Artificial Polypeptide Fiber Two-Stage Drawing Process

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional artificial polypeptide fibers lack sufficient toughness and tenacity, necessitating the development of materials with higher stress and toughness for composite materials and other applications.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the production of artificial polypeptide fibers through a two-stage drawing process, where the first stage is conducted in wet heat and the second stage in dry heat, using a spinning solution containing polypeptides derived from spigot dragline proteins, achieving a stress of 350 MPa or more and a toughness of 138 MJ/m³ or more.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional single-stage drawing is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the fiber toughness and stress are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber toughness and stressVSAvoiddrawing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawing process is divided into two distinct stages: a first drawing stage and a second drawing stage, each with different temperature conditions and draw ratios. This segmentation allows optimization of fiber structure at different processing levels, achieving high toughness and stress that cannot be obtained through single-stage drawing alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the processing parameters between drawing stages, specifically varying the temperature (wet heat vs. dry heat conditions) and draw ratio (first draw ratio vs. second draw ratio) to optimize the fiber's mechanical properties. This parameter variation enables the fiber to achieve superior toughness and stress characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high draw ratio is applied in single stage, then productivity is improved, but fiber quality and toughness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespinning efficiencyVSAvoidfiber toughness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The total draw ratio is divided into two components applied in sequence: a first draw ratio in the first drawing stage and a second draw ratio in the second drawing stage. This segmentation prevents the degradation of fiber quality that occurs when a single high draw ratio is applied, while still achieving high overall productivity through the cumulative effect of both stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different draw ratios are applied at different stages with different temperature conditions. The first drawing stage uses specific temperature and draw ratio parameters, while the second drawing stage uses different parameters, optimizing both fiber quality and processing efficiency throughout the production sequence.

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

This method results in artificial polypeptide fibers with enhanced stress and toughness, making them suitable for use in composite materials with metals, resins, and other applications, offering improved mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

extruding a synthetic protein spinning solution into a coagulation bath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

extruding a synthetic protein spinning solution into a coagulation bath with 90% methanol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Implementation Method 3

a first-stage drawing in wet heat and a second-stage drawing in dry heat, and drawing conditions for the first stage include a temperature of hot water of 70-90°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal deformation: Heating

Implementation Method 4

a first-stage drawing in wet heat and a second-stage drawing in dry heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal deformation: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2716798B1Artificial polypeptide fiber and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 SPIBER INC
  • EP2716798B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2716798B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2716798B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An artificial polypeptide fiber of the present invention is an artificial fiber containing a polypeptide as a main component, and has a stress of 350 MPa or more and a toughness of 138 MJ/m3 or more. A method for producing an artificial polypeptide fiber of the present invention is a method for producing the artificial polypeptide fiber obtained by spinning a spinning solution (6) containing a polypeptide derived from natural spider silk proteins and performing drawing of at least two stages. The drawing of at least two stages includes a first-stage drawing (3) in wet heat and a second-stage drawing (4) in dry heat. Thereby, the present invention provides high-toughness artificial polypeptide fibers having favorable stress and rupture elongation, and a method for producing the same.