Reaction Spinning of Fibers

Abstract

A method of forming fibers which is relatively new, yet of potentially wide applica tion, is described herein. The process may be termed "reaction spinning." In reaction apinning, the usual viscosity increase required between spinneret and windup is ac complished by chemical reaction. Incompletely polymerized or incompletely solubilized polymer is forced through an extrusion die or spinneret under such conditions of rate, temperature. concentration, and activation that the polymerization proceeds rapidly within the fiber after it leaves the spinneret. This causes the soft extruded fiber to set to a solid or suitably semisolid state in fiber form on the windup package. where further reaction will complete the transformation to the desired fiber properties. Principles and experimental examptes of the process are described.