Effect of additives on the mechanical properties of polyacrylonitrile fibres

Abstract

In spinning of synthetic fibers, several additives are used for various purpose. Some organic compounds are known to reduce viscostly and facilitate many technical operations besides increasing solid content of the dope in wet spinning process. Gelation if preceeded by phase separation increases the mechanical properties of the fibers. The effect organic additives and gelating agents (of inorganic compounds and non-solvents) on the mechanical properties of the PAN fibers have been reported here. The organic additives decreased both the modulus and the strength, the inorganic additives increase them whereas non solvent has no effect. When all the additives are added the overall strength and modulus of the fibers increase as compared to the fibers without any additive. Carbon fibers from the PAN fibers produced in the presence of all the additives have comparable mechanical properties with those of some of the industrial fibers carbonized at 1000°C.