Spinning of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers filled with inorganic fillers

Abstract

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/inorganic fillers were prepared by a melt-spinning method, and their morphologies and properties were investigated. Four inorganic fillers were studied and compared: calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, magnesium hydroxide, and silica fume. All of the fillers were modified with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) in diethyl ether at room temperature for 24 h. The modification of these fillers with VTES improved their agglomeration, hydrophobicity, and heat-resistance properties. Also, the incorporation of the fillers into the PET fibers increased their thermal resistance. The factor effecting the thermal degradation of the PET fibers was the type of filler. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.