability and interfacial bonding performance. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the fiber were then evaluated with fieldemission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). Moreover, the wettability and interfacial bonding performance of fiber before and after air plasma treatment were examined by water absorption time and interfacial shear strength (IFSS). FESEM observation confirmed that PSA fiber surface roughened with prolonged treatment duration. XPS analysis showed that the O/C atomic ratio on the PSA fiber surface can be increased from 19.69 % to 38.59 % after 3 min of treatment. Water absorption time dropped from as much as 400 s to about 0 s, indicating that the wettability of the fiber greatly improved. Under the experimental conditions of 40 Pa pressure, 100 W power, and 3 min treatment duration, IFSS increased by 57.01 %, and the interfacial bonding performance of fiber greatly improved.     

Effects of spinning processes on HVI fiber characteristics and spun yarn properties

The effects of opening, carding, and repeated drawings on single fiber and bundle cotton characteristics were studied by employing Mantis®, AFIS® and HVI Testers. Some of the significant changes in single fiber properties were found to be due to process parameters as well as the changes in the fiber crimps, parallelness of fibers within HVI beards, and the actual changes in the tensile properties of the fibers. The study showed that the HVI test data taken just prior to spinning had the highest correlation with the yarn tensile properties. Based on the study results, we point out the potential of HVI for future quality and process control in spinning by recommending a set of expanded HVI output that is more scientific and comprehensive for the future control needs.     

Study on optimum coagulation conditions of high molecular weight pan fiber in wet spinning by orthogonal experimental design

Orthogonal experimental design (I) and (II) were used to study optimum coagulation technology in wet spinning of high molecular weight PAN nascent fiber. Relationship between shape factor (De) and coagulation conditions such as coagulation bath concentration, temperature, and minus draw ratio was investigated to obtain nascent fiber with the minimum De value and smooth surface morphology. The nascent PAN fiber fabricated at the conditions of 80 wt% coagulation bath concentration (in this paper, the coagulation bath concentration refers to the mass concentration of DMSO in coagulation bath), 0 % minus draw ratio, and 40 °C coagulation bath temperature has the smallest fiber diameter, the most circular cross sectional (minimum shape factor) and smooth surface morphology, and the maximum density, which resulted in the most excellent mechanical properties of nascent PAN fiber.     

Preparation,mechanical properties and microstructure of polyoxymethylene fiber through melt spinning and hot drawing by using injection-molding grade resins

The polyoxymethylene (POM) fiber was melt spun by use of different commercial grades of POM resin, and the effect of post-drawing on mechanical properties and microstructures was investigated extensively. The fiber obtained from the POM resin with a higher melt flow index (MFI) exhibits a better hot-drawing capability and also achieves a greater ultimate draw ratio. The mechanical evaluation reveals that the tensile strength and elastic modulus of POM fiber are improved significantly after post-drawing compared to the as-spun fibers. Although the greater draw ratios result in higher mechanical strength and modulus for the POM fiber, the fiber obtained from the POM resin with an MFI of 13.0 g/10 min achieves the optimal mechanical performance at the ultimate draw ratio. The morphologic and structural developments of POM fiber were studied by scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The results indicate that the POM fiber spun by the resin with an MFI of 13.0 g/10 min has a smooth lateral surface and a compact cross section after post-drawing. The fiber samples spun by the POM resins with low MFIs show some hollow disfigurements as well as a rough surface at the ultimate draw ratio, whereas the fiber obtained from the resin with a high MFI of 27.0 g/10 min presents the ununiformity of diameter after post-drawing. The POM fibers achieve a crystalline orientation during the hot-drawing process, which results in a transformation from the spherulitic crystals to the lamellar structure in the drawing direction. The level of crystalline orientation can be improved with an increase of draw ratio and thus results in a high modulus and strength for the resulting POM fiber samples. In addition, the thermal analysis indicates that the crystallinity of the as-spun fibers can be enhanced by post-drawing due to the orientation-induced crystallization.     

纺纱方式对长绒棉高支纱性能的影响

为明确不同长绒棉纤维适纺性能及不同纺纱方式下的成纱质量,以新疆5个长绒棉品种(系)(新海35号、新海53号、新海57号、丰海8号、丰海7号)的纤维为原料,采用普通环锭纺和紧密纺2种纺纱方式,纺100S纯长绒棉纱,并对成纱性能进行测试.结果:与环锭纺相比,紧密纺大大提高了成纱的强伸性能,降低了3 mm毛羽指数,改善了条干...     

Perturbation analysis of the steady-state fiber bundle flow by the random phase spectral method

This research reports on the variation behavior of the bundle thickness in a fiber bundle flow process, when the stochastic perturbation occurs. The stochastic perturbation is specified by an autocorrelation function, which is generated on the basis of the random phase spectrum. The profiles of the bundle thickness and velocity in a steady state were simulated, while the mathematical model describing the fiber bundle flow dynamics is employed. Simulation results showed that a stochastic signal with a specified autocorrelation function could apply to variations in the fiber bundle parameter and draft ratio. The distribution profiles of the velocity and linear density of the fiber bundle were estimated under the auto-correlated perturbations. Disturbances in the material parameter revealed a larger influence on the dynamic states of the fiber bundle flow than those in draft ratio.     

Numerical simulation of fiber strands on condensing effect of suction slot in compact spinning with lattice apron

Compact spinning technology is through the airflow force to get fiber strands to be compacted in the condensing zone. In this paper, it makes a deeper study on the morphological changes and movement process of fiber strands in the flow field of condensing zone. Based on the airflow data in the condensing zone, the geometrical model of single fiber is built, and then the trajectory of single fiber can be got. The difference of trajectory and compact effect of fiber strands is also analyzed in the condensing zone of straight, oblique and deformed suction slots.     

Synthesis and application of ramie fiber soft modifier comprised of carboxylate-containing polymer

In effort to improve the soft properties of ramie fiber, we synthesized a carboxylate-containing polymer for use as a modifying agent, and successfully modified the ramie fiber in a strong base with the carboxylate-containing polymer. We applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the structures of the raw and modified ramie fibers, and further investigated the mechanical and dyeing properties of the raw and modified ramie fibers. The results showed that the surface of the ramie fiber underwent significant changes due to the grafting reaction of the carboxylate-containing polymer and fiber. After the chemical modification, the flexural strength and initial modulus of the modified ramie fiber decreased while tensile strength increased, indicating that the softness of the modified ramie fiber increased though its tensile resistance remained high. In addition, the fixation of reactive dyes on the modified ramie fiber was larger than that of the reactive dyes on the raw ramie fiber. Our observations of mechanical properties and dye fixation indicated that the carboxylate-containing polymer is an effective and efficient soft modifier.     

Improving the dyeability of poly(lactic acid) fiber using N-Phenylaminopropyl POSS nanoparticle during melt spinning

The dyeability of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber strongly depends on disperse dye structure due to the low dyeing temperature and the short dyeing time. Thus, the dye uptake value of PLA fiber is low for some disperse dyes and is needed to be improved. In the current study, the dyeability of PLA fiber is improved with the addition of N-Phenylaminopropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (AP-POSS) during melt spinning process. The effects of dyeing conditions including dyeing temperature and time, disperse dye type and AP-POSS concentrations are investigated on the dyeability properties of PLA fiber samples. The tensile, thermal and morphological properties of fiber samples are also characterized by tensile testing, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As the added amount of AP-POSS increases, the percent crystallinity increases and the tensile strength reduces. According to the dyeing results, AP-POSS is very effective for increasing the dyeability of PLA fiber especially for disperse dyes with low dye uptake values.     

Preparation and characterization of PVA/PU blend nanofiber mats by dual-jet electrospinning

A series of blend nanofiber mats comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyurethane (PU) were prepared by dual-jet electrospinning in various parameters. Orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate how those parameters affected on fiber diameters and fiber diameter distribution. Altogether three parameters having three levels each were chosen for this study. The chosen parameters were tip-to-collector distance (TCD), voltage and tip-to-tip distance (TTD). Fiber diameters, thermal properties, mechanical properties and hydrophilicity of the blend nanofiber mats were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile test, contact angle and water absorption test, respectively. The results showed that the optimum conditions for PVA/PU blend nanofiber mats fabricated by dual-jet electrospinning were TCD of 20 cm, voltage of 18 kV and TTD of 4 cm. Besides, the thermal stability of PVA/PU blend nanofiber mats had been improved compared with pure nanofibers. Furthermore, the elongation and tensile strength of the blend nanofiber mats were significantly increased compared with pure PVA and pure PU, respectively. And the blend nanofiber mats exhibited well hydrophilicity.     

The non-uniform phase structure in blend fiber. I. Non-uniform deformation of the dispersed phase in melt spinning

By melt spinning of incompatible polymer blends, the deformation of the dispersed phase was investigated in the fiber spinning process, for polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) blend fiber and low density polyethylene/polyamide 6 (LDPE/PA6) blend fiber, respectively. Two kinds of the take-up fiber all exhibit the matrix fibrillar morphology, but with the opposite morphology. For PP/PS take-up fiber, the dispersed PS fibrils were finer in the core than near the surface. On the contrary, the dispersed PA6 fibrils were finer near the surface than in the core for LDPE/PA6 take-up fiber. However, for the special fiber in which the extensional flow was absent, there was the uniform morphology in either PP/PS or LDPE/PA6. Thus, fibrils’ non-uniform deformation, occurred in the drawing process, was considered to be due to the radial non-uniform processing conditions across the spin-line cross-section. The distribution of fibrils’ diameter was also investigated on the whole cross section. Rheological properties of each component were measured by the capillary rheometer. The non-uniform phase structure in blend fiber is a new phenomenon in the extensional flow.     

Morphological and crystalline characterization of NaOH and NaOCl treated Agave americana L. fiber

This study investigates the effect of NaOH and NaOCl treatments on chemical composition, morphology and crystalline structure of Agave americana L. fibers. These fibers have been subjected to NaOCl and NaOH alkali treatments at different concentrations.The percentages of lignin and hemicellulose show a decrease with alkaline treatments which, in turn, induces a modification of both morphological and crystalline structures.Unit cell dimensions and crystallite size were more affected with NaOH treatment than NaOCl one. This may result from the mercerisation process which occurs with caustic soda treatment.The observed defibrillization on the treated fiber surface proves the dissolution of the non-cellulosic components present in the fiber cell wall by NaOH and NaOCl treatments. These morphological changes may improve the interaction between matrix and fiber in composites.     

Investigations on mechanical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite modified with amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer

Glass fiber, GF, which was first hydroxylated and silanized, was incorporated into epoxy resin modified with amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (ATHBP) to obtain high performance composite. The effects of GFs content on the mechanical properties of composites were investigated, discussing the results from flexural, tensile, and impact tests. The composites revealed noticeable improvement in flexural strength, tensile strength as well as impact strength but slow decrease in elongation at break, compared to the epoxy/ATHBP thermoset. FESEM morphology results indicated the good compatibility between epoxy matrix and GF in the appearance of ATHBP and showed that the toughening mechanism was mainly attributed to the stress transfer mechanism.     

Lagrangian numerical simulations of canopy air flow effects on maize pollen dispersal

A three-dimensional Lagrangian random flight model was constructed for numerical simulations of maize pollen dispersion. The model simulates the paths of tracer particles which are interpreted as individual pollen grains, with particle motion determined by the mean flow and a stochastic turbulent velocity. The Lagrangian approach was chosen because it can be extended to complex flow regimes. The capacity of the model to simulate measured patterns of pollen deposition was tested by comparing simulations to measurements for a small maize canopy isolated within a large field of soybeans near Ames, Iowa, USA in August 2003. For this application, measurements from a single point meteorological observation were used to generate a surface layer wind profile over the maize canopy and surrounding soybean field. The method used to construct the wind field included development of internal boundary layers as the airflow passed from one canopy surface to another. The dispersion model produced spatial patterns of particle deposition that included the sharp near-source deposition gradient consistent with observations. The model tended to over-predict particle deposition near the source field and under-predict deposition at greater distances. Inclusion of the effect of the roughness difference between the maize canopy and the surrounding soybean canopy on the flow field was found to be essential for simulation accuracy. Agreement with observations improved considerably by including an approximation for vertical motions induced by changes in surface cover. These results indicate that the Lagrangian random flight model provides a realistic simulation of pollen dispersal from an isolated maize canopy. A more complete hydrodynamic model should be explored to better represent the influence of surface inhomogeneities on winds and turbulence.     

Investigation of inter fiber cohesion in yarns. I. Influence of certain spinning parameters on the cohesion in cotton yarns

This paper investigates the influence of raw material and process parameters in spinning that affect the inter fiber cohesion in yarns. An instrument has been developed for measuring the minimum twist of cohesion. With regard to the raw material parameters, the influence of different cotton fiber mixings for a given count of yarn is investigated. Also the effect of spinning to varying counts for a given cotton variety is studied. With regard to the process parameters, studies have been carried out to investigate the influence of noil extraction in comber, number of draw frame passages, draft pressure in ring frame and direction of twist. Cohesion improved with increase in the noil extraction percentage in the comber. Increase in the number of draw frame passages also improved the cohesion. Draft pressure in ring frame improved the fiber cohesion in yarn up to a pressure of 2.1 kg/cm². Direction of twist had no effect on the cohesion.     

Three dimensional simulation of viscoelastic polymer melts flow in a cast film process

Three-dimensional simulation of the cast film process for viscoelastic polymer materials was carried out using the finite element method. The flow between the extrusion die and chill roll was assumed to be steady-state and isothermal and the rheological property of material was characterized by a single-mode PTT model. Gravity and inertial flow were considered in the simulation work, but neglecting die swell at the die exit, surface tension, crystallization, transient disturbance and film sag. Simulation results of the cast film production line were compared with the experimental data on the velocity profiles and neck-in values. Neck-in and edge bead was well predicted and the influence of strain-hardening nature, elasticity of materials and operation conditions on the final film shape was also investigated. It was found that the effect of strain-hardening nature was masked for the material with a very low relaxation time when the single-mode PTT model was adopted. Greater elasticity helped to produce a film with smaller neck-in and less waste edge. When the air gap length was increased, it was predicted that neck-in phenomenon would be promoted as well. Moreover, it was found that ratio of neck-in values under different air gap lengths was approximately equal to that of air gap lengths, which was consistent with experimental evidence.