Investigation of gravity-spun, melt-spun, and melt-blown polypropylene fibers using atomic force microscopy

The morphology exhibited in a polymer depends on the particular process and processing conditions used to shape and modify the polymer. This morphology has an important influence on the final polymer product (sheet, molded part, etc.). Ten years ago, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was applied for the first time on polymer materials. Since then, AFM has been used extensively on polypropylene (PP) surfaces, but still very little has been reported on the use of AFM for analyzing PP fibers. The purpose of our work was to show the modifications of (a) the morphology and (b) the microstiffness of PP fiber surfaces processed under different operating conditions. Three fiber production processes were used: gravity spinning, melt spinning, and melt blowing.