From the protection of "Blue Friend" firefighters' firefighting uniforms to the "pearl on the crown of manufacturing" large aircraft manufacturing, fiber technology is supported in many fields related to national economy and people's livelihood.

        It can be said that the technological innovation of new fiber materials and the collaborative innovation of the textile industry chain are related to many fields of national security and national economic development. They are important support for China to achieve a "manufacturing powerhouse" and also one of the key areas for innovative development of the manufacturing industry. Firmly promoting technological innovation is the core of achieving high-quality development in China's chemical fiber industry in the new era.

        What are the new developments in cutting-edge material technology innovation in the industry? What new achievements have been made in the functionalization of civil fibers? What are the key points that need to be grasped in the current stage of high-performance fiber technology supporting the "high-precision and cutting-edge" manufacturing industry

        On July 8th, the China Chemical Fiber Technology Conference (Taihe New Materials 2022) and the "Guiding Opinions on High Quality Development of Chemical Fiber Industry" promotion and implementation meeting were held in the Fiber New Vision live broadcast room. According to statistics, the cumulative number of online attendees on that day reached nearly 15000.

        This conference is jointly organized by the China Chemical Fiber Industry Association, the China Textile Engineering Society, and Yantai Taihe New Materials Co., Ltd. The conference focused on the theme of "integrity, innovation, and green development" and conducted in-depth discussions on the above hot topics.

        Global leader in functional material technology research

        Over the years, China's functional fiber material technology has been continuously upgraded and is currently at a global leading level. Especially in the field of functional material research and development, which is at the forefront of the world, China has made many breakthroughs.

        "Guided by the major strategic needs of the country and the development frontier of materials and fiber discipline", in recent years, Zhu Meifang, an academician of the CAS Member and dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Donghua University, led a research team to conduct in-depth research on smart fiber flexibility, functional fiber intelligence, and general fiber functionality.

        Zhu Meifang explained that the flexibility of intelligent fibers involves technologies such as controllable design, devitrization, and miniaturization; The intelligentization of functional fibers involves technologies such as electronic information, environmental response (color change, temperature regulation, humidity regulation), energy management (thermal, optical, electrical) fibers, intelligent clothing and device systems, etc; The functionalization of universal fibers involves aspects such as human comfort, safety protection, healthcare, durability, and aesthetics.

        Zhu Meifang focused on the introduction of gel fiber with light heat insulation characteristics, phase change fiber with energy management, and carbon fiber with energy storage function; The construction of gel fiber flexible nanofiber bridging aerogel, the construction of flexible aerogel fiber and its key properties are introduced; Introduced the research and thermal management performance of phase change fiber material PEG/A-HNTs composite materials; This article introduces the preparation of carbon based graphene fibers and their energy storage devices, as well as carbon nanotube fibers and their yarns and fabrics.

        Taking the construction of flexible nanofiber bridged aerogels as an example, Zhu Meifang explained that the key point of this technology is to form a multi-scale "soft hard" hybrid structure design and regulation to overcome the problem of inorganic aerogels with good thermal insulation but brittle properties. This technology uses macroporous nanofiber networks as templates, and grows a kind of nanoparticles in situ through the sol gel method. A new step is to form mesoporous cluster networks. By adjusting the addition amount of MTMS, a dual network aerogel with fiber bridging structure is formed.

        She further explained: "Flexible nanofiber bridging aerogel has good mechanical properties, excellent tensile properties, can withstand large bending strains such as bending, winding and folding without breaking, and has excellent processability, which can be cut and cut into any shape required."

        It is worthwhile to increase the research and development of cutting-edge technologies in fiber materials. For example, wearable devices in functional and intelligent fibers, although currently not on a large scale, have promising application prospects. "Zhu Meifang emphasized, In the future, fiber technology will change from the concept of 'small fibers' to' big fibers', integrating multidisciplinary technologies that combine functionality, integration, intelligence, conductivity, and responsiveness to form a 'five in one'. In the future, fiber technology will be ubiquitous, and will achieve cross integration with multiple disciplines such as materials, electronics, information, and machinery. It will be characterized by intelligence, superperformance, and greening, forming a traditional industry High permeability, disruptive, and transformative, thus forming the competitiveness of the new generation of Chinese fibers

        High performance fiber technology achieves a "big leap"

        The development level of high-performance fiber materials is a key indicator of a country's fiber technology development level. The technological level of high-performance fiber materials in China has steadily improved, and currently, China has become an important producer of high-performance fiber materials worldwide.

        Driven by technological innovation, China's chemical fiber industry has achieved many breakthroughs from 0 to 1. In particular, high-performance fiber preparation technology has made a leap, and is currently undergoing a transformation from having to being excellent. "Wang Yuping, director of the National Advanced Functional Fiber Innovation Center, introduced that China has successively conquered carbon fiber and para aramid fiber preparation technology, and key technologies and independent equipment for the industrialization of polyimide fiber have also achieved" from scratch ".

        Aramid is one of the three high-performance fibers, including para aramid and meta aramid. Among them, the global annual production capacity of meta aramid fiber is currently about 50000 tons, which has been widely used in safety protection, aerospace, automotive and rail transit, offshore wind power, and other fields. It is also the most widely used high-temperature resistant and flame-retardant fiber.

        Yantai Taihe New Materials Co., Ltd. is one of the leading aramid enterprises, with products ranging from para aramid to meta aramid. Guan Zhenhong, Deputy General Manager of the Aramid Division of the company, introduced that the engineering technology of Aramid in China has become more mature, gradually establishing a domestic product system and technical standards, and achieving the substitution of imported products.

        Guan Zhenhong introduced that in terms of performance improvement, the meta aramid produced by Taihe New Materials has improved fiber strength and elongation indicators, increased fabric softness and tear resistance; Solved the problem of fiber dyeing, such as using original solution dyeing and supercritical carbon dioxide dyeing technology to produce colored products.

        It is understood that Taihe New Materials has made certain progress in the industrialization of raw liquid colored aramid fibers. The company has a relatively complete range of aramid colored silk varieties, with over 260 color codes, "she said.

        Guan Zhenhong also introduced that in terms of cross-border applications, the application of meta aramid fibers has shifted from one-dimensional to two-dimensional. For example, aramid separators have excellent liquid absorption, high temperature resistance, and high ion conductivity, which can effectively improve the cycling and rate performance of batteries. They can manufacture lighter, thinner, and more compact high-capacity batteries, and have great development opportunities in the fields of new energy and high-end consumer goods.

        What is the next direction for technological innovation in the meta aramid industry? Guan Zhenhong introduced that attention should be paid to the improvement of fiber properties and multifunctional modification; To further achieve the scale and efficiency of product manufacturing, establish an integrated development model of the industrial chain from raw materials to terminals, and further focus on the "bottleneck" problem on the chain.

        Carbon fiber is the "king of high-performance fibers". To prepare carbon fibers with stable quality and excellent performance, the preparation technology of precursor fibers is crucial, and carbonization technology is also crucial. To achieve carbonization of raw silk, a carbonization process is required. In this process, the technical level of low-temperature and high-temperature carbonization furnaces is crucial.

        Xi'an Furuida Technology Development Co., Ltd. is an enterprise specializing in the production of carbonization furnaces. The general manager of the company, Liu Yonghua, introduced that whether it is low-temperature carbonization or high-temperature carbonization, multiple factors such as furnace structure, materials used, and temperature zone settings will have an impact on the quality of carbonization.

        Liu Yonghua further introduces: In recent years, the technology of domestic carbonization furnaces has been continuously improved, especially with the breakthrough of single line production scale of carbon fiber enterprises, which has shown a trend of large-scale carbonization furnaces. In the following industrialization, low-cost will be a major goal of carbon fiber enterprises. Correspondingly, the automation, energy-saving, and digitalization of domestic equipment will become a trend, which will help carbon fiber enterprises further stabilize product quality, reduce production costs, and improve competitiveness

        In fact, the industrialization process of domestically produced carbon fibers has always demonstrated typical independent technology driven characteristics.

        The head of a Jiangsu carbon fiber enterprise told reporters: Since 2021, domestic carbon fiber has ushered in a rare 'golden period', with products in short supply and prices rising significantly for several consecutive years. What is the reason for the hot market? The driving force of downstream demand is of course crucial, but it should also be recognized that in recent years, domestic carbon fiber enterprises, represented by leading enterprises, have continued to overcome difficulties, buried themselves in hard work, gradually mastered key technologies in their own hands, and broken through in this field The 'bottleneck' technology has contributed to the major national strategy. From the very beginning, domestic carbon fiber enterprises have been well aware of the difficulties and pain of being subjected to the 'three blockades' imposed by foreign countries, as well as the fact that key technologies cannot be purchased, and the need for independent innovation

        Always adhere to the core position of technological innovation

        From the perspective of the industry as a whole, the overall technical level of China's chemical fiber industry has entered the international advanced ranks, and its international competitiveness has further strengthened. Behind this is the continuous progress and drive of chemical fiber technology. At the same time, at present, China has introduced a series of new policies in key strategic materials, advanced basic materials, cutting-edge new materials, and other fields, which will also bring more new opportunities for the industry to continue promoting technological innovation in the next stage.

        Xia Nong, a first level inspector of the Industry Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, pointed out that currently, China's chemical fiber industry has made significant progress in areas such as technological innovation, green development, and intelligent manufacturing, especially with continuous breakthroughs in new fiber materials. This has greatly led the technological progress and value enhancement of the textile industry from the raw material side, not only meeting the new needs of the people for a better life, but also for aerospace, wind and photovoltaic power generation, marine engineering, environmental protection The high-quality development in areas such as safety protection and transportation has provided strong support.

        Xia Nong emphasized that during the 14th Five Year Plan period, the chemical fiber industry should continue to steadfastly promote technological innovation, focus on "filling the gaps" of key equipment in conventional products, focus on "strengths and weaknesses" of advanced fiber materials, and focus on "forging long plates" of functional differentiated fibers.

        Cao Xuejun, a first level inspector of the Consumer Products Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, introduced that since the 13th Five Year Plan period, China's chemical fiber industry has achieved significant technological innovation results, with four key core technological achievements in the industry winning the National Science and Technology Award. The industry has made significant breakthroughs in technology, production capacity, and products. During the 14th Five Year Plan period, the industry needs to build a high-end, intelligent, and green modern industrial system, and China needs to comprehensively build a strong chemical fiber country. Regarding the development goals, the "Guiding Opinions on High Quality Development of the Chemical Fiber Industry" also proposes five key tasks: improving the innovation and development level of the industrial chain, promoting the high-end development of new fiber materials, accelerating digital and intelligent transformation, promoting green and low-carbon transformation, and implementing the "three products" strategy of increasing varieties, improving quality, and creating brands.

        The Guiding Opinions highlight four characteristics, one of which is to adhere to the core position of technological innovation in industrial development, "Cao Xuejun emphasized.

        Looking at the development history of China's chemical fiber industry for over 70 years, every stage of development cannot be separated from technological progress. "Duan Xiaoping, Vice President of the China Textile Industry Federation, pointed out," At present, the overall technical level of China's chemical fiber industry has entered a new stage of gradually moving from being a follower to running alongside the world's leading level, providing strong support for China's economic development, improving people's livelihoods, ecological optimization, and national security

        When it comes to the outstanding performance of the chemical fiber industry in technological progress in recent years, Duan Xiaoping used these words to describe it.

        Duan Xiaoping introduced that the "comprehensive flowering" is reflected in the following aspects: firstly, the continuous upgrading of functional fiber material technology, which is at a global leading level; Secondly, the technology of bio based fiber materials has significantly improved and is currently in an accelerating stage of development; Thirdly, the technology of high-performance fiber materials has steadily improved, and China has become an important global producer of high-performance fiber materials; The fourth is the continuous innovation of fiber recycling technology, which is in an international leading position.

        The development of the chemical fiber industry during the 14th Five Year Plan and beyond has put forward more urgent requirements for accelerating technological innovation. Next, the industry should prioritize the improvement of original innovation capabilities, strive to achieve more breakthroughs from '1 to N' and '0 to 1', and further consolidate and expand China's chemical fiber industry's advantageous position globally. "Duan Xiaoping emphasized.