Nanocomposite Fiber Production
category
Nanocomposite fibers incorporate nanofillers (nanoclay, SiO₂, TiO₂, carbon black, halloysite nanotubes) into polymer matrices at 0.5–10 wt% via melt compounding (twin-screw extrusion at 240–290°C) or solution blending before fiber spinning. Nanoclay (montmorillonite, aspect ratio 100–1,000, platelet thickness 1 nm) at 3–5 wt% in polyamide-6 increases tensile modulus from 2.8 to 4.2 GPa, reduces oxygen permeability by 70%, and improves flame retardancy (LOI increase from 22 to 27%). SiO₂ nanoparticles (7–40 nm) at 2–4 wt% in polyester increase UV blocking (UPF 50+) and abrasion resistance by 35–50%. Halloysite nanotube (HNT) incorporation at 5 wt% in PA6 improves tensile strength by 25% while enabling sustained drug release from HNT lumen cavities.
Role
Creates multifunctional synthetic fibers with simultaneously enhanced mechanical, barrier, thermal, and functional properties through nanofiller incorporation during melt spinning, enabling single-component fiber solutions for packaging, protective, and medical textile applications.