A Comparative Study of Two Methods for Forming Highly Ordered Polyethylene Terephtnalate) Fibers: High-Speed Spinning and Flow Crystallization

Abstract For the past several years the production of high-modulus, high-strength polymeric materials has received increasing attention by many researchers. Generally, in the commercial processes for converting polymers to fibers, the modulus and the strength of fibers produced is very low; for example, 1/50 to 1/100 of the corresponding theoretical values [1, 2]. The presence of defects and chain folds leads to stress concentration on relatively few tie chains. This stress concentration has limited the attainment of high modulus [3]. Therefore, if a high-modulus fiber is to be achieved, an oriented extended-chain-type crystal structure relatively free from folds must be obtained [4].