Abstract
Forcespinning is a novel method that makes use of centrifugal forces to produce nanofibers rapidly and at high yields. To improve and enhance the forcespinning production method, a 2D computational forcespinning inviscid fluid dynamics model is developed. Two models, namely time-independent and time-dependent, are obtained in order to investigate the influence of various parameters on fiber forcespinning formation (trajectory, jet diameter, tangential velocity). The fluid dynamics equations are solved using the method of multiple scales along with the finite difference method, and including slender-jet theory assumptions. It is important to produce jets with small diameters in the micro- and nano-range. The Weber (We) and Rossby (Rb) numbers were found to both expand the jet trajectory as they increased. Increasing We and/or decreasing Rb was found to decrease the jet diameter. Also, by varying forcespinning parameters, it has been found that the jet radius can be decreased by increasing the jet exit angle in the direction of rotation, reducing the spinneret fluid level, increasing the angular velocity of the spinneret, reducing spinneret length, and/or reducing the orifice diameter. Knowing the jet trajectories is important for designing and positioning of fiber collector. It has been found that the trajectories expand out with the increase of the jet exit angle in the direction of rotation, increase of fluid level, increase of angular velocity, and/or increase of the spinneret length. Production rates and jet radii for any predetermined radial collector distance were also determined.