Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for obtaining para-type wholly aromatic polyamide particles, comprising the steps: a) introducing an aramid polymer solution into a water-based coagulating liquid to obtain a hydrous shaped product; and b) subjecting the never-dried or partly-dried shaped product having a water content of 10 to 99% by weight to freeze-grinding. These aramid polymer particles can be used as a filler material.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a fiber comprising 0.5-30 wt. % based on the weight of the fiber of a composition comprising: a) a Bunte salt (A); b) a polysulfide compound (B) comprising the moiety {S]n— wherein n=2-6; and c) sulfur or a sulfur donor (C). Preferably the polysulfide compound has the formula: wherein n=2-6; R is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxyl, C1-C12 alkyl or alkoxyl or aralkyl; The invention further relates to a vulcanization process for making a fiber-elastomer composition comprising the step of vulcanizing: (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one natural or synthetic rubber; (b) 0.1 to 25 parts by weight of an amount of sulfur and/or a sulfur donor, to provide the equivalent of 0.1 to 25 parts by weight of sulfur; and (c) 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of said fiber.

Abstract: Method and mixture for the manufacture of thermoplastic materials with good processibility and adjustable lifetime, comprising at least one oxidizing promoting agent (prodegradant) and at least one stabilizer. The prodegradant is a fat-soluble metal compound manufacturable by allowing a metal salt to react with a fat-soluble organic compound in a process involving a suitable oxidizing. The end product has an oxidizing ability with respect to a certain reduction agent that is higher than the oxidizing ability of a reference product manufactured from the same metal salt and the same fat-soluble organic compound without the use of oxidizing agent. A stabilizer with suitable process stability and long-term stability is used in combination with the prodegradant. The invention also concerns products manufactured by the method.

Abstract: A method improves bundle cohesiveness of a bundle of aramid yarns, and decreasing its friction coefficient. The method includes adding to the bundle of yarns 0.1-3.0 wt.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for producing a low reducing agent-containing keratin, comprises the steps of (a) cleaving disulfide (CysS-SCys) bonds in a keratin-containing starting material, using a reducing agent in an aqueous medium, to obtain an intermediate keratin product wherein at least 90% of cleaved disulfide bonds have the structure CysS? or CysSH; (b) removing excess of reducing agent at a pH between 9 and 14 to obtain an aqueous solution or dispersion of keratin having a ratio R of at least 10%, wherein R=100*([CysS?]+[CysSH])/([CysS?]+[CysSH]+2[CysS-SCys]); and (c) optionally, removing water to obtain a keratin-containing dispersion, powder, or granule. The invention further relates to products such as aqueous solutions, dispersions, powders, granulates, and the use of the keratin obtained in the 15 preparation of foam, shaped articles, and formulations.

Abstract: A cord consisting of a core and a sheath is provided, whereby the core contains high-modulus fibres embedded in a matrix and is at least predominantly ensheathed with fibres that form the sheath.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a composite material comprising PPTA (poly-p-phenyleneterephthalamide) and nanotubes having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a cross-sectional diameter of 5 nm or less, the composite material containing up to 12 wt. % of nanotubes, obtainable by adding the nanotubes to sulfuric acid, decreasing the temperature to solidify the mixture, adding PPTA to the solid mixture, heating to above the solidifying point and mixing the mixture, and spinning, casting, or molding the mixture to the composite material. The process comprises the steps: a) adding nanotubes having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a cross-sectional diameter of 5 nm or less to sulfuric acid at a temperature above the solidifying point of the sulfuric acid; b) decreasing the temperature to below the solidifying point of the sulfuric acid and mixing for a sufficient time to solidify the mixture; c) adding PPTA to the solid mixture; and d) heating to above the solidifying point and mixing the mixture.

Abstract: A para-aramid fibrid film is disclosed that has at least 95% of the bonds of the polymer are para-oriented. A method for making said para-aramid fibrid film by (a) polymerizing a para-oriented aromatic diamine and a para-oriented aromatic dicarboxylic acid halide to an aramid polymer having only para-oriented bonds in a mixture of solvents consisting of N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethylacetamide and calcium chloride or lithium chloride to obtain a dope wherein the polymer is dissolved in the mixture of solvents and the polymer concentration is 2 to 6 wt. %, and (b) converting the dope to para-aramid fibrid film is also described.

Abstract: Aramid fibrils having in the wet phase a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value less than 100 ml, after drying a specific surface area (SSA) less than 7 m2/g, and a weight weighted length for particles having a length >250 ?m (WL 0.25) less than 1.2 mm, are described. A method of preparing the fibrils includes the steps (a) polymerizing an aromatic diamine and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid halide to an aramid polymer, in a mixture of N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethylacetamide and calcium chloride or lithium chloride to obtain a dope wherein the polymer is dissolved in the mixture and the polymer concentration is 2 to 6 wt. %, (b) converting the dope to fibrils by using a jet spin nozzle under a gas stream, and (c) coagulating the fibrils using a coagulation jet.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a composition of an aromatic polyamide containing para-phenylene terephthalamide and 2-(p-phenylene)benzimidazole terephthalamide units, the method including copolymerizing: i) a mole % of para phenylenediamine; ii) b mole % of 5(6)-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole; and iii) 90-110 mole % of terephthaloyl dichloride in a mixture of N-methyl pyrrolidone and containing c wt. % of calcium chloride, wherein c is within the range from 1to 20, and wherein the ratio a:b ranges from 1:20 to 20:1, a+b is 100 mole %, and i), ii), and iii) together comprise 1-20 wt. % of the mixture, wherein the product b.c is at least 50 and less than 215 and that the composition is a crumb with a relative viscosity ?rel of at least 4, wherein the crumb is defined as non-sticky particles at least 95% of which having an average diameter of 0.7-15 mm.

Abstract: A two-step method for dipping a synthetic fiber includes the fiber being first dipped with an aqueous pre-dip composition followed by a dip with resorcinol-formaldehyde latex (RFL) composition, wherein the pre-dip composition includes a blocked isocyanate having at least tri-functional isocyanate groups and a latex wherein the ratio by weight of blocked isocyanate and latex is in the range of 9 to 0.7, preferably in the range of 4 to 1. A pre-dip composition for dipping a synthetic fiber includes a blocked at least tri-functional isocyanate compound and a latex, further including water, an emulsifier, and 2-vinyl pyridine copolymer and to a fiber, cord, and composite article of rubber and fiber or cord, wherein the fiber or cord has distributed over at least a surface portion thereof (1) blocked tri-functional isocyanate compound, preferably HDI-trimer; (2) an RFL adhesive; and (3) an in situ vulcanized rubber compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-fibrous polymer solution essentially consisting of 1 to 8 wt. % para-aramid, at least 50 mole % of the aromatic moieties thereof being unsubstituted, in a mixture of a) a polar amide solvent selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N?-dimethyl-formamide, N,N?-dimethylacetamide, tetramethylurea, and mixtures thereof; b) between 0.7 mole of an alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride per mole amide groups of the para-aramid and 7.5 wt. % of the alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride, and c) water; and wherein at least 50 wt. % of the formed hydrochloric acid has been neutralized to obtain a solution having a dynamic viscosity which is at least a factor three smaller than the dynamic viscosity of the polymer solution without neutralization. The invention further pertains to a process making the same and para-aramid pulp-like fiber, paper and film made from said polymer solution.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an aramid filament yarn provided with a finish comprising >1.5 wt. % of an organic substance with a conductivity of >4 mS/cm, measured as a 50 wt. % finish composition in water at 20° C., having a specific electric resistance of the yarn <2.5.104 Ohm.cm, and to a method of making said yarn. Further, the invention pertains to the use of said finish for making conductive cables, particularly for making elevator cables.

Abstract: A process for producing a paper made essentially of a para-aromatic polyamide and having agglutinate portions, the process including subjecting to papermaking a composition comprising at least one member selected from the group of short fibers, staple fibers, pulp and polymer particles of a para-aromatic polyamide swollen with water, and then drying the resulting wet paper under pressure, preferably after removal of free water attached thereto. The para-aromatic polyamide paper obtained has heat resistance and stiffness and also has a high breaking length. This paper is thus useful as an insulating paper and can also be made useful as a material for composite materials by imparting other functions to the paper.

Abstract: A process for determining the polymer concentration in a spinning dope solution involves measuring the propagation velocity of ultrasonic sound in the solution. The process prevents fluctuations in the polymer concentration as much as possible, and is therefore highly suitable for application in the production of fibers with consistent properties. An ultrasonic device used in the process is easier to clean, install, and calibrate than other presently commercially available devices.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for determining the acidity of a washing solution for removing adhering acid or base from a fibre. The determination is carried out by using a combination of at least two different analytical methods, at least one of which is selected from the density, conductivity, ultrasonic sound, and refractive index measurements. The determination makes it possible to adjust the acidity of the washing solution in such a way that fibres with a minimum amount of adhering acid or base can be produced.