Abstract:

It was investigated how the chemical structure of polylactide and the molecular characteristics of the polymer affect the deformability and strength properties of wet-spun fibres. Following a two-stage drawing process, a higher strength value of 396 MPa was recorded for fibres made from a copolymer of L-lactide with glycolide (PGLA), compared with poly-L-DL-lactide (PLDLA) fibres, whose value was 142 MPa. For both polymers it was found to be possible to perform an additional (third) stage of drawing, which was associated with an increase in their strength properties. For both polymers used, under previously optimised conditions of coagulation and plasticisation drawing, the extreme possible as spun draw ratio values at the spinning nozzle were established. This value, as well as the orientation of structural elements in the still liquid stream, determine the achievable value of the total draw ratio in the successive deformation processes, and the related strength properties of the fibres.