Solution spinning process for the production of a textile fiber material with a permanent repellent action
A solution spinning process for the production of a textile fiber with permanent repellent action includes the steps of preparing a spinnable polymer component and an ambivalent polymer compound which contains a repelling group and a residual group with an affinity for the spinnable polymer component, mixing the ambivalent polymer compound with the spinnable polymer component in a solvent, and spinning the mixture into a fiber, wherein the repelling groups orient themselves in the direction of the surface of the forming fiber and migrate to the surface, while the affine residual groups anchor the ambivalent polymer compound in the spinnable polymer compound as the solvent is driven off.
This application is a continuation application of International application PCT/EP02/00318 filed Jan. 15, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the production of a textile fiber which has a permanent repellent action.
2. Description of the Related Art
Textile materials with repellent properties especially for the repulsion of oil, water, and dirt are known in the state of the art. Thus, EP 0 377 813 describes a canopy top material for motor vehicles, where, to achieve the desired repellent properties, the surface fabric is finished with a repellent agent, specifically in this case with a polymer based on fluoropolymers. Fluorine waxes for clothing textiles are also known; these can be in the form of impregnating sprays, which are sprayed onto the surface of the fibers. The disadvantage, however, is that these repellents wear off over the course of time, because they are not bound permanently to the surface of the fiber.
Known fluorocarbon systems with improved repellent properties are provided with resin groups (melamine resins, polyisocyanates), which can crosslink with themselves. This has the result that, after the fibers have been coated with these fluorocarbons, the fibers are enclosed by a network formed by the resin groups (see
U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,474, furthermore, describes a thermoplastic fiber, especially a polyolefin fiber, the production of which includes the introduction of fluorocarbon esters into the polyolefin melt before it is extruded into fiber. If their nature allows, these incorporated fluorocarbon esters can become concentrated at the surface, where they can exert their repelling effect. Because neither the fluorocarbon group nor the hydrocarbon group belonging to the ester forms a bond with the thermoplastic fiber, the repellent is therefore held by purely mechanical means in the fiber mass in this case also. A permanent repelling effect can therefore not be expected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe object of the present invention is to provide a production process for a textile fiber with which a permanent repelling action is achieved.
This object is accomplished by a process for the production of a textile fiber preparing a spinnable polymer component and an ambivalent polymer compound which contains a repelling group and a residual group with an affinity for the spinnable polymer component, mixing the ambivalent polymer compound with the spinnable polymer component in a solvent, and spinning the mixture into a fiber, wherein the repelling groups orient themselves in the direction of the surface of the forming fiber and migrate to the surface, while the affine residual groups anchor the ambivalent polymer compound in the spinnable polymer compound as the solvent is driven off.
The essential feature of the textile fiber produced according to the invention is the ambivalent polymer compound, which is composed of two different groups, namely, the repelling group and a residual group, which has an affinity for the fiber matrix.
In contrast to the known substantive systems described above, which are present on the surface of the fiber, the repelling group in this case is bonded to the fiber polymer by way of the affine residual group. It is therefore virtually impossible for the repellent group to be rubbed off, because it would by necessary for the affine residual group to be torn out of the fiber polymer structure at the same time. Additional advantages and features can be derived from the subclaims.
Fluorocarbon groups are preferred as the repellent groups, but silicone polymers could also be used.
The affine residual groups are groups which have a definite affinity for the fiber polymer. If, for example, a polyacrylonitrile fiber is to be produced, ambivalent polymer compounds with nitrile groups as the affine residual groups are preferred. When other fiber polymers are used (polyamides, polyacrylates, etc.), the affine residual groups for the ambivalent polymer compound would be selected in correspondence with the chemical structure of the fiber polymer.
A composition consisting of a spinnable polymer component and an ambivalent polymer compound, where the affine residual group of the ambivalent polymer compound has an affinity for the spinnable polymer component, can be used to produce textile fiber material such as monofilaments, multifilaments, fibers, yarns, or flat materials.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGIn the drawing:
Even if it is not completely clear from the figures, the fiber 6 has polymer groups 2.2 with repellent properties all the way around its circumference, that is, over its entire surface 5.
When we now compare this fiber according to the invention in
In the case of the fiber 6 according to the invention (
The compositions of polymer component and ambivalent polymer compound 2 used for the production of the textile fibers can contain other additives as appropriate for the area of application of the fibers. In the case of clothing textiles and material for the motor vehicle industry, furthermore, colored fibers are desired. In these cases, color pigments will be added to the compositions according to the invention. For other applications, admixtures of stabilizers, quenchers, slip agents, or ceramic or metallic reinforcing fibers are also conceivable.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. A solution spinning process for the production of a textile fiber with permanent repellent action, the process comprising the steps of:
- preparing a spinnable polymer component and an ambivalent polymer compound which contains a repelling group and a residual group with an affinity for the spinnable polymer component,
- mixing the ambivalent polymer compound with the spinnable polymer component in a solvent, and
- spinning the mixture into a fiber, wherein the repelling groups orient themselves in the direction of the surface of the forming fiber and migrate to the surface, while the affine residual groups anchor the ambivalent polymer compound in the spinnable polymer compound as the solvent is driven off, further comprising using the textile fiber for clothing textiles or industrial textiles.
8. The process according to claim 7, wherein the textiles are used for the motor vehicle industry.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 7, 2007
Inventor: Michael Eisele
Application Number: 11/650,097
International Classification: D01D 5/04 (20060101); D01F 6/18 (20060101); D01F 6/00 (20060101);