Mass production of ultra-fine fibre by melt electrospinning method using umbellate spinneret.

Solventless melt electrospinning which allows mass production is substantially safe. It can produce fibres of hundreds of nanometres, one order of magnitude lower than that of conventional melt-blown spinning. In this paper, a comparison between different technologies producing ultra-fine fibre reveals the advancement of melt electrospinning method using umbellate spinneret for ultra-fine fibre mass production. Some typical industrial polymer materials was also spun using melt electrospinng method, including biodegradable materials like polylactic acid and polycaprolactone (PCL), which may contribute to some interesting applications. In addition, a machine for mass production is also proposed. Finally, proposition of the industrialisation of ultra-fine fibre by melt electrospinning is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]