Abstract:
Poly (lactic acid, PLA) has been widely used for biodegradable plastic applications. Melt spinning technique of PLA fibers with varied cross-sectional shapes was used to improve some properties such as surface area, hand touch and luster. However, PLA fibers from this technique tend to easily break and difficult to make cross-section fibers with the same hole orifice. This research aimed to study the effects of spinning conditions on mechanical, fiber reflection and dyeing properties of PLA fibers.
PLA fibers were prepared by melt spinning process with two spinneret hole profiles (circular, and 4-lobed shapes). The spinning parameters included spinning temperatures, throughput rates, and fiber take up speeds were studied. The prepared fibers were tested by tensile strength (ASTM D 3822-01), reflection, and dyeing properties (CIELAB).
The results revealed that, circular PLA fibers could remain circular shapes resembling its original spinneret whereas 4-lobed PLA fibers exhibited variations in cross-sectional shapes with spinning conditions. The calculated shape factors indicated that the spinning temperature was a major factor that determined PLA fiber shape. At the spinning temperature of 220 degree Celsius, both of the prepared fibers shapes showed good mechanical properties. The cross-sectional 4-lobed shape PLA fibers showed the similar shape to that of the original 4-lobed orifice. This spinning condition was therefore preferable to produce 4-lobed PLA fibers with good luster, which could give appearance feature in textile applications.