Abstract
Fibers of poly(lactic acid) produced by twostep melt spinning have been studied. The morphology is elucidated with respect to the thermal and mechanical properties of fibers produced at cold-draw ratios of 1-8. With atomic force microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, a fibrillar morphology is found, with microfibril diameters ranging from 30 to 60 nm. Shrinkage properties indicate that, with increasing draw ratio, the fibers undergo a transition from class 2 to class 1 within the classification proposed by Keller. A supramolecular model for the morphology of the fibers is presented that entails a highly oriented skin with a core consisting of microfibrils. The orientation of the crystalline blocks within the microfibrils is similar to what has been reported for nylon fibers.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 2828-2838 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Polymer Science |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 9 2002 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Chemistry(all)
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry