Gel spinning, also known as semi-melt spinning, is a new spinning technology that produces high-strength and high-modulus fibers through a gel-state intermediate material. Alfa Chemistry has mature gel spinning technology and process, and can provide customers with related spinning services upon request. Our fiber manufacturing division has a strong infrastructure and a team of well-trained and experienced experts.
Our Capabilities
Gel spinning provides relatively ideal structures for common soft-chain polymers to produce fibers of high strength and high modulus. Combining rich experience, Alfa Chemistry provides professional gel spinning technology services, and provides detailed characterization and test reports according to project requirements. Our service capabilities include but are not limited to the following:
- High performance fiber customization
Using gel spinning technology, Alfa Chemistry can provide customized services for high-performance fibers according to customer needs. Our custom and development capabilities include high strength and high modulus polyethylene (PE) [1], polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) performance fibers. In addition, customization and development of high-performance carbon fiber precursors and various composite fiber materials are also available. - Special fiber customization
Specialty fibers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), gelatin and silk fibroin can also be obtained by gel spinning techniques. For example, studies have shown that gelatin fibers with very good mechanical properties can be prepared using ethylene glycol as a dispersion medium. [2] If you have any unique ideas, please contact us to discuss your special fiber customization needs. Our spinning experts do their best to turn your ideas into reality.
Typical stress-strain curves for undrawn and drawn gelatin fibers
Process Flow
The gel spinning process is divided into four processes: preparation of spinning stock solution (dissolution), preparation of gel strands (spinning and formation), extraction and drying (solvent removal) and high-stretching. Each stage of the process has an impact on the fiber structure and properties. It is worth noting that in gel spinning, the choice of solvent and extractant directly affects the tensile stability, which is the key to the gel spinning method.
Gel Spinning Process Flow Diagram
Gel Spinning Feature
The high-stretch treatment of the fibers is a unique feature of the gel spinning process. High-stretching can transform the folded polymer molecular chain into a straight chain and improve the crystallinity and orientation of the polymer. This is unique to gel spinning and the key to improving the properties of gel fibers.
Cooperate With Us
We are confident that, by working with us, you will be satisfied with our expertise in the production and characterization of gel spinning technical service. We pride ourselves on our strengths in:
- Experienced testing and research team
- Meet customer needs at all stages
- Efficient and cost-effective services
- Complete and advanced infrastructure
References
- Adnan Fazal. Polymer fibre composites: investigation into performance enhancement through viscoelasticity generated pre-stress. Diss. University of Hull, 2014.
- Takehiko Midorikawa, et al. Applied Polymer Science, 2012, 125(52), E332-E338.
Our products and services are for research use only.
