Abstract: The invention is a method of coloring melt spun condensation polymers while avoiding hydrolytic degradation and maintaining the melt viscosity of the polymer. The method includes adding a liquid dispersion of a colorant to the melt phase of a condensation polymer, and in which the amount and type of the liquid in the dispersion will not substantially affect the melt viscosity of the condensation polymer; and thereafter spinning the colored melt phase condensation polymer into filament form. In another aspect the invention is a polyester filament including polyethylene terephthalate, a colorant, and a nonaqueous organic liquid that is soluble in melt phase polyester, and has a boiling point above 300.degree. C., but that otherwise does not modify the polymer chain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a molding material, which comprises melt-extruding a styrenic polymer essentially having a syndiotactic structure or a composition containing the polymer to give strands, then rapidly cooling the resulting strands to thereby make the surface temperature of the strands not higher than the melting point of the styrenic polymer or the composition containing the polymer, and thereafter gradually cooling them to thereby make the surface temperature of the strands not higher than a temperature higher by 20.degree. C. than their glass transition temperature, and finally pelletizing the strands into pellets. The pellets produced have a high degree of crystallinity and can be well molded into good moldings.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for pelletizing a feed material containing finely divided solids and water by compressing the feed material in the die cavities of a pellet mill and permitting excess water to escape from the material being compressed through at least one water escape opening in each die cavity.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol is processed into fiber or pellets for further processing, or directly into water-soluble film, in a screw-and-barrel extruder, which has a slow temperature rise and a mild kneading action achieved by a non-stick coating applied to the screw.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a glass-polyamide composite comprising bringing into contact or mixing (A) an aqueous solution containing water, water glass, and a diamine and (B) an organic solution containing an organic solvent and a dicarboxylic acid halide to carry out polyamide formation and polycondensation of water glass simultaneously.

Abstract: A method which is capable of manufacturing regenerated synthetic resin products, particularly slide fastener parts of regenerated synthetic resin, with good quality by using as a raw material such waste synthetic resin materials as emanate from the production line of slide fasteners of synthetic resin or arise from waste plastic products.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is described for granulating plastic strands (4) which emerge from nozzles (3) in molten form and are supplied to a following, downward inclined runoff channel (1) in which the plastic strands are transported by a liquid stream, in particular water stream. Further the apparatus has a dewatering zone (1b) for the plastic strands (4) and a granulator (6) disposed after this dewatering zone. Between the dewatering zone (1b) and the granulator (6) there is at least one tempering zone (9) comprising a rigid, unmoving channel (15) and integrated transport rolls (16) for the plastic strands (4) and having a length such that the temperature differences of the plastic strands (4) across their cross section are largely equalized during their holding time in the tempering zone (9).

Abstract: Process of producing skin-core fibers and the resulting fibers and nonwoven materials and articles wherein the fibers are composed of a polymer blend of a polyolefin and polymeric bond curve enhancing agents, such as ethylene vinyl acetate polymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to colored polyester thermoplastics comprised of polymeric colorants having poly(oxyalkylene) moieties and/or anionic dye/quatenary ammonium substantially inorganic salt-free colorant complexes mixed with diluents selected from the group consisting essentially of sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters, ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters, mixtures thereof of sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters, ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers, ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers, mixtures thereof of said ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers and ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers, and mixtures of (i) sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters or ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and (ii) ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers or ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers.

Abstract: A process for producing a non-woven fabric of ultrafine polyolefin fibers by subjecting a web of splittable conjugate polyolefin fibers to a water needle processing, and non-woven fabric thus obtained are described. The polyolefin composite fibers, contain 1.0 to 7.0% by weight of a hydrophilic component blended therein. The non-woven fabrics include ultrafine fibers having a size of 0.5 denier or less and a non-circular cross-section. Splitting and peeling off of the conjugate fibers and generation of static electricity with the composite fibers at a carding step is suppressed. The non-woven fabrics have an excellent wiping property, softness, and hydrophilic property.

Abstract: A continuous method of and system for fabricating thermoset polymer pellets wherein thermosetting polymeric resin material flows axially in a temperature controlled, mixer-extruder barrel while maintaining the material between a melt temperature and a higher thermosetting reaction temperature, and extrudes from the barrel at an extrusion temperature between the melt and reaction temperatures. The extruded material is formed into generally spheroidal pellets which are cooled in a transporting coolant liquid stream and charged to the interior of an open ended, centrifuge basket having a porous circumferential wall and an interior annular pusher plate. The wall is rotated to demoisterize the pellets by centrifugally removing liquid coolant and while reciprocating the pusher plate and basket relatively to displace the pellets axially along and off the basket wall. Pellets are taken from the basket wall without substantially fracturing them and forming an undue percentage of fines.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved process for recycling waste polymeric material comprising a mixture of waste polymeric material wherein the waste polymeric material includes from about 0 to 40 percent aliphatic polyamide material; granulating and densifying the chopped mixture into fragments at least about 100 times smaller than the size of the waste polymeric material; and extruding the ground mixture at a temperature that does not exceed the temperature at which the largest portion of polymer based material decomposes.

Abstract: Flow agent particles, Aluminum Oxide C, are blended with metal oxide phosphor particles in an amount less than or equal to 2% by weight of the phosphor particles. The blended particles are finely sifted, through a 10 micron screen, in a sonic-sifting apparatus. The sifted particles are introduced into a carrier resin, thermoplastic polymers such as polyamide, polyester, and polypropylene, during the melt-stage of an extrusion and pelletizing process, to form pellets in an amount of less than or equal to 30% by weight of the polymer. The pellets are fed, via a volumetric color chip feeder, into a melt extrusion unit to form multi-filament phosphorescent textile yarn in an amount of less than or equal to 10% by volume of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for producing polyolefin resins granules are disclosed, which comprises extruding by using a homodirectional (co-rotating) twin-screw kneading extruder a polyolefin resin from a die nozzle having a diameter of less than 2 mm and a discharge amount per hole of 0.5-8 Kg/hr into warm water of 5-90.degree. C. which is lower than a temperature of the resin by 140-220.degree. C., and cutting the extrudate with a cutter blade in the warm water. According to this invention, uniformly dispersed compounds are obtained, and switching of a raw resin can be done speedily and economically, and further, resin granules of a desired shape can be produced.

Abstract: Process of producing a polypropylene containing fiber and the resulting fiber and non-woven articles. The process involves the extruding of polypropylene containing material having a broad molecular weight distribution to form a hot extrudate having a surface, and quenching the hot extrudate in an oxidative atmosphere so as to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of the surface to obtain a fiber having a higher average melt flow rate as compared to an average melt flow rate of an inner, non-degraded portion thereof, and containing at least 7 percent of molecules having a molecular weight greater than 5.times.10.sup.5.

Abstract: A system for making densified glass fiber pellets from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, and densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube for a period of time sufficient to increase their density but insufficient to degrade the fibers to a point where composite articles formed from such pellets have lower tensile or impact strengths than comparable composite articles formed from unpelletized strand segments.

Abstract: Crimped polybenzazole staple fibers which satisfy the following specifications at the same time:(1) 2.ltoreq.number of crimps (number/inch).ltoreq.40(2) 2.ltoreq.crimp index (%).ltoreq.30(3) 0.3.ltoreq.crimp index/number of crimps.ltoreq.3.0; methods for manufacturing crimped polybenzazole staple fibers; and the rotary cutter therefor. The crimped polybenzazole staple fibers of the present invention are superior in crimp property and are useful for manufacturing spun yarn and unwoven fabric. According to the method of the present invention, crimped polybenzazole staple fibers superior in spinnability can be manufactured with ease. In addition, the cutting blade of the present invention stands a long time use for manufacturing staple fibers from a continuous filaments tow of high tenacity fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for customizing a thermoplastic resin in which a thermoplastic resin body, a thermoplastic polymeric component, and an additive component are provided in a container with means for mixing. The thermoplastic resin body is at a first temperature that is above the onset temperature of the melt processing range of the polymeric component. A coating that is a mixture of the additive component and the polymeric component is formed on at least a portion of the thermoplastic resin body. After the coating is applied, the resin body is cooled to solidify the coating composition. The customized thermoplastic resins produced according to the invention may be heated to above the onset temperature of the melt processing range of the resin body, mixed to form a substantially uniform mixture and formed into an article.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a molded article by molding a thermoplastic elastomer powder having a sphere-reduced average diameter of 0.7 mm or less, a bulk specific gravity of at least 0.38 and a failing property of 20 second/100 ml or less, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer contains an elastomeric ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer and a polyolefin resin and has a complex dynamic viscosity .eta.*(1) of 1.5.times.10.sup.5 poise or less when measured at 250.degree. C. at a frequency of 1 radian/sec., and a Newtonian viscosity index n of 0.67 or less, in which the Newtonian viscosity index n is calculated according to the following formula:n=(log .eta.*(1)-log .eta.*(100))/2wherein .eta.*(100) is a complex dynamic viscosity measured at 250.degree. C. at a frequency of 100 radian/sec.

Abstract: This pelletizer relates to pelletizer systems of the type that include a scraper blade. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a removable, replaceable, breakaway scraper blade that can be changed out easily and quickly without damaging the remainder of the blade assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot-cut pelletizer for thermoplastics having a housing which is designed as a hollow rotational body and the interior space of which is supplied with polymer melt, which is forced through channels passing radially through the housing wall and is cut into pellets by cutters which rotate in a substantially water-free space and slide over the openings of the channels along a cutting face running around the housing wall. The housing wall is surrounded by a ring of stationary cooling water nozzles, which direct cooling water jets onto the cutters in the manner of a jacket over the cutting face at such a small radial distance from the latter that the polymer melt is thereby chilled directly after leaving the cutting face and at the same time the cutters are cooled up to the cutting edges by the cooling water with the pellets being flung out radially.

Abstract: A pelleting press for pressing from a powdery, granular and/or pasty material compacted rod-shaped pieces of said material, comprising a die (1) with one or more rotatable rolls (6) co-operating therewith each having an axis (5) supported in such a manner that it is situated in a plane through the axis (3) of the die (1) and a gap (9) is defined between the die (1) and the or each roll (6), further comprising means for supplying the material to be pressed towards the or each gap (9), and driving means for moving the die (1) and the or each roll (6) in respect of the material supplied to the or each gap (9), all this in such a manner that the supplied material when moving in the gap between the die and a roll is compacted and is pressed through the apertures (2), the support of the die and/or the or each roll being so that the gap height is adjustable, the driving means being adapted for driving the die as well as the or each roll, and the velocity of at least the die or the each roll being independently varia

Abstract: Long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin compositions are made by passing a loosened continuous fiber bundle web through a coating die having a resin discharge outlet and coating at least one side of upper and lower sides of the web with a thermoplastic resin melt discharged from the resin discharge outlet. The web is pulled from the coating die in a generally horizontal downstream running direction. While the resin-coated continues fiber bundle web is being pulled generally horizontally the resin-coated continuous fiber bundle web is brought into contact with a plurality of upper and lower bars located downstream and outside of the coating die and arranged such that respective contact positions between web and the bars are generally in a horizontal plane, and such that the longitudinal axis of each of the bars is oriented transversely relative to the downstream running direction of the web. In such a manner, the web is impregnated with the resin melt to thereby form a fiber-reinforced composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for producing a long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin compositions by initially loosening a continuous fiber bundle by a fiber loosening device so as to form a moving web-like continuous fiber bundle. At least one side of the moving web-like continuous fiber bundle which passes through the die is coated with a thermoplastic resin melt extruded through a slit disposed in the die by an extruder. The slit has substantially the same width as that of the web-like continuous fiber bundle to provide an even supply of the resin melt in the width direction of the web-like continuous fiber bundle. A thermoplastic resin melt is supplied to the slit via a plurality of resin supply paths which are branched successively on the same plane. The resin supply paths are positioned so as to be symmetrically planar with respect to the central axis of the root paths thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing a fibrillated cellulose acetate fiber comprising contacting cellulose acetate fiber with a strong base solution at conditions sufficient to remove greater than about 5% of bulk acetyl groups from said cellulose acetate fiber. Modified cellulose acetate staple fiber comprising an outer layer of regenerated cellulose in which at least about 5% of the acetyl groups are removed on an overall fiber basis are also disclosed. Paper products incorporating said fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: High resiliency biodegradable starch-based extruded products and methods of manufacturing those products are provided. In particular, extruded starch products processed by rolling provide excellent resiliency, abrasion resistance and other properties attractive for use as packaging materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a fiber is provided where a liquefied polymer is divided into at least two streams. The streams are directed separately to a point of recombination, and extruded through, for example, a spinneret, and fiberized to form a single fiber having portions of each stream. The divided polymer streams are treated substantially identically from the point of division to the point of recombination.

Abstract: A continuous process for activated anionic lactam polymerization is proposed, wherein a liquid system is employed, which simultaneously contains activator and anionic catalyst for the polymerization of lactam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recycling waste polymeric material comprising a mixture of waste polymeric material wherein the waste polymeric material includes from about 15 to 50 percent aliphatic polyamide material; granulating the chopped mixture into fragments at least about 100 times smaller than the size of the waste polymeric material; and extruding the ground mixture at a temperature of less than about the T.sub.g of the lowest melting waste aliphatic polyamide polymeric material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for producing a long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin compositions by initially loosening a continuous fiber bundle by a fiber loosening device so as to form a moving web-like continuous fiber bundle. At least one side of the moving web-like continuous fiber bundle which passes through the die is coated with a thermoplastic resin melt extruded through a slit disposed in the die by an extruder. The slit has substantially the same width as that of the web-like continuous fiber bundle to provide an even supply of the resin melt in the width direction of the web-like continuous fiber bundle. However, the slit has a spacing which changes at a point in the widthwise direction of the web-like continuous fiber bundle so as to be increased as the point is more remote from a feed port and have a constant spacing in the flowing direction of the thermoplastic resin melt.

Abstract: A process for rapidly improving the flowability, in pellet form, of a molding composition is disclosed. Accordingly, the crystalline content of an amorphous or a semi-amorphous version of a crystallizable thermoplastic resin is increased by subjecting the resin to infra-red radiation to an extent which induces the formation of crystals in the irradiated amorphous resin or the increase of the level of crystals in the semi-amorphous irradiated resins. The resin modified by the inventive process is rendered more suitable for processing: in dried, pellet-form, the modified resin is characterized by its improved flowability. An article molded from the thus modified resin exhibits better properties than does a corresponding article made from a unmodified resins which has been subjected to similar drying conditions.

Abstract: A die for the preparation of a toner resin in an extruder having a housing defining a housing aperture therein and a conveyor for conveying the resin through the housing aperture to form a stream of resin is provided. The die includes a member connected to a first end of the housing. The member defines an opening therethrough. The member includes a splitter disposed adjacent the opening for splitting a stream of resin passing through the opening in a first direction into two separate streams of resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making laminar articles by blending multicomponent pellets of a heterogeneous blend of a barrier resin, typically a condensation polymer, and a compatibilizer with a polyolefin. The pellets advantageously prevent segregation of the barrier resin and the compatibilizer during processing. This provides uniform, reproducible laminar articles with improved barrier properties and mechanical properties. The articles exhibit good fluid barrier and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method of forming a flame retardant cellulose fiber is disclosed which comprises the steps of producing lyocell fiber and incorporating a flame retardant chemical into the fiber while the fiber is in the never-dried condition prior to first drying.

Abstract: A method for the production of a tampon formed of a blend of regenerated solid cellulosic viscose fibres, is provided in which the blend includes a first set of fibres having a first cross-sectional characteristic and a second set of fibres having a second cross-sectional characteristic. The first cross-sectional characteristic is different from the second cross-sectional characteristic. The method includes the improvement of forming the blend by forming a tow of viscose rayon fibres having the same blend ratio of first and second sets of fibres as is required in the tampon by spinning viscose dope through a jet to form a plurality of filaments. The jet has a plurality of dimensionally controlled holes pierced therein. In this way a plurality of different fibre cross-sectional shapes or sizes are simultaneously formed directly in the tow by spinning the viscose dope through the jet having the required plurality of different shaped or sized holes pierced therein.

Abstract: A true solution of up to about 15 weight % of polyphenylene ether (PPO) in a styrenic polymer may be prepared by dissolving the PPO in one or more of the monomers polymerized to form the styrenic polymer and polymerizing the resulting solution in the presence of a free radical initiator. The resulting polymer has a higher Tg than crystal polystyrene and is suitable for use in hot drink containers.

Abstract: Polyolefin fibers, suitable for the preparation of nonwoven fabrics, prepared by using a spinneret or extruder with dies having a real or equivalent output diameter of the capillaries or holes greater than 0.4 mm, with the proviso that for fibers having a denier greater than or equal to 4 dtex, the ratio of the output capillary or hole diameter to the denier is greater than or equal to 0.06 mm/dtex.

Abstract: A strand cutting machine at least includes a rotary blade assembly (A) having a plurality of rotary blades, a stationary blade unit (B) having a guide portion (7) for guiding strands toward the rotary blade in an axial direction of a rotary shaft of the rotary blades and a take up roller (1, 2) disposed on the side of the base end of the guide portion for taking up the strands and further includes a housing for accommodating the above mentioned components. Each rotary blade is comprised of a blade plate (5) having a blade edge at one end thereof. Each blade plate has its blade edge which is the closest to the stationary blade and is located on the same rotary plane and is disposed on and around the rotary shaft while the blade plate is retracted far from the stationary blade in a direction from the blade edge to the base end thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a resin structure reinforced with long fibers. A continuous fiber bundle is impregnated with a resin melt while the fiber bundle is being drawn continuously. Thereafter, the continuous resin-impregnated fiber bundle is shaped so as to have a cross-section of the intended final product. The shaped resin-impregnated fiber bundle is then cut at a downstream location. Shaping of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle is accomplished by a plurality of rolls, each having grooves formed on the outer periphery thereof which receive the continuous resin-impregnated fiber bundle. The grooves and the rolls are arranged such that the rolls are placed, in an alternating manner, at upper and lower positions with respect to the fiber bundle which is being drawn and such that the grooves of the rolls on the elevation plane perpendicular to the running direction of the fiber bundle forms a shape of the cross-section of the intended final product.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously making chopped amorphous fibers that uses an air transport system. The apparatus includes a source of floss, a duct for transporting the floss while it is entrained in a stream of gaseous carrier medium, a chopper for chopping the floss, and a separator. In a preferred embodiment, the floss is chopped while it is entrained in the stream of gaseous carrier medium using a rotating ring chopper, and the chopped floss is subsequently separated using a cyclone separator.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous drying and crystallization of crystallizable thermoplastic synthetic material (plastic), e.g. polyethylene terephthalate, in which plastic from the melt is extruded in cord form, solidified at the surface by quenching in water and crystallized by gas treatment and dried, using a device for cooling and drying the cord emerging from dies having a casting gutter with its acceptance end arranged beneath the dies and a device producing a flow of coolant on the casting gutter within a quenching section, a subsequent dewatering section in which the casting gutter has apertures for the free flow of the coolant, a subsequent drying section in which the casting gutter has closely spaced nozzles for the passage of gas and a granulator downstream of the drying section. The lengths of the quenching, dewatering and drying sections must be such, taking account of the rate of creep of the cord along the casting gutter, that the passage time in the quenching section is a maximum of some 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a phosphorescent synthetic resin material capable of absorbing and accumulating light therein in the light and phosphorescing in the dark, a method for the production of the material, and a formed article or molded article made of the phosphorescent synthetic resin material. The phosphorescent synthetic resin material having a phosphorescent pigment, SrAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, uniformly dispersed in the synthetic resin is obtained by mixing the synthetic resin with the phosphorescent pigment and an activator and kneading the resultant mixture at a temperature 10 to 20.degree. C. higher than the melting point of the synthetic resin. In a preferred embodiment, the resultant compound is extruded at a temperature 10.degree. to 20.degree. C. higher than the melting point of the synthetic resin under an extrusion pressure in the range of 50 to 130 kg/cm.sup.2 and the extruded strands are chopped to produce pellets.

Abstract: Crimped fibres of solvent-spun cellulose are made and checked for damage in a method in which:i) cellulose is dissolved in an amine oxide solvent to form a hot cellulose solution,ii) the hot cellulose solution is extruded through a die assembly to form a tow of continuous filaments,iii) the tow is passed through a water bath to leach out the amine oxideiv) the tow is crimped by passing through a stuffer box in which it is compressed to apply crimp,v) dry steam being injected into the stuffer box during the crimping process, andvi) the crimped tow leaving the stuffer box is passed through detection means in whichvii) a beam is projected across the path of travel of the tow and is received by receiving means on the opposite side of the tow, the receiving means being calibrated to initiate a signal if obscurement of the beam by the tow varies beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: In a fiber composite plastic composed of plastic composition and fibers, the fibers have a pronounced fiber length distribution, in particular more than 50% by weight of the fibers have a length outside the range from 0.8.times.L to 1.2.times.L, where L is the mean (weight average) fiber length, and the mean fiber length is greater than the critical fiber length of the plastic composition/fiber system.

Abstract: Staple fibres of solvent-spun cellulose are made by a method in which:i) cellulose is dissolved in an amine oxide solvent to form a hot cellulose solution,ii) the hot cellulose solution is extruded through a die assembly to form a tow of continuous filaments,iii) the tow is passed through a water bath to leach out the amine oxide,iv) the tow is crimped by passing through a stuffer box in which it is compressed to apply crimp,v) dry steam being injected into the stuffer box during the crimping process, andvi) the crimped tow is passed to a cutter and cut to the desired fibre length. An apparatus is also provided in which the staple fibres can be made.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a thermoplastic composition from carpet wherein a carpet sample are melt blended without separating the carpet into its component parts. The process of the present invention produces a thermoplastic composition useful as a substitute for virgin thermoplastics in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A pelletizing apparatus including rotating cutting knives which are moved against a die plate to sever the plastic strands into pellets. The knives are driven such as to ensure a constantly parallel contact without any partial lifting of the knives from the die plate caused by the unilateral fixing of the cutting knives. This is achieved by a coupler mechanism which connects the knives to the hub of the knife head and ensures a parallel arrangement of the cutting edges of the knives over their entire length relative to the die surface.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the preparation of polybenzazole staple fibers which includes extruding a solution of polybenzazole polymer to form a dope filament, cutting the dope filament to a desired length, and washing and drying the cut filament. It has been discovered that the process of the invention provides a suitable means to prepare staple fibers which does not require the cutting of washed, rigid polybenzazole filaments.

Abstract: Multiconstituent fibers prepared from two or more polymers, with at least one of these polymers being randomly dispersed through the fiber, in the form of domains. At least about 40 percent by weight of these domains have one length of at least 20 microns, measured in the direction along the fiber axis, and have another length, measured along the longest line dissecting the domain cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the fiber axis, of at least about 5 percent of the fiber equivalent diameter.

Abstract: A water-absorbent water-insoluble fibre or film is produced by extruding an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer into a gaseous medium to form fibre or film. The extruded fibre or film is collected at a moisture content of 8 to 25% based on the dry weight of the fibre or film and is further dried at a temperature no greater than 100.degree. C. before crosslinking the fibre or film at a temperature in the range 125.degree. to 250.degree. C. to a degree sufficient that the crosslinked fibre or film is water-insoluble. The fibre or film entering the crosslinking step has a moisture content which is reduced, preferably by at least 5%, and which is in the range 0 to 10%. Heat-crosslinked fibre is preferably treated with moist air after crosslinking to raise the moisture content of the fibre to at least 10%, particularly if the fibre is for textile processing. Water-absorbent water-insoluble coatings can be produced by a similar process.