Abstract: The invention relates to nonwoven fabrics containing polymeric multiple component fibers which include a core component and a plurality of wing components attached to the core. The polymeric core component has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of at least one of the wing polymeric components. The fibers assume a spiral twist configuration in which the plurality of wings substantially spiral about the core. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabrics have elastic stretch and recovery properties with a textile-like hand.

Abstract: A diffuse reflective article is provided including a diffuse reflector of light positioned within a structure defining an optical cavity. The diffuse reflector is a nonwoven sheet containing a plurality of inter-fiber and intra-fiber pores of optimal light scattering dimension. Also provided is an optical display, including: (i) a structure defining an optical cavity; (ii) a light source positioned within the optical cavity; (iii) a display panel through which light from the light source passes; and (iv) a diffuse reflector positioned within the optical cavity for reflecting light from the light source toward the display panel, wherein the diffuse reflector is a nonwoven sheet containing a plurality of inter-fiber and intra-fiber pores of optimal light scattering dimension.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of synthetic fiber-forming polymer comprises the steps of generating a spin fluid and flash-spinning the spin fluid to form plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of the synthetic fiber-forming polymer. The spin fluid consists essentially of (a) 5 to 30 wt. % of a synthetic fiber-forming polymer, (b) a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons with 4 to 7 carbon atoms, and chlorinated, brominated and fluorinated compounds, and (c) a co-spin agent co-spin agent selected from the group consisting essentially of fluorinated organic compounds containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms and a double bond, and having an atmospheric boiling point of less than 100° C. The co-spin agent is present in the spin fluid in an amount sufficient to raise the cloud point pressure of the spin fluid by at least 50 pounds per square inch (345 kPa). A spin fluid used in the process of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A diffuse reflective article is provided including a diffuse reflector of light positioned within a structure defining an optical cavity. The diffuse reflector is a nonwoven sheet containing a plurality of inter-fiber and intra-fiber pores of optimal light scattering dimension. Also provided is an optical display, including: (i) a structure defining an optical cavity; (ii) a light source positioned within the optical cavity; (iii) a display panel through which light from the light source passes; and (iv) a diffuse reflector positioned within the optical cavity for reflecting light from the light source toward the display panel, wherein the diffuse reflector is a nonwoven sheet containing a plurality of inter-fiber and intra-fiber pores of optimal light scattering dimension.

Abstract: An azeotropic mixture of perfluorobutylethylene and at least one of the group consisting of bromochloromethane, cyclopentane, cis-1,2 dichloroethylene, trans-1,2 dichloroethylene and dichloromethane useful for cleaning agents, blowing agents and certain of which are suitable for flash spinning of polyolefins to make plexifilamentary fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new nonwoven material which has very high Frazier permeability while having substantial hydrostatic head liquid barrier properties. The material is comprised of fibers which are approximately one denier and finer fibers which have sufficient strength properties so as not to need a support scrim. The fabric is quite comfortable because of its breathability, quite soft because of its construction, and protective from liquids from rain to hazardous chemicals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nonwoven sheet material with high air permeability and substantial hydrostatic head liquid barrier properties. The sheet material is comprised of at least 90%, by weight, melt spun substantially continuous filament polymer fibers having an average cross sectional area of less than about 90 square microns. The sheet material has a basis weight of less than 125 g/m2 and a grab tensile strength of at least 0.7 N/(g/m2). The invention is also directed to a process for melt spinning polymer fibers that can be used to make the nonwoven sheet material of the invention.

Abstract: An azeotropic mixture of perfluorobutylethylene and at least one of the group consisting of bromochloromethane, cyclopentane, cis-1,2 dichloroethylene, trans-1,2 dichloroethylene and dichloromethane useful for cleaning agents, blowing agents and certain of which are suitable for flash spinning of polyolefins to make plexifilamentary fibers.

Abstract: A process for flash spinning polycyclopentene that has a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 to 100,000 and an end of melting range of 250 to 330 ° C. in a spin agent of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkanes, 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkanes and alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons and all having atmospheric boiling points less than 150 ° C.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary or foam products by flash spinning in selected spin agents a polymer from the group consisting of poly (1,3-propylene terephthalate), poly (1,4-butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), including their copolymers in which the spin agents have minimal or no ozone-depleting properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonwoven fabrics containing polymeric multiple component fibers which include a core component and a plurality of wing components attached to the core. The polymeric core component has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of at least one of the wing polymeric components. The fibers assume a spiral twist configuration in which the plurality of wings substantially spiral about the core. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabrics have elastic stretch and recovery properties with a textile-like hand.

Abstract: A process for preparing fibers, including: (a) providing a spinning mixture including a dispersion of a flashing agent and an excess of a carbonaceous pitch; and (b) passing the spinning mixture from a high pressure region through an orifice to a low pressure region to form polyfilamentary pitch fibers. The pitch fibers may optionally be further treated to form polyfilamentary carbon fibers or graphite fibers, which may be incorporated into a resin to form a lightweight, conductive composite.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary or foam products by flash spinning in selected spin agents a polymer from the group consisting of poly (1,3-propylene terephthalate), poly (1,4-butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), including their copolymers in which the spin agents have minimal or no ozone-depleting properties.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary or foam products by flash spinning in selected spin agents a polymer from the group consisting of poly (1,3-propylene terephthalate), poly (1,4-butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), including their copolymers in which the spin agents have minimal or no ozone-depleting properties.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary or foam products by flash spinning in selected spin agents a polymer from the group consisting of poly (1,3-propylene terephthalate), poly (1,4-butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), including their copolymers in which the spin agents have minimal or no ozone-depleting properties.

Abstract: The efficiency of electrostatic charging of polyolefin web in a process for flash-spinning polyolefin plexifilament from solution in a C4-C7 hydrocarbon, forming the plexifilament into a web, electrostatically charging the web, and laying the web down as a sheet is improved by having present in the electrostatic charging step environment a charge-improving compound, which can be any one of a number of specifically identified classes of charge-improving compounds. The charge improving compounds are present in an amount of at least 0.1 ppm of the atmosphere in that environment or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three dimensional batt comprising at least 70 vol. % randomly-oriented ultramicrocellular fibers mutually adhered with a thermoset adhesive binder.

Abstract: A process for flash spinning polymethylpentene alone or as a blend with polyethylene or polypropylene using various spin agents having essentially zero or very low ozone depletion potential.

Abstract: A spinning process using azeotropic compounds as spin agents having essentially zero ozone depletion potential and that are either non-flammable or of very low flammability.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary products by spinning from a spin fluid of a polyolefin dissolved in a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-2,2-difluoroethane and isomers thereof; 1,1,3-trichloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane and isomers thereof; 1,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane and isomers thereof; and 1,2-dichloro-1-fluoroethylene; and a co-spin agent; and also a spin fluid of a polyolefin dissolved in a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-2,2-difluoroethane and isomers thereof, 1,1,3-trichloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane and isomers thereof; 1,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane and isomers thereof; and 1,2-dichloro-l-fluoroethylene; and a co-spin agent.