Experimental Investigation of the Fiber Formation Process and Web Structures Using an Annular Meltblowing Spinneret

Abstract

This research experimentally investigates the fiber and web formation process of an array of annular meltblown spinnerets. In this design, the molten polymer is extruded from an array of outlets, each of which is individually surrounded by a concentric high-velocity heated air stream. With its multirow capability, it potentially becomes a high-productivity microfiber fabrication process. We experimentally investigate the effects of critical processing parameters and material properties on the fiber and web formation process. First, the polymer thermal and rheological behavior is presented. Next, a detailed three-dimensional air temperature and velocity profile, measured in the absence of spinning fibers, is presented for an array of supplied temperatures and internal machine air pressures. Web analysis in relation to this air profile shows that smaller fibers in cooler air streams require shorter die-collector distances to form bonded fabrics. Calculations are then made that show polymer spinning temperature is largely determined by air temperature, a distinguishing feature of this meltblowing design. Finally, a full factorial variation of air temperature, air speed, and polymer throughput is shown that relates processing conditions to fiber diameter distribution. Median diameters are well described by an empirical model and ranged from less than 1 μm to almost 14 μm.

Use of Meltblown Nonwoven Fabric Filter for Stormwater Runoff Treatment

“…The equipment consists of two meltblown spinning beams, and the processing parameters of each beam can be controlled separately and capable of producing wide ranges of unique meltblown fabric structures [11]. In this experiment, we used biax annular meltblown die blocks [12]. The main beam was placed at the same level as the collector drum so extruded polymer melt strands and hot process air from the main die block travel horizontally and were collected on the drum at 32 cm die to collector distance (DCD).…”

Progress of air flow field and fiber motion analysis in textile manufacturing process: a review

“…Guo et al 86 employed a onedimensional (1D) mathematical model for the stretching of melt-blown fibers, which can more accurately predict the diameter variations of melt blown fibers. Barilovits et al 146 constructed a porous melt-blown process model to investigate the relationship between fiber diameter and parameters such as polymer dynamic viscosity ratio, polymer mass flow rate, and air velocity. It has been proved that polymer throughput and air velocity have a greater influence on fiber diameter compared with polymer viscosity.…”

Study on the microfiber attenuation in melt-blowing airflow field

“…[11][12][13][14] The melt-blowing technology is rather a complex process, in which there are many different variables having impact on produced nonwovens such as polymer properties, airflow field, process parameters, type of the die and web formation. [15][16][17][18][19][20] Over the past decades, a considerable amount of significant, fundamental research has been carried out on this technique, which is especially important when one is trying to produce nanofibers. Most of the research on the melt-blowing process focused on the distribution die design, 21,22 the airflow field simulation, 23,24 the melt-blowing die optimization, 25,26 and the new materials development in melt blowing.…”