Spinning of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fiber Composites Incorporated with Fumed Silica

The spinning of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber composites in laboratory-scale was studied. The objective was to improve the thermal property of the polyester fibers by incorporation with modified fumed silica. The fumed silica was modified with vinyltriethoxysilane in diethyl ether at room temperature for 24 h. The modification of the fumed silica with the vinyltriethoxysilane reduced the agglomeration of the fumed silica particles and the dispersion of the fumed silica in the polyester fibers was improved. The incorporation of the modified fumed silica in the polyester was spinnable and compatible with the PET matrix. Also, the fumed silica promoted the formation of char and would protect the polyester fibers from burning.