Optimization of spinning, drawing, and annealing conditions in the production of highly oriented fibers from the polycaprolactam/3.7% LiCl system

A polycaprolactam/3.7% w/w LiCl system, obtained by anionic polymerization of caprolactam directly in the presence of salt, has been employed for the production of highly oriented fibers. More particularly, an optimization of spinning, drawing, and annealing conditions has been performed, finally obtaining fibers which shows very satisfactory mechanical results. Namely, average moduli values up to 12 GPa and strength values up to 1 GPa when fracture is far from clamps, have been observed.