Study on hyperbranched polyesters as rheological modifier for Spandex spinning solution

The rheological behavior of polyurethane (PU)/N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) spinning solutions with various contents of hyperbranched polyesters was studied using a RS150L‐controlled stress rotational rheometer. The results showed that the viscosity of the spinning solutions could be greatly reduced by adding hyperbranched polyesters even at 0.5 wt% loading. The zero‐shear viscosity of solutions with hyperbranched polyesters was much lower than that of pure PU/DMF solution, which indicated a lower degree of entanglement when solutions were in a static state. The apparent activation energy of viscous flow and the critical shear rate for shear thinning of solutions with hyperbranched polyesters were much lower than that for pure PU/DMF solution, which indicated a weaker entanglement structure formed. In addition, the effect of hyperbranched polyesters on the mechanical properties of Spandex fiber was discussed.