Spinneret (polymers)

Spinneret (polymers)

Spinneret refers to a multi-pored device through which a plastic polymer melt is extruded to form fibers. Streams of viscous polymer usually exit into cool air or liquid to solidify. The individual polymer chains tend to align in the fiber because of viscous flow. This airstream liquid-to-fiber formation process is similar to the production process for cotton candy. The process may be referred to as Gel spinning or Polymer spinning.

The alignment imposed during the extrusion process is important in determining the nature of the resultant fibre, both in synthetic polymer production and in the silk spinnerets of insects and spiders.