Gel spinning of polyacrylonitrile fibers with medium molecular weight

A new gel‐spinning method was employed to prepare polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers from a PAN spinning solution with dimethylsulfoxide and water as a mixed solvent. Aging at 25 °C for 120 min brought the spinning solution to the sol–gel transition and a three‐dimensional gel formed before entering the coagulation bath. The as‐spun fibers from the solution at the sol–gel transition and in the gel state possess a circular cross‐section. Compared with dry‐jet wet‐spun fibers, the gel‐spun fibers have a more compact structure, fewer voids and better mechanical properties after a three‐stage drawing. Moreover, the gel‐spun fibers obtained from the extraction bath have a more homogeneous microstructure and better packed supermolecular structure. The physical properties of the extracted gel‐spun fibers are also better than those of coagulated gel‐spun fibers. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry