Polyester Fiber High-Speed Spinning Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) polyester fibers face limitations in spinnability, productivity, and tensile strength due to low crystallization speed and high energy consumption in melt-spinning processes, requiring low spinning velocities and additional stretching steps.

Innovation Solution

Spinning poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) at high velocities of 1,500 to 7,000 m/min with a specific copolymer ratio and processing conditions, including a resin temperature of 145 to 190°C, to enhance crystallization and mechanical properties without the need for post-spinning stretching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the spinning velocity is increased to improve productivity, then the cooling time can be reduced and energy consumption decreased, but the crystallization speed is too low to form sufficient crystals at high spinning speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespinning velocityVSAvoidcrystallization speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyester resin by controlling the copolymerization ratio of 3HB (85-95 mol%) and 3HH (5-15 mol%), which fundamentally alters the crystallization behavior and enables high-speed spinning while maintaining sufficient crystallization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the spinning velocity is increased to improve productivity, then the process can be simplified by eliminating stretching steps, but the fiber strength may be insufficient without post-spinning stretching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespinning velocityVSAvoidfiber strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including copolymerization ratio (3HB: 85-95 mol%, 3HH: 5-15 mol%), spinning velocity (100-1000 m/min), and resin temperature to achieve a balance where fiber strength requirements are met through controlled crystallization during high-speed spinning without requiring additional stretching processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the copolymerization ratio is optimized to improve crystallization speed, then the spinnability and fiber properties are enhanced, but the molecular structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization speedVSAvoidmolecular structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and controls specific compositional parameters (3HB and 3HH ratios) that have the most significant impact on crystallization behavior, allowing optimization of crystallization speed while maintaining a manageable copolymer structure with only two monomer units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves spinnability, productivity, and tensile strength of the polyester fibers by increasing the formation of β-crystals, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining fiber quality.

Implementation Method 1

a ratio Iβ/Iα is not less than 0.02 where Iα denotes a diffraction intensity from α-crystals, and Iβ denotes a diffraction intensity from β-crystals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

obtained by spinning polyester resin containing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) at a spinning velocity of 1,500 to 7,000 m/min

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3042987B1Polyester fiber
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 KANEKA CORP
  • EP3042987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3042987B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to improve spinnability, productivity, and tensile strength of a polyester fiber containing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate). By spinning the polyester resin containing the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) at a high spinning velocity, the spinnability, productivity, and tensile strength of the polyester fiber can be improved.