A conc. aqueous solution of poly (sodium-L-glutamate) (PSLG) was spun in aqueous acid solutions. The effect of drawing conditions including the drafting, spinning-drawing and after-drawing were discussed in relation to the molecular chain conformation, crystal-type and mechanical properties of the resulting fibers.
Drafting; When the H
3PO
4 solution was used as a coagulant, not only the extruded fluid filament became thinner, but also the molecular chains were extended and the β-type crystals were formed in the drafting process. When the HCl solution was used as a coagulant the α-type crystals were formed.
Spinning-drawing; The spinning-drawing process was carried out after the drafting. The semicoagulated filaments were drawn between the 1st and the 2nd rollers above the coagulation bath. When the H
3PO
4 solution was used as a coagulant, the β-type crystals were formed and highly oriented. On the contrary, the HCl solution was used as a coagulant, the α-type crystals were formed and slightly oriented.
After-drawing; The filament containing H
3PO
4 was wound up on a bobbin. The α-type crystal was formed in the filament. In the after-drawing process, the filament was drawn between two rollers in air, in a H
3PO
4 solution or in water at various temperatures. When the after-drawing was carried out at temperatures below 70°C, the filament superior in quality was obtained, and the β-type crystal was formed in the drawn filament which was highly oriented. Whereas, the after-drawing was carried out at temperatures above 70°C, the filament was broken.
The filament with excellent mechanical properties was obtained by the combination of the drawing processes in the drafting and in the spinning-drawing.
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