Abstract: In order to study Vectran fiber′s ability to resist acid and alkali and provide necessary information for its application, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide with different concentration were chosen to process Vectran fiber. After that, the fiber′s weight loss, breaking strength and superficial morphology were tested. The results revealed that the difference of weight loss between sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide process was very little, only concentrated sulfuric acid could cause a very serious corrosion on the fiber′s surface; the breaking strength of Vectran filament wasn′t affected a lot by the sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, only the concentrated sulfuric acid could damage the fiber; SEM showed the sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide′s process led the surface of Vectran fiber to generate longitudinal grooves, the density and depth of these grooves related to the sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide′s concentration and the process time and the process of sulfuric acid could cause a more obvious superficial damage.

Key words: Vectran fiber, acid and alkali, weight loss, breaking strength, superficial morphology