Abstract: A catalyst composition for producing polyesters comprises: a) an organometallic compound obtained by reacting an orthoester or condensed orthoester of titanium, zirconium or aluminum, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base; and b) at least one compound comprising germanium, antimony or tin. Polyesters obtained by esterification reaction in the presence of the catalyst compositions according to the present invention exhibit improved melt properties and are particularly suitable for production of textile and commercial fibers, films and rigid packaging.

Abstract: The subject matter herein is directed to a polymer-based cap ply reinforcement material that has a shrinkage component, wherein the reinforcement material is treated such that the shrinkage component increases at least about 10% over a reference shrinkage component of a reference polymer-based reinforcement material. The subject matter herein is further directed to a method of producing a product comprising a polymer-based cap ply reinforcement material, wherein the method includes: a) providing a reference polymer-based cap ply reinforcement material having a reference shrinkage component; b) providing a polymer-based cap ply reinforcement material having a shrinkage component; c) treating the polymer-based cap ply reinforcement material such that the shrinkage component increases at least about 10% over the reference shrinkage component of the reference polymer-based cap ply reinforcement material.

Abstract: A product includes a dimensionally stable polymeric multifilament yarn having a decitex per fiber count DPF of at least 7.5 and a fatigue strength retention FR, wherein preferred yarns are spun and drawn such that FR increases when DPF increases. Particularly preferred yarns are fabricated from poly(ethylene terephthalate) and have a DPF of between 10 and 20.

Abstract: A polymer-based reinforced rubber composition may be produced that comprises a) a plurality of polymer-based fibers, wherein at least some of the plurality of polymer-based fibers comprises at least one surface modification agent; and b) a rubber compound, wherein the rubber compound comprises a plurality of active rubber moieties, and wherein at least some of the plurality of active rubber moieties is adhesively interactive with the surface modification agent.

Abstract: A method and system of manufacturing reinforcement materials for rubber products, particularly tires. The method comprises the steps of twisting two or more yarns together to form a cable, and directly after twisting, applying and cuing an adhering agent to the cable to form a treated cord. The steps of twisting the yams and applying and cuing the adhering agent are performed on one machine without intermediate take-up. The invention is also directed to a system for producing treated cord, the system comprising a one-machine twist and treat unit.

Abstract: A spun polyester fiber, a drawn polyester yarn, and methods for making them. Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by extruding a molten melt-spinnable polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 0.8 through a shaped extrusion orifice having a plurality of openings to form a molten spun yarn; solidifying gradually said molten spun yarn by passing said molten spun yarn through a solidification zone which comprises (i) a retarded cooling zone and (ii) a cooling zone adjacent said retarded cooling zone where, in said cooling zone, said yarn is rapidly cooled and solidified in a gaseous atmosphere; withdrawing at sufficient speed said solidified yarn from said solidification zone to form a crystalline partially oriented yarn; and hot drawing said crystalline partially oriented yarn at a total draw ratio between about 1.5/1 and about 2.5/1 to produce a drawn yarn having an effective crosslink density (N) between about 10×1021 and about 20×1021 crosslinks per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: An adhesion promoter comprises a polymeric strand with an epoxy-reactive group other than a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a crosslinking group that crosslinks the polymeric strand with a rubber in a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polymeric strand is water soluble in an amount of at least 10 g/l, and more preferably at least 100 g/l. Particularly contemplated adhesion promoters may further comprise styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine copolymer, and may advantageously be employed as a replacement for resorcinol-formaldehyde latex in the fabrication of a rubber containing tire. Especially contemplated rubber compositions may additionally comprise maleinized polybutadiene to synergistically improve adhesion of the rubber to a polymeric fiber coupled via contemplated adhesion promoters.

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: The present spin finish composition comprises at least about 10 percent by weight based on the spin finish composition of components (a) and (b) having the formula R1—(CO)x—O—(CH(R2)—CH2—O)y—(CO)z—R3 wherein each of R1 and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to 22 carbon atoms or an alkylene hydroxy group having from one to 22 carbon atoms, x is zero or one, R2 may vary within component (a) or component (b) and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to four carbon atoms, y is zero, or from one to 25, and z is zero or one, in component (a), x and z are equal to zero and the average molecular weight of component (a) is less than or equal to 1,900 and if R2 varies, component (a) is a random copolymer; and in component (b), at least x or z is equal to one or component (b) is a complex polyoxyethylene glyceride-containing compound having greater than 10 polyoxyethylene units; up to about five percent by weight base

Abstract: An improved load leveling yarn has a force-displacement profile that maintains desirable properties of previously known yarns (as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,811), but exhibits a lower elongation at a stress that is greater than the IBS but less than or equal to 1.8 grams/denier. Especially preferred yarns are produced from PET with an IV of greater than 0.9 and epsilon caprolactone (at a ratio of about 90:10) under copolymerization conditions that allow reaction of at least 95% of the added epsilon caprolactone. Such yarns can then be formed into a web to form specific products, and especially seat belts.

Abstract: A spin finish which enhances yarn processability and contributes to improved yarn performance. The spin finish is advantageous when compared with conventional spin finishes applied to industrial yarn because the present spin finish enhances yarn processability as evidenced by low forming, improved mechanical quality at lower amounts of spin finish per yarn, improved mechanical quality at higher draw ratios, and minimal depositing. It also improves yarn performance as evidenced by improved strength and wicking.

Abstract: An undrawn yarn is produced at increased quench delay and increased take-up speed to achieve improved ultimate elongation at a given crystallinity. Particularly preferred aspects include products comprising such yarns and methods for producing same.

Abstract: A method and system of manufacturing reinforcement materials for rubber products, particularly tires. The method comprises the steps of twisting two or more yarns together to form a cable, and directly after twisting, applying and curing an adhering agent to the cable to form a treated cord. The steps of twisting the yarns and applying and curing the adhering agent are performed on one machine without intermediate take-up. The invention is also directed to a system for producing treated cord, the system comprising a one-machine twist and treat unit.