Application of response surface methodology to evaluate the effect of dry‐spinning parameters on poly (ε‐caprolactone) fiber properties

Abstract

Poly (e-caprolactone) fibers were prepared by dry-spinning method. The effect of processing parameters on linear density, mechanical, and morphological properties of fibers was investigated using the response surface methodology (RSM). This method allowed evaluating a quantitative relationship between polymer concentrations, spinning speed, and draw ratio on the properties of the fibers. Polynomial regression model was fitted to the experimental data to generate predicted response. The results were subjected to analysis of variance to determine significant parameters. It was found that all three parameters had significant effect on linear density of fibers. Combined effect of concentration and spinning speed was observed in which the linear density of fiber was more sensitive to changes in the solution concentration at lower spinning speed. Polymer concentration had the largest influence on the mechanical properties of fibers. An average cross-sectional radius of fibers was affected by concentration and draw ratio in opposite manner. Among all three parameters, only polymer concentration had significant effect on circularity of fiber cross sections. By applying the RSM, it was possible to obtain a mathematical model that can be used to better define processing parameters to fabricate dry-spun PCL fiber in a more rational manner.

Modelling and Optimization of Polycaprolactone Ultrafine-Fibres Electrospinning Process Using Response Surface Methodology

“…Regarding mechanical properties, the positive impact of solution concentration was also confirmed by several studies [ 26 , 35 , 39 ]. The higher modulus obtained was associated with the aligned polymer chain along the fibre axis [ 26 ].…”

“…Solution concentration and fibre diameter appeared to have a positive correlation. The increase in fibre thickness following the increasing concentration was documented in the literature, both in electrospun PCL and other polymers [ 26 , 30 , 32 , 34 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 45 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. It proved to be one of the most influential factors regarding fibre diameter [ 34 ].…”

“…In investigating electrospun fibre properties with respect to the multivariate nature of electrospinning, the RSM approach has been applied in numerous electrospinning studies of various materials [ 26 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. These investigations demonstrated that this technique could develop a predictive model along with confirmation of validity.…”

“…Mostly, fibre diameter was the response under investigation. Although these studies were conducted using different materials and experimental conditions, they appeared to be in good agreement, in which the most influential factors for fibre diameter are material content or concentration [ 26 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] and voltage [ 26 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 40 ]. Only a few studies examined the effect on mechanical properties.…”

Application of the dry‐spinning method to produce poly(ε‐caprolactone) fibers containing bovine serum albumin laden gelatin nanoparticles

“…The extrusion of PCL into monofilaments or multifilaments may be achieved by different fiber‐formation mechanisms, including melt spinning, solution spinning, and electrospinning . However, these extrusion procedures have limitations when biologically active agents have to be loaded into the fibers.…”