Melt spinning of poly(vinylidene fluoride) fibers and the influence of spinning parameters on beta-phase crystallinity

Abstract

The effect of melt spinning and cold drawing parameters on the formation of β-phase crystallinity in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF) fibres, and ways of increasing such crystallinity, were studied. Fibres were melt-spun using four different melt draw ratios, and subsequently cold-drawn at different draw ratios. The maximum draw ratio in cold drawing was dependent on the draw ratio used in the melt spinning. The crystalline structure of the fibres was studied mainly by DSC and XRD. Results showed that the degree of crystallinity in the fibres was determined by the melt draw ratio, and that before cold drawing the crystalline structure of the fibres was predominantly in the α form. By cold drawing, α-phase crystallites could be transformed into the β-phase. It was established that, at certain conditions of melt spinning and cold drawing, PVDF fibres containing up to 80% of mainly β form crystallinity can be prepared. It is further proposed that fibres spun at a sufficiently high melt draw ratio consist to a large extent of extended-chain crystals, and this greatly affects the melting point of the PVDF. Thus DSC melting point data were shown to be insufficient to determine the crystalline phase of PVDF.