Imogolite nanotubes (INTs) form transparent aqueous nematic solutions, with strong birefringence and X-ray scattering
power. They provide an ideal model system for studying the assembly of one-dimensional nanomaterials into fibres, as well
as offering interesting properties in their own right. Here, in-situ polarised optical microscopy is used to study the wet
spinning of pure INTs into fibres, illustrating the influence of process variables during extrusion, coagulation, washing and
drying on both structure and mechanical properties. Tapered spinnerets were shown to be significantly more effective than
thin cylindrical channels for forming homogeneous fibres; a result related to simple capilliary rheology by fitting a shear
thinning flow model. The washing step has a strong influence of structure and properties, combining the removal of residual
counter-ions and structural relaxation to produce a less aligned, denser and more networked structure; the timescales and
scaling behviour of the processes are compared quantitatively. Both strength and stiffness are higher for INT fibres with a
higher packing fraction and lower degree of alignment, indicating the importance of forming a rigid jammed network to
transfer stress through these porous, rigid rod assemblies. The electrostatically-stabilised, rigid rod INT solutions were
successfully cross-linked using multivalent anions, providing robust gels, potentially useful in other contexts.