The Investigation Plasticizing Mechanism on Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Water/Caprolactam System and the Preparation of Raw PVA Fibers by Melt Spinning

A novel plasticizer system water/caprolactam (W/CPL) was applied in thermal processing of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), water as the primary plasticizer and caprolactam as coplasticizer. The plasticizing mechanism of PVA/W/CPL system was investigated and the raw PVA fibers was prepared by melt spinning. The result showed that the melting temperature of PVA polymers decreased and the window of thermal processing has broaden due to W/CPL plasticizer. In addition, the raw melt-spun PVA fibers with circular structure and uniform structure had great potential application prospects in cement-based reinforcement.