Formation of Fiber Materials by Pneumatic Spraying of Polymers in Viscous-Flow States

Abstract

Using a novel ejection spraying unit and relying on new approaches, fibers are formed by the method of pneumatic melt blowing of polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The proposed approach is based on the concepts of atomization of the polymer melt flow as a preferential regime for fibermaterial formation. From the analysis of the values of numerical characteristics in the zone of atomization and the physical background of the criteria under study a conclusion is drawn that the essential role in destruction of the jet belongs to the formation of a boundary layer in the melt under the action of friction forces, followed by its separation. An assumption is made on the prevailing action of the separating destruction of the melt jet via the mechanism of ‘skinning’ of the boundary layer of the melt due to a shorter time of its persistence compared to the development of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability.