Study of structure development during Melt Spinning of isotactic Polypropylene fibers using Raman Spectroscopy and Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction Simultaneously

ABSTRACT Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) fibers have a wide variety of applications. Specific end-use applications require specific properties, which are dependent on the polymer morphology produced during processing. Therefore, the final properties of a material are dependent on the processing parameters. iPP fibers are produced mainly by melt spinning. The important processing parameters in the melt spinning process include, the extrusion temperatures, the throughput and shear rates, the rate of cooling, and the feed and draw roll take-up velocities. An understanding of how the morphology develops along the spinline, and the effect of processing parameters on the morphology is crucial in optimizing the melt spinning process. The objective of this work was to study the development of structure in the fiber as the polymer was transformed from a molten amorphous state to a semi-crystalline material, and to investigate the effects of throughput rate and take-up velocity on the structure development along the spinline