Improvements in the drying process for wet-spun chitosan fibers

Chitosan fibers were wet spun from a 6% by weight chitosan in 3% by volume acetic acid solution. The fibers were collected as a 20 filament yarn intended for use as a chaff substrate. The yarn had to be sufficiently dry following spinning to allow for winding and subsequent separation of the filaments. Drying of the yam was attempted using various techniques including direct and radiant heat, forced air, and chemical drying agents. Product yarns were analyzed for ease of separation of the filaments, as well as comparison of mechanical properties. Individual fibers were evaluated on the basis of moisture content, surface morphology and fiber diameter. Results indicate that the particular drying method or agent used has a considerable impact upon all of the characteristics listed above. A methanol dry bath was found to provide optimum drying of the chitosan yam, producing filaments with low moisture content that separated easily from one another. Methanol drying yielded chitosan fibers with smaller diameter, superior surface smoothness and superior mechanical properties to fibers dried using forced air, heat, or other tested drying agents such as acetone and isopropanol. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.