Abstract: A customizable polyamide polymer, in particular Nylon 66, Nylon 6, and copolyamides, having a high molecular weight, excellent color, and low gel content is disclosed. In particular, disclosed is a polymer having a relative viscosity greater than 50 as measured in a 90% strength formic acid solution; consistent viscosity with a standard deviation of less than 1; a gel content no greater than 50 ppm as measured by insolubles larger than 10 micron; an optical defect content of less than 2,000 parts per million (ppm) as measured by optical control system (OCS). The polymer can be made into monofilaments or a multifilament yarn.

Abstract: A polymer, applications thereof, and method of making a nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which includes: providing a spinnable polyamide polymer composition comprising a solution of a polyamide in a suitable solvent, wherein the polyamide has a Relative Viscosity of from 30-300; a basis weight greater than 1 gm/m2, solution-spinning the polyamide polymer composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron (1000 nanometers); and forming the nanofibers into said nonwoven product which thereby has an average nanofiber diameter of less than 1 micron (1000 nanometers). Preferably, the nonwoven product is solution-spun from a process selected from (i) centrifugal spinning using a rotating spinneret or (ii) 2-phase propellant-gas spinning including extruding the polyamide polymer composition in liquid form with pressurized gas through a fiber-forming channel.

Abstract: A customizable polyamide polymer, in particular Nylon 66, Nylon 6, and copolyamides, having a high molecular weight, excellent color, and low gel content is disclosed. In particular, disclosed is a polymer having a relative viscosity greater than 50 as measured in a 90% strength formic acid solution; consistent viscosity with a standard deviation of less than 1; a gel content no greater than 50 ppm as measured by insolubles larger than 10 micron; an optical defect content of less than 2,000 parts per million (ppm) as measured by optical control system (OCS). The polymer can be made into monofilaments or a multifilament yarn. Also disclosed is a process of producing the polymer using in-line vacuum finishing technology in the absence of steam or other gases in the second, or post condensation, step of the polymer process.

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: 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: An elastomer blend is provided for dissipation of mechanical and sonic eny over a broad temperature range. This blend of elastomers comprises from about 60-95% by weight of polybutadiene having more than about 90% 1,2-microstructure and a molecular weight of at least 80,000, the balance being predominantly polyisoprene having at least about 70% cis-1,4-microstructure and a molecular weight of at least 120,000. The blend has a single glass transition ranging over at least sixty Centigrade degrees.