Abstract: Novel filaments and yarns for carpets, upholstery and other applications, the spinneret and method for their production and carpets manufactured therefrom. The filaments of the invention are solid multi-lobal filaments of complex convex-concave surface contour possessing low luster, low moment of inertia, high color intensity upon dyeing and high covering power. Carpets manufactured therefrom possess low luster, soft hand, high covering power and high body suitable for premium residential application. The filaments of the invention are produced at high throughput and productivity by the method of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and devices to actively apply finish to one or more yarns in motion at speeds greater than about 3000 m/min, to achieve a finish application of 0.2 wt % or more with a coefficent of variation of finish concentration of 10% or less, and the finished yarns so produced. The devices are compact, portable and readily installed at a variety of positions on a fiber processing line, such as between heated godet rolls. The devices contain the finish so that contamination of the surrounding areas is prevented. The yarn products of the invention may be used in textile and leisure fiber applications and in industrial fiber applications, such as tires.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid cabled cord comprising: at least two yarns having different properties, and an unbalanced configuration wherein the hybrid cabled cord has improved tensile strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, one of the two yarns comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second of at least two yarns comprises polyethylene naphthalate and the coring level is between about 3% to about 15%. The present invention is also directed to a process for making a hybrid cabled cord comprising the steps of: supplying at least two yarns having different properties to a direct cabler, and cabling the at least two yarns using the direct cabler to achieve a hybrid cabled cord having a coring level which is not zero. The present hybrid cabled cord may be used in tire cord for rubber reinforcement in passenger car tires, van tires, light truck tires, or motorcycle tires.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods and compositions for achieving material coloration using particle scattering. These coloration effects can be designed to be either highly stable or dependent upon the switching effects of either temperature, integrated thermal exposure, moisture absorption, or exposure to actinic radiation. Articles employing materials with these coloration effects are described. Composition comprise a solid, light-transmitting matrix component having a non-liquid particle scattering colorant dispersed. Articles are produced wherein another solid second matrix component has an electronic transition colorant dispersed therein and the first and second compositions are disposed on one another and optionally interpenetrate each other. Colored articles are produced in the form of fibers, films and molded articles.

Abstract: A process for making a polyamide substrate characterized by enhanced breaking strength and fade resistance is disclosed. The process features the steps of treating a polyamide substrate, preferably a nylon 6 substrate having a hindered amine light stabilizer chemically bound thereto, with an effective amount of an ultraviolet inhibitor, an antioxidant and optionally, a dye, in the presence of a swelling agent for the polyamide that is also a solvent for the ultraviolet inhibitor and the antioxidant to impart high breaking strength to the substrate. A life preserver or other type of buoyancy device may be made from the process. A polyamide fabric comprising a dye, an ultraviolet inhibitor and an antioxidant also is disclosed. When a polyamide fiber of the present invention is exposed to sunlight, the useful life of the fiber is greatly increased compared to untreated polyamide fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides load leveling and impact energy absorption webbing comprising warp yarn. If the webbing is used in seat belts, the webbing provides load leveling behavior from about 450 pounds (about 2,000 Newtons) to about 1,800 pounds (about 8,000 Newtons) in vehicle collision. The yarn has a force-displacement profile such that: (a) when the yarn is subjected to an initial barrier stress of from about 0.2 gram/denier to less than or equal to about 1.4 grams/denier, the yarn elongates to less than 3 percent and the initial modulus ranges from about 20 grams/denier to about 150 grams/denier; (b) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than the initial barrier stress and less than or equal to 1.8 grams/denier, the yarn elongates further to at least about 10 percent and the energy absorbed from 0 to the elongation at 1.8 grams/denier is at least about 0.0008 Joule/denier·meter; and (c) upon subjecting the yarn to greater than 1.

Abstract: Polyethylene solutions are extruded through a multi-orifice spinneret into a cross-flow gas stream to form a fluid product. The fluid product is stretched at a temperature at which a gel will form at a stretch ratio of at least 5:1 over a length of less than about 25 mm with the cross-flow gas stream velocity at less than about 3 m/min. The fluid product is quenched in a quench bath consisting of an immiscible liquid to form a gel. The gel is stretched. The solvent is removed from the gel to form a xerogel and the xerogel product is stretched in at least two stages to produce a polyethylene yarn characterized by a tenacity of at least 35 g/d, a modulus of at least 1600 g/d and a work to break of at least 65 J/g. The yarn is further characterized by having greater than about 60% of a high strain orthorhombic crystalline component and, optionally, a monoclinic crystalline component greater than about 2% of the crystalline content. Composite panels made with these yarns exhibit excellent ballistic resistance, e.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods and compositions for achieving material coloration using particle scattering. These coloration effects can be designed to be either highly stable or dependent upon the switching effects of either temperature, integrated thermal exposure, moisture absorption, or exposure to actinic radiation. Articles employing materials with these coloration effects are described Composition comprise a solid, light-transmitting matrix component having a non-liquid particle scattering colorant dispersed. Articles are produced wherein another solid second matrix component has an electronic transition colorant dispersed therein and the first and second compositions are disposed on one another and optionally interpenetrate each other. Colored articles are produced in the form of fibers, films and molded articles.

Abstract: An agglomeration process by which granules are formed by the steps of: (a) injecting polymer having sufficient viscoelasticity; and (b) impacting particles on the polymer at the injection point. The present invention is advantageous because it overcomes the problems of previous granulation process and subsequent art processes by having a very low recycle rate and allowing for control of granule size. It is particularly useful for fertilizer granule formation using a ureaform polymer and particles comprised of ammonium sulfate.