Polymer Fibers
Polymer Fibers - Related Videos
09:19
Fabrication and Characterization of Disordered Polymer Optical Fibers for Transverse Anderson Localization of Light
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Cited by 17 •
2013
We develop and characterize a disordered polymer optical fiber that uses transverse Anderson localization as a novel waveguiding mechanism. This microstructured fiber can transport a small localized beam with a radius that is comparable to the beam radius of conventional optical fibers.
08:28
Microfluidic Dry-spinning and Characterization of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Fibers
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Cited by 6 •
2017
A protocol for the microfluidic spinning and microstructure characterization of regenerated silk fibroin monofilament is presented.
07:15
A Testing Platform for Durability Studies of Polymers and Fiber-reinforced Polymer Composites under Concurrent Hygrothermo-mechanical Stimuli
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2014
The durability of polymers and fiber-reinforced polymer composites in service is a critical aspect for their designs and condition-based maintenance. We present a novel low-cost laboratory testing platform for the investigation of the influence of concurrent mechanical and environmental loadings, and may help design more efficient yet safer composite structures.
02:34
Polymers
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2020
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
08:50
Multiplexed Fluorescent Microarray for Human Salivary Protein Analysis Using Polymer Microspheres and Fiber-optic Bundles
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Cited by 4 •
2013
We describe a procedure for profiling salivary proteins using multiplexed microsphere-based antibody arrays. Monoclonal antibodies were covalently linked to fluorescent dye-encoded 4.5 μm polymer microspheres using carbodiimide chemistry. The modified microspheres were deposited in fiber-optic microwells to measure protein levels in saliva using fluorescence sandwich immunoassays.
FAQs
Drawing stretches newly formed filaments after they leave the spinneret, encouraging polymer chains to orient along the fiber axis. This structural alignment can increase tensile strength compared with an undrawn filament. The extent of drawing therefore becomes an important processing variable when engineers need fibers that carry loads efficiently while retaining the desired flexibility.
Both polymer chemistry and processing determine the balance among strength, elasticity, abrasion resistance, thermal stability, and flexibility. A particular polymer composition may support one performance profile, while spinning, drawing, heat treatment, or chemical modification adjusts the resulting structure. Engineers can therefore tune fibers for different service requirements rather than relying on a single universal material.
Heat treatment and chemical modification provide additional ways to adjust a fiber's structure and properties after formation. They can complement chain orientation produced during drawing, helping tailor performance for applications that prioritize strength, elasticity, abrasion resistance, or thermal stability. Their value lies in refining the material beyond what spinning and drawing alone can achieve.
Production generally begins by preparing a polymer as either a melt or a solution. The material is then spun through small openings to create continuous filaments, followed by drawing to orient the polymer chains and improve tensile strength. Depending on the target performance, heat treatment or chemical modification may provide further property adjustment.
Their low density, flexibility, and adjustable mechanical performance allow polymer fibers to meet different engineering demands without requiring the same material design for every use. Depending on their chemistry and processing, they can supply strength, elasticity, abrasion resistance, or thermal stability. These combinations support textiles, ropes, composites, filtration systems, protective equipment, and biomedical devices.
In composite engineering, polymer fibers can serve as reinforcing elements whose mechanical performance is adjusted through polymer selection and processing. Their low density is relevant when engineers seek lighter structures, while tunable strength and flexibility support different design requirements. The same general fiber platform also connects composite development with applications such as ropes, protective equipment, and filtration.