A Statistical Investigation of the Influence of the Multi-Stage Hot-Drawing Process on the Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Linear Aliphatic-Aromatic Co-Polyester Fibers

Abstract

This research investigates the influence of the hot-drawing process on the thermal shrinkage and mechanical properties of the bio-polymer fibers. As-spun fibers made of biodegradable linear aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester (LAAC) were drawn under a fractional factorial design as a function of hot-drawing conditions, the LAAC fibers were characterized and statistically modeled using appropriate experimental and statistical methods. According to the analysis, the most effective and significant parameters influencing the fiber mechanical properties are the drawing ratio and the drawing temperature. The significant factors affecting the thermal shrinkage are the total number of drawing stages (DS), the drawing temperature (DT), relaxing stage ratio (RS) and the plate temperature (PT). A new forecasting data source was achieved to optimize the hot drawing of as-spun aliphatic-aromatic co- polyesters (LAAC) fibers, and to specify the direction of increasing or decreasing of the significant process parameters. From the results and analysis, a combination of factor levels was designed for controlling the mechanical properties of the studied material using the regression equations obtained. With their elastical properties, the optimized aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester fibers with other biodegradable/bio-based materials could be used in agricultural, horticultural and other textile applications for sustainable development.