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: The present invention provides an improved fiber-reinforced article comprised of at least two plies. Each of the plies comprises (a) rubber and (b) cord made from melt-spinnable, non-metallic, multifilament fibers for which the cord has a twist multiplier of less than or equal to about 375, a stress at 1% strain greater than or equal to about 1.7 grams/denier, and an initial compressive modulus greater than or equal to about 7 grams/denier, and the at least two plies have a fiber orientation angle of greater than or equal to about 23°. The composite is useful as a tire belt in a passenger tire.

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.

Abstract: We have developed a process and product which provide thermoplastic articles featuring a permanent outer surface which has selectively varied chemical functionality while maintaining the inherent mechanical properties of the base fiber.

Abstract: We have developed a process and product which provide thermoplastic articles featuring a permanent outer surface which has selectively varied chemical functionality while maintaining the inherent mechanical properties of the base fiber.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: We have developed a process and product which provide thermoplastic articles featuring a permanent outer surface which has selectively varied chemical functionality while maintaining the inherent mechanical properties of the base fiber.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) anamorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorprhous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: There is provided a method of improving the properties of polyester monofilaments in respect to loop strength and resistance to fibrillation. The process contemplates treating an undrawn substantially noncrystalline extensible spun linear polyethylene terephthalate monofilament with a vapor medium such as steam and, while the monofilament is exposed to such vapor, drawing the monofilament at a draw ratio of from 1.5:1 to 4:1 and further drawing the monofilament in a subsequent drawing operation to an aggregate draw ratio of from 4:1 to 10:1.The process enables development of the maximum or a desired loop strength value for the particular monofilament being processed with optimization of specific drawing conditions such as the steam pressure within the indicated draw ratios. Thus, drawn monofilaments having loop strength values of at least 2.5 grams/denier are provided, and the drawn products are particularly useful as reinforcing elements in rubber bodies, e.g. tire cords.