Abstract: An improved process for winding an elastic fiber onto a core for forming a package and/or warp beam for use in knitting or weaving operations is disclosed. The improvement comprises forming the elastic fiber into a shape having a fiber cross section such that the width of the fiber is at least three times the thickness of the fiber prior to winding the fiber onto the supply package. Another aspect of the invention involves forming elastic fiber using a extrusion melt spinning process with a die having one or more openings which have two generally perpendicular axes, wherein one axis is at least about 1.5, preferably at least about 3 times longer than the other axis. The fiber of the present invention having the elongated cross section can be used to make improved supply packages for knitting or weaving fabric and also for making improved nonwoven structures and improved binder fibers.

Abstract: Fibers having improved resistance to moisture at elevated temperatures comprise at least two elastic polymers, one polymer heat-settable and the other polymer heat-resistant, the heat-resistant polymer comprising at least a portion of the exterior surface of the fiber. The fibers typically have a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent core/sheath morphology. Typically, the core comprises an elastic thermoplastic urethane, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer.

Abstract: Fibers having improved resistance to moisture at elevated temperatures comprise at least two elastic polymers, one polymer heat-settable and the other polymer heat-resistant, the heat-resistant polymer comprising at least a portion of the exterior surface of the fiber. The fibers typically have a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent core/sheath morphology. Typically, the core comprises an elastic thermoplastic urethane, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer.

Abstract: A fiber is obtainable from or comprises a propylene/?-olefin interpolymer characterized by an elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the elastic recovery and the density satisfy the following relationship: Re>1481-1629(d). Such interpolymer can also be characterized by other properties. The fibers made therefrom have a relatively high elastic recovery and a relatively low coefficient of friction. The fibers can be cross-linked, if desired. Woven or non-woven fabrics can be made from such fibers.

Abstract: A fiber is obtainable from or comprises an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer characterized by an elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the elastic recovery and the density satisfy the following relationship: Re>1481?1629(d). Such interpolymer can also be characterized by other properties. The fibers made therefrom have a relatively high elastic recovery and a relatively low coefficient of friction. The fibers can be cross-linked, if desired. Woven or non-woven fabrics can be made from such fibers.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fibers. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber: cellulose fiber bonding versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fiber. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber:cellulose fiber versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fibers. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber:cellulose fiber bonding versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fibers. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber:cellulose fiber bonding versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: Elastic fibers are described that comprise (i) a polyolefin polymer, e.g., a homogeneously branched, preferably substantially linear, ethylene polymer, and (ii) a photoinitiator, e.g., an aromatic ketone, in an amount sufficient to effect at least a partial cross-linking of the polymer when the fiber is exposed to sufficient UV-radiation to activate the photoinitiator. Articles, e.g., fabrics, comprising fibers of this invention, either alone or in combination with one or more other fibers, e.g., cellulose, nylon, etc., exhibit good heat resistance and elasticity at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Fibers having improved resistance to moisture at elevated temperatures comprise at least two elastic polymers, one polymer heat-settable and the other polymer heat-resistant, the heat-resistant polymer comprising at least a portion of the exterior surface of the fiber. The fibers typically have a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent core/sheath morphology. Typically, the core comprises an elastic thermoplastic urethane, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fibers. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber:cellulose fiber bonding versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: Elastic fibers are described that comprise (i) a polyolefin polymer, e.g., a homogeneously branched, preferably substantially linear, ethylene polymer, and (ii) a photoinitiator, e.g., an aromatic ketone, in an amount sufficient to effect at least a partial cross-linking of the polymer when the fiber is exposed to sufficient UV-radiation to activate the photoinitiator. Articles, e.g., fabrics, comprising fibers of this invention, either alone or in combination with one or more other fibers, e.g., cellulose, nylon, etc., exhibit good heat resistance and elasticity at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A doped intrinsically-conductive polymer having a conductivity of at least about 10−12 Siemens/cm (S/cm); which is doped with at least two different dopants, including a “short-chain dopant” having a molecular weight of less than 1,000 and a “long-chain dopant” which is polymeric and has a weight average molecular weight of greater than 2,000.

Abstract: A process for preparing an electronically-conductive thermoplastic composition having at least two phases, which includes (A) combining an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer or miscible blend of polymers with an electronically-conductive carbon under conditions sufficient to disperse the conductive carbon, thereby forming a mixture having at least one phase, with at least 60 percent of the carbon dispersed in a first phase which comprises at least 90 percent by weight of the mixture; and (B) combining the mixture obtained from step (A) with an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer or miscible blend of polymers, at least a portion of which is immiscible in the first phase, thereby forming a composition having at least two phases. Compositions prepared by this process are sufficiently conductive to be useful for a variety of applications, such as structural materials for applications requiring electromotively-paintable substrates.

Abstract: Described is a method for preparing a polybenzazole filament which comprises extruding a polybenzazole dope filament, drawing the filament across an air gap, coagulating and washing the filament, and drying the filament, characterized in that a solution of a compound selected from the group consisting of ferrocenes, ruthocene, iodide-, cobalt-, and copper-containing compounds, dyes, and mixtures thereof is contacted with a filament subsequent to the washing step and prior to the drying step. This method provides a means to improve the tensile strength retention of damaged polybenzazole filaments following exposure to sunlight.

Abstract: Described is a continuous process for removing polyphosphoric acid from a polybenzazole dope filament, which comprises: (a) contacting the dope filament with water or a mixture of water and polyphosphoric acid under conditions sufficient to reduce the phosphorous content of the filament to less than about 10,000 ppm by weight; and then (b) contacting the dope filament with an aqueous solution of an inorganic base under conditions sufficient to convert at least about 50 percent of the polyphosphoric acid groups present in the filament to a salt of the base and the acid. It has been discovered that contacting the dope filament with a solution of a base after washing the filament to remove most of the residual phosphorous advantageously leads to an improvement in the initial tensile strength of the filament, as well as improved retention of tensile strength and/or molecular weight (of the polybenzazole polymer) following exposure to light and/or high temperatures.

Abstract: Fibers spun from polybenzazole dopes can quickly be washed to remove polyphosphoric acid by a combination of initially washing with an acidic liquid and second washing with a hot leaching fluid at at least about 60. The process can reach acceptable residual phosphorous levels (1500-2000 ppm) in as little as about 2 or 3 minutes.

Abstract: Polybenzazole polymer dopes are spun through a spinneret having more than 2 per cm.sup.2, of orifices in relatively close proximity. The dope filaments formed, then pass through an air gap which has a temperature of 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. and a gas flow sufficient to uniformly reduce the temperature of the dope filaments. The filaments cool in the air gap and are then coagulated.