The project deals with the processing conditions required for gel spinning of vinyl polymers into high modulus fibers. Gel spinning involves dissolution of the polymers in a solvent, quenching into a gel filament, then drying and drawing to a high draw ratio. The work to be done for one year deals with 1) microbeam x.ray studies of high strength fibers, 2) chemical modification of poly (vinyl alcohol) fibers, and 3) dynamic mechanical spectroscopy of gel spun fibers.
