The Mechanical Properties of Chitosan Fibers Obtained in Different Spinning Conditions by Coagulation Method

Resumo

The chitosan fibers have been obtained by coagulation method from an aqueous solution of 2% acetic acid into an ethanol–alkaline mixture. The influence of the chitosan molecular mass, the polymer solution feed rate, and the stretching ratio on the mechanical properties of the obtained filaments has been investigated. It is found that the viscosity of the chitosan solution depends on the chitosan molecular mass: with increasing molecular mass, the viscosity of the solution increases and, hence, the concentration of chitosan in the solution required for processing decreases. The optimal parameters of the spinning process have been determined. Polyfilament fibers with different diameters of elementary filaments and their number have been obtained.