NUMERICAL-SIMULATION OF THE SPINNING FLOW OF LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

The spinning flow of liquid crystalline polymers is numerically calcul ated using a modified Doi model. The flow dealt with is an axisymmetri c spinning flow for the examination of velocity and molecular orientat ion developments inside a filament and is solved with a finite differe nce method. The velocity profile varies from a convex profile to a uni form one through a concave one that is peculiar to the liquid crystall ine polymers. The distribution of the molecular orientation near the n ozzle exit is found to cause the generation of the concave profile. Fu rthermore, the results of the simulation suggest the requirement of a long spinline for the attainment of a uniform profile of the molecular orientation inside a fiber. (C) 1997 The Society of Rheology.