An attempt has been made to investigate the feasibility for a novel concept of supercooled spinning to obtain orientation-induced crystallization at speeds lower than that for the high-speed spinning technology. This is achieved by setting the nozzle temperature lower than the melting point for PET, making the polymer a supercooled fluidic liquid, and then spinning the supercooled. The experimental results show that high orientation and high crystallinity can be achieved at a spinning speed of 2500 m/min, which is in good comparison with a speed of 5000-6000 m/min to obtain similar degree of orientation and crystallinity in the high-speed spinning. The properties of the as-spun fibers obtained by supercooled spinning were analyzed, and a rational theoretical account for the supercooled spinning is explored. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.