Advanced Manufacturing in Fiber Technologies: Thermal Drawing Process

This lecture delves into the Thermal Drawing Process, exploring the interplay between viscosity and surface tension in creating step index fibers with unique microstructures. It covers the processing of multi-material preforms, the impact of rheology on new materials, and the fluid dynamics involved. The lecture also discusses the viscosity of polymers, the concept of surface tension, and the development of sub-micrometer textured fibers. Various models are presented to understand the behavior of non-Newtonian fluids in low Reynolds number regimes. Additionally, the lecture touches on preventing reflow in textured fibers, the effect of drawing on microstructure, and the fabrication challenges in creating multi-material fibers for optical applications.