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A Paper for Insight 2004 Austin, Texas, USA

Oct. 10-14, 2004

Stretching the Value of Melt Blown with Cellulose Microfiber and Elastic Resins

Rongguo Zhao

Biax Fiberfilm Corporation, Greenville, Wisconsin

Abstract

The melt blowing (MB) process has been popular in making fine fibered articles, such as

filter media, protective clothes, absorbent products and many others. Currently

Polypropylene (PP) is the most used resin. The advantages of MB process attributes to

its simplicity in converting a polymer resin to a variety of fibered products in a single step.

The products of cellulosic microfiber and elastic resins will provide many additional

values for special properties. This paper focuses on the process/property of products

made from wood pulps and elastic resins. The potential applications of these products

will also be discussed.

Introduction

Melt blowing (MB) process has been popular in making fine fibered articles, such

as filter media, protective clothes, absorbent products and many others. Many

thermoplastics can be used in a MB technology, although polypropylene (PP),

polyethylene (PE), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(butylene terephthalate)

(PBT), poly(cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), co-polyesters and

polyamides are among the preferred polymers.

The MB technologies today can be roughly classified into two categories: (1)

single-row-drilled-hole type die design, which is also well-know as Exxon design; (2)

multiple-row-concentric-nozzles type spinnerette design, which is also known as

Biax/Schwarz design. The fundamental descriptions of these technologies may be found

in the literatures [1-6].

According to Nonwovens Industry magazine [7], demand of nonwoven roll goods

in the U.S. is expected to increase 3.9% per year to $5 billion in 2007, which is driven by

key markets such as filters, protective apparel, and geotextiles. Approximately 15 % or

more of this demand is melt blown microfibers. Currently, PP holds about 90% of the

MB nonwovens market because of its low cost, ease of processing, good mechanical

properties, negligible shrinkage and chemical inertness.

The industry has been constantly exploring higher potentials of MB process from

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a variety of aspects, including using specialty polymers [8], developing unique fiber and

web structures [1, 9], bicomponent [10, 11], and microfiber composites.

In order to develop unique MB products with premium value, many factors need

to be considered, among which are the targeted end uses, the polymer properties, the

MB equipment characteristics and capabilities, and the environmental impacts.

Recently Calvin Woodings pointed out that the fibers used in nonwovens

industry being almost exclusively non-biodegradable trigged increasingly stronger

concern for the environment among consumers [12]. An "environmentally friendly"

product, such as coverstocks for disposable diapers, is strongly preferred by the

consumers, but does not exist in the market. Research and development efforts at Biax

Fiberfilm Corporation on microfiber cellulose nonwovens are knocking the door for

economical biodegradable disposable products. The process includes preparation of

cellulose solution, extrusion, microfiber spinning, web forming, regeneration, and post-

treatments. In the first part of this paper, I will focus on the relationships of processing

conditions and property of products made from a cellulose solution.

Microfibered elastic nonwovens are also triggering significant interests in the

fields like medical fabric, protective clothing, and hygiene products. The second part of

this paper will briefly discuss the properties of elastic nonwoven webs made through the

Biax MB process.

1. Melt Blown Cellulosic nonwovens.

Cellulose from various woods and annual plants can be physically dissolved in N-

methylmorpholine oxide (NMMO) monohydrate under a carefully controlled procedure

[13-15]. The concentration of cellulose in this solution is normally in the range from 6%

to 15% and the rest of the solution is the NMMO hydrate. The amount of water used is

critical. Depending on the concentration of cellulose and the hydration number, the

processing temperature varies from 70ºC to 120ºC. However, the spinning solution over

120ºC is not recommended due to the potentially explosive reaction of the amine oxide

initiating at about 130ºC.

CH2-CH2 H2O2 /CO2 CH2-CH2 O

O N-CH3 O N

CH2-CH2 CH2-CH2 CH3

N- Methyl-Morpholine N- Methyl-Morpholine-N-Oxide

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1.1 Properties of cellulose/MNNO solution.

The cellulose NMMO solution exhibited a pseudoplastic behavior, i.e. under the

processing temperature, the solution dynamic viscosity decreases with the increase of

shear rate. At the same concentration of cellulose and hydrate number, the solution

made from cellulose with a higher degree of polymerization possesses higher dynamic

viscosity. The concentration of cellulose and hydration number are also affecting

parameters of solution dynamic viscosity. At a proper range, the dynamic viscosity

increases with the cellulose concentration. When this concentration is higher than a

critical number, the solution viscosity starts decreasing. Deformation rate has a great

impact on the behaviors of the solution. It behaves more like a viscous liquid at low

deformation rates and shows more elastic properties at high deformation rates.

Today, cellulosic fibers can be produced by spinning the wood pulp solution of

NMMO into an air gap before entering a coagulation bath. The process is known as dry-

jet-wet spinning with a solvent recovery of 99.6% in practice. This man-made fiber,

Lyocell, possesses excellent properties for many industrial, apparel, and medical

applications. However, this process is expensive for making fiber alone.

1. 2 Biax Cellulose Melt Blown Technology

A research Team at Biax Fiberfilm Corporation is exploring an economic way of

manufacturing cellulosic nonwovens by utilizing its patented MB technologies, which

features multiple rows of spinning nozzles (up to 200 nozzles per inch die) and

concentric air holes for high productivity, high efficiency and excellent product quality.

The Biax system can continuously spin under high melt pressure with a throughput

capacity 3~5 times higher than a conventional MB system. A special system is

particularly designed based on existing Biax MB technology [6] by taking the rheological

properties of the NMMO solution into consideration. The NMMO cellulose solution is in

solid form at room temperature and becomes a viscous fluid at an elevated temperature.

Its physical behaviors are very similar to a common thermoplastic resin. Therefore, it

may not be improper to keep the known terminology of melt blown for convenience.

1. 2. 1 Experimental Equipment and Process

The experimental MB system set-up is shown in Figure 1, which includes an

extruder, a screen changer, a metering pump, a spinning head, and a web forming

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system. Sensors, transducers, regulators and gauges were installed on the line to

monitor or control the parameters, such as temperature, pressure, speed of extruder, air

compressor, die assembly, collecting/take-up system and coagulant circulating system.

The spinning head consists of heated die body, a filter block, NMMO solution inlet, air

inlet and, coagulant inlet and a spinnerette of multiple-row-spinning nozzles. A collecting

drum with a take-up roller and a coagulating bath were located under the die assembly.

The coagulating solution is supplied to the jet heads by a high-pressure pump from the

reservoir, which is refilled with the circulating coagulant. The high velocity air jets

attenuate the viscous NMMO cellulose solution threads, which are turned into

microfibers by the coagulant jets through mass transfer. The air jets and the coagulant

jets work together to drag, regenerate and entangle the microfibers to form a self-

bonded web.

1. 2. 2 Observations and discussions

Concentration of the cellulose-NMMO and the degree of polymerization (DP) of

cellulose significantly affect the rheological properties, which in part determines the

spinnability of the solution. At a certain concentration, solution of higher DP cellulose

exhibits higher viscosity and more elastic property. This would result in great difficulties

of fiber attenuation and web forming. A specially designed spinnerette is under

construction to handle high DP cellulose-NMMO solutions.

We have successfully made microfiber webs from a relatively low DP cellulose-

NMMO solution with our 15-inch pilot machine, which is equipped with a 4-row-nozzle

spinnerette. A typical process condition for a relatively low DP cellulose-NMMO solution

is presented in Table 1. Handling the cellulose-NMMO solution for extrusion starting with

a solid stage can be challenging. Due to its extremely hydrophilic nature, the ground

cellulose/NMMO solid solution tends to pickup moisture quickly and creates feeding

problems. A Continuous supply of a small quantity of Argon to the hopper bottom has

proven very helpful.

Regeneration of cellulose from its NMMO solution is one of the critical steps to

ensure desirable web and fiber properties. During the process, the attenuated filaments

interact with each other due to air turbulence. A water (non-solvent) spray to the fiber

stream will partially regenerate the filament surface, which significantly reduces the

interfusion of the filaments while touching each other. To study this effect, the coagulant

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jets in the spinnerette were turned off, when needed, with water spray nozzles installed

in both sides of the fiber stream.

Table 1. The processing conditions and size of the Cellulose Melt blown fibers

Polymer Cellulose-NMMO solution (DP=330~420, 12.5%wt)

Extruder T zone 1 =165F; T zone 2 =198F; T zone 3 =230F; T clamp = 230F

Screen changer T Sc Ch = 230F

Metering Pump T pump =230F

Die block T melt =230F; P melt =650 psi; T air =250F; P air =14 psi

Water jet P=150psi

DCD 29 ~ 51 cm

Fiber size 4 ~ 25 m

1 2 3 4

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1: extruder

2: screen changer

3: gear pump

4: air manifold

5: die block

6: spinnerette

7: air inlet

8: coagulant inlet

9: collector

10: hydro-jets

11: nip rollers

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Figure 1. Experimental set-up for making microfiber cellulosic nonwovens

Figure 2 shows the effect of water spray on web structure. Since the attenuated

filaments (strands of cellulose-NMMO solution) are in a sticky state, without water spray

during MB, the filaments merge into one another at any contact points. Several fibers

may combine together to form big segments, as shown in Figure 2a. The resulting

products are stiff and brittle due to over bounding among fibers and incomplete

regeneration of the big fibers/segments.

Having water sprays in both sides of the MB filament stream at a proper location

of the spin line is proven essential for making valuable products. Spraying water on to

the web forming area on the collector surface helps the filaments to reduce bonding,

which results in softer products. Although the amount of combined big segments of

multiple fibers is reduced, the fused intersections remain, as shown in Figure 2b.

In a typical melt blown process, the fibers diameter reduces dramatically within

the first few centimeters from the spinnerette. It continues to decrease in the next few

centimeters with a much lower attenuation rate [1, 2]. The length of this attenuation

distance varies depending on the type of polymer, processing conditions, and

spinnerette settings [8]. Having this in mind, one will carefully apply water spray to a

location in the spin line where filament interactions are still not significant. At the

processing conditions listed in Table 1, the two-sided water spray is applied to the fiber

stream at 18 cm from the spinnerette. As shown in Figure 2c, the fibers are much

smaller and the merged segments of several fibers are considerably decreased.

Comparing Figure 2a, 2b, and 2c, one may reach a conclusion that water spray at a

proper location enhances fiber attenuation and prevents fibers from combining into big

fiber segments.

Figure 2d is a SEM microphotograph of cellulosic microfibers made from the

same equipment with coagulant jets instead of water spray. The coagulating jets have

the following major functions: (1) regenerating the cellulose from its NMMO solution into

Lyocell microfiber, (2) attenuating the filaments, and (3) entangling the microfibers to

form nonwoven web. These powerful jets minimize inter-fiber fusion and reduce the

formation of big fiber segments. The fiber size ranges from 4 m to 25 m with an

average of 14 m. The webs exhibit nice softness, good strength, and excellent

wetability.

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1.2.3 Potential Applications

The cellulose microfiber nonwovens have the following unique properties, (1)

based-on renewable natural recourses, such as woods and some annual plants, (2)

biodegradable, (3) high temperature endurance, (4) excellent strength, (5) antistatic, and

(6) to be colored readily. They will find various applications in a broad spectrum. The

following are some examples of these potential applications

Baby diapers

Feminine hygiene napkins

Adult continental products

Bandages

Air filters

Liquid filters

Household wipers

Shop towels

Battery separators

Vacuum cleaner bags

Cosmic pads

Cabin Air Filtration in Cars and Planes

Food Packaging

Apparels

Disposable underwear

1.2.4 Future Research Plans

Based on our previous research, a new prototype spinnerette has been designed.

It will be fabricated and assembled with other processing components to develop a

complete MB pilot line. By using this pilot line, at least three wood pulps with degrees of

polymerization (DP) of 400~1000 and different solutions will be thoroughly investigated.

Great efforts of the present project will focus on productivity and efficiency. The

other issues include interactions among air, filaments, and coagulation solution, and

their effects on the properties of fibers and the nonwoven web. Specifically, we will (1)

identify the operation windows for given solution compositions, (2) improve the melt

blowing process, (3) establish the processing/property relationships (4) identify key

issues requiring resolution during the technology commercialization.

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Figure 2 Cellulose MB microfibers

(a) Without water spray during MB; (b) Spray at the point of web-forming;

(c) Spray onto the spin line; (d) water-jetting during MB

a b

c d

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2. Microfiber nonwovens with elastic resins

Although thermally treated and stretched PP nonwoven web can achieve one

dimensional elasticity, nonwovens from a elastic resin are attracting more interests for a

variety of applications, including hygiene, medical, apparel, and personal care products.

Via a bicomponent spunbond technology, elastic nonwoven fabrics have been produced

with an extreme low sheath/core ratio [16]. The very thin sheath layer of non-elastomer

is activated during fiber attenuating process and form a corrugated fiber surface after lay

down, which is important to achieve the elasticity of the core. This thin layer of non-

elastomer covers the rubbery sheath to ensure a superior hand. Elastic MB nonwovens

are also under investigations by different researchers [17,18].

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elastomer is one of the popular resins to

make elastic fibers. Melt blown grade TPU is available in the market from a few

manufacturers. Other examples of resins available for MB process include polyether-

ester (PEE) elastomer, polyolefin elastomer and thermoplastic rubber.

Spinning these elastomers into fibers by a MB process is challenging in

comparison to PP melt blowing. Our experience taught us that drying is a critical step for

a successful TPU MB production. However, the selection of MB machine has a

significant impact on the web quality and their performances. Figure 3 shows the major

difference between a Biax design and a conventional design of MB technologies. Biax

MB technology features multiple rows of spinning nozzle with individual concentric air

jets to attenuate the fibers. It also tolerates high melt pressures at the spinnerette with a

wide operation window ranged from 300 PSI to 2000 PSI. A conventional MB technology

has a single row of spinning holes with impinging air streams from both sides of the die

tip to draw the fibers. The safe operation pressure of this process is about 300 PSI. This

will set the two technologies apart when trying to melt blow elastomers. Currently

available elastomers have melt flow rates mostly lower than 100 compared to common

MB grade resins that have melt flow rates higher than 300. In other words, one will

expect high melt pressure during melt blowing of these elastomers. Therefore, the

advantage of Biax MB technology is obvious over the other type.

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Figure 3, A comparison between two major MB technologies

The elasticity of the extruded filaments increases the filament turbulence during

MB process, which increases the tendency to produce merged fiber bundles. Figure 4

are the scanning electron microscopy images showing the PEE fiber bundles made from

a conventional MB process. Although fiber bundles or ropes are commonly observed for

MB PP and other semicrytalline polymers, under proper processing conditions, the fibers

are individual fibers in the bundles. In case of elastomer, fibers in a bundle are combined

and partially fused to each other, as shown in Figure 4b. As noted above, currently

available elastomers have relatively low melt flow rates. For a conventional MB line, high

temperature profiles are frequently used to reduce the high melt pressure at the die tip.

The heat from both melt and air keeps the attenuating and elastic filaments tacky for a

longer time, which causes a significant amount of fusion of entangled fibers.

With a Biax MB line, a lower temperature profile is normally employed and the

operation pressure at the spinnerette can be above 1500PSI. This allows the fiber

surface cool enough before significant fiber entanglement occurs. The individual

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concentric air jets apply friction forces on to filament surfaces parallel with the air

blowing direction, which permit filaments to travel longer distance without touching one

another. In addition, the spacing between Biax spinning nozzles is inherently bigger than

that in a conventional die. Therefore, the elastic web made from a Biax MB line exhibits

a structure similar to a normal PP MB web. The fused fiber bundles are significantly

reduced, as shown in Figure 5. This web structure allows the best fiber coverage,

enhances barrier properties, and ensures good elasticity in all directions, which are

critical for many end applications, such as protective apparel, medical and hygiene

products.

Conclusions:

With the increased environmental concerns on thermoplastic disposable products,

the nonwovens industry starts making efforts to develop fully biodegradable products

from biodegradable PLA, biodegradable polyester to biodegradable Lyocell. Although

Lyocell fibers are commercialized and the output increased lately, the cost of this fiber is

still too high for nonwoven disposable products. Making Lyocell nonwoven roll goods

from a one-step MB type process with high throughput and high efficiency will open a

door of hope for the industry to use this excellent fiber. Our R&D efforts in this area are

getting financial support from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce [19]. A 15-inch

MB-type pilot line equipped with a multiple-row-spinning-hole spinnerette will be built for

extensive investigations focusing on operation windows, process/structure/property

relationships, and economic models of the process.

The nonwovens industry can also take good advantages of Biax MB technology

to produce elastic microfiber products. The concentric multiple-row-nozzle spinnerette

offers the industry high productivity, effectiveness, flexibility and energy saving. We have

made elastic microfiber webs from several elastomers, including TPU, PEE, EVA

polyolefin elastomer and thermoplastic rubber. Resulting products from a Biax MB line

showed superior web properties with higher productivity.

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Figure 4. Microphotograph of PEE fibers made from a conventional MB process

(a) fiber bundles, 200X; (b)cross-section of a fiber bundle, 700X

Figure 5. Microphotograph of elastic fibers made from a Biax MB process

(a) PEE elastomer, SEM, 500X, (b) Polyolefin elastomer, Optical, 100X

a b

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2. Zhao, R. and Wadsworth, L. C. “Attenuating PP/PET Bicomponent Melt Blown Microfibers” Polymer Engineering and Science, 43(2), 463-469 (2003)

3. Shambaugh, R. L., “A macroscopic view of the melt blowing process for producing microfibers” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 27: 2363-2372 (1988)

4. Zhao R., Wadsworth, L. C., Zhang, D., and Sun, C. “Polymer Distribution during melt blowing PP/PET and its improvement”, J. of Applied Polym. Sci., 85 (14): 2885-2889 (2002)

5. Schwarz; E. C. A. "Apparatus and process for melt-blowing a fiber forming thermoplastic polymer and product produced thereby" US Patent 4,380,570 (04-19-1983)

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7. Nonwovens Industry magazine Vol34, No.11, Page: 18.

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12. Woodings, C., “New Developments in biodegradable nonwovens” Http://www.technica.net/NF/NF3/biodegradable.htm

13. Petrovan, S., et. al., “Rheology of Cellulosic N-Methylmorpholine Oxide Monohydrate Solutions of Different Degrees of Polymerization”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 79:396-405 (2001)

14. Zhang Y., et. al. “Formation and Characterization of Cellulose membranes from N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide Solution”, Macromol. BioSci., 1(4): 141-148 (2001)

15. Liu, R., et. al. “The online Measurement of Lyocell fibers and Investigation of Elongational viscosity of Cellulose N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide Monohydrate Solutions”, Macromol. Mater. Eng., 286(3): 179-186 (2001)

16. http://www.advenceddesignconcepts.com/brochure.pdf

17. Wadsworth, L. C., “Melt Blown Thermoplastic Polyurethane for Elastic Military Protective Chemical Liners”, Book of Papers, INTC 2002

18. Srinivas, S., “VISTAMAXX TM –Novel Polyolefin Specialty Elastomers from ExxonMobil Chemical “ Book of Papers, ANTEC 2004, Chicago, IL, May, 2004

19. “Biax Fiberfilm advances MB cellulosic fabric manufacturing” Nonwovens Markets, 19(17): 1 (Sept. 8, 2004)