Abstract: Aramid fabrics treated with N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone prior to or simultaneously with aqueous print pastes promote fabric printability and produces good coloration. Saturated steam or superheated steam at a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. permeates and fixes the dye inside of the aramid fibers. Print pastes containing N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, dye and thickener are also described.

Abstract: Poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fabrics are printed and optionally flame retarded in a two-step process in which the dye diffusion promoting agent N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone optionally with a flame retardant is applied following by printing and print fixation.

Abstract: Aramid and aramid-blend fabrics are dyed or flame-retardant treated or both dyed and flame-retardant treated using conventional heat dyeing equipment. Octylpyrrolidones, tributyl phosphine oxide and mixtures of N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone with available dye carriers are used as diffusion-promoting agents for dyes, flame retardant agents or both. Odor-free, flame resistant, colored or colored and highly flame resistant products result.

Abstract: Poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fabrics containing N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone on them are printed with a print paste. Print pastes containing N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone are also described.

Abstract: Breaking and/or test strength of aramid fabrics are enhanced when finished with a fabric softener. Improvements of up to 50% over the corresponding untreated greige fabrics and up to 45% over the corresponding untreated dyed fabric are achieved without detracting from flame resistance of these fabrics.

Abstract: The flame-resistant properties of aramid fibers are improved using a swelling agent to introduce a flame retardant into the fiber. The treated fiber has properties of strength approximating the untreated fiber, flame resistance greater than the untreated fiber and is conveniently dyed to an unlimited range of colors with high color yield. An aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution is used as the swelling agent.

Abstract: Simultaneous dyeing and flame-resistant property improvement of poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers using a swelling agent to introduce a dye and a fire retardant into the fiber. The dyed fiber has properties of strength approximating the original undyed fiber, fire retardance greater than the untreated fiber and is conveniently dyed to an unlimited range of colors with high color yield and relatively good lightfastness at a reasonable cost. An aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution is used as the swelling agent.

Abstract: A disposable shoe heel protector device is removably affixed to the back of a shoe in an area to cover and protect the rearward part of the shoe that makes sliding contact with the floorboard of an automobile while driving. The protector is made in an oblated configuration and therefore has a long and a short dimension. The protector comprises a flexible main support in the form of an eliptical cutout from a sheet of thin flexible plastic material. The support has an inside surface opposed to an outside surface. Adhesive material coats the inside surface at the opposed marginal ends of the support. A cushion in the form of a thin piece of foam material is attached to the medial inside surface of the support and extends from the adhesive on one side to the adhesive on the opposed side, thereby leaving the centrally located foam material which bears against the shoe surface with the adhesive being located at the opposed ends of the support.

Abstract: Aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers or blends of aramid and polybenzimidazole fibers are rendered flame resistant by a flame retardant introduced into the fibers by a polar organic swelling agent such as DMSO. Dyed or undyed fibers so treated exhibit substantially improved flame resistance as compared with untreated fibers.

Abstract: The flame-resistant properties of aramid fibers are improved using a swelling agent to introduce a flame retardant into the fiber. The treated fiber has properties of strength approximating the untreated fiber, flame resistance greater than the untreated fiber and is conveniently dyed to an unlimited range of colors with high color yield. An aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution is used as the swelling agent.

Abstract: Continuous dyeing of poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers using a swelling agent to introduce a dye into the fiber. The dyed fiber has properties of strength and fire retardance approximating the original undyed fiber and is conveniently dyed to an unlimited range of colors with high color yield and relatively good lightfastness at a resonable cost. An aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution is used as the swelling agent.