Influence of Drying on the Structures and Mechanics of Poly (P-Phenylene Benzobisthiazole) Fibers

摘要

A study of the influence of the drying process in developing fiber properties during the dry-wet spinning of poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) is undertaken. The fiber's structure and mechanical characteristics from the coagulated state through the drying process to the as-spun and heat treated state are investigated herein. The wet fiber is composed of a swollen macro and microfibrillar network of highly oriented molecules with lateral but no longitudinal order and exhibits a high degree of mechanical anisotropy. The structural and mechanical features of the as-spun fiber appear to develop during coagulation. The drying process during dying is characterized by a distinct radial contraction and axial elongation due to the porous and aniostropic nature of the coagulated fiber. Alterations in the structure and mechanics of PBT fibers are observed upon drying which is rationalized in terms of the collapse process. The drying process is a fiber modification phase.