Melt spinning refers to a method that is used to cool liquids in a rapid manner. The method involves the internal cooling of a wheel using liquid nitrogen or water. The wheel is then rotated as it cools. A liquid is streamed onto the cooling wheel, and that causes it to solidify rapidly. Melt Spinning is used in the development of objects that demand high cooling rates for them to form. A good example of such material is metallic glass. Polymers that can undergo melting use the melt spinning technique (NPTEL, 2010). Examples of such polymers include polyester; sulfur; saran; olefin; and nylon.
The process of melt spinning involves the melting of polymer granules. The melted liquid is then removed via a spin head. There is a metering pump that functions by controlling the levels of molten liquid flowing towards the spin head (TIKP, 2016). The molten liquid is then filtered at the spin head so as to avoid the passage of granules that have not being melted. It is necessary to filter the molten liquid so as to ensure smooth formation of fibers. Otherwise, the solids will create weak points on the fiber.
As the fibers emerge from the spin head, the air helps in cooling them. A lubricant is needed so as to enable the spinning of the cooled fibers. The fibers are poor conductors of heat and require the lubricant so as to avoid static energy (TIKP, 2016). Winding of the fibers require high speed so as to ensure that the polymers are well aligned. Proper alignment of the fibers strengthens the fibers.
Melt spinning has several benefits that make it the best method in the production of polymers. These benefits include cost effectiveness; high speed; and cleanliness. The cost incurred in melt spinning is lower than the other spinning methods (TIKP, 2016). Cleanliness is guaranteed because a solvent is not used in the entire process.
References
TIKP, (2016). Melt Spinning. Textile Innovation Knowledge Platform. Retrieved from: http://www.tikp.co.uk/knowledge/technology/fibre-and-filament-production/melt-spinning/
NPTEL, (2010). Introduction and Melt Spinning Line. NPTEL. Retrieved from: http://nptel.ac.in/courses/116102010/6
