Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic styrenic resin composition comprises a styrenic copolymer comprising 15-100 parts by weight of a unit derived from a styrenic monomer (i-1), 0-45 parts by weight of a unit derived from a vinyl cyanide monomer (i-2), 0-40 parts by weight of a unit derived from a copolymerizable vinyl monomer (i-3) other than the above monomers, and 0.0005-1.0 parts by weight of a unit derived from a polyfunctional maleimide monomer, all based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of (i-1) to (i-3). The thermoplastic styrenic resin composition manufactured in the present invention is excellent in processability. The rubber modified thermoplastic styrenic resin composition of the present invention gives a good heat stability, impact strength, fluidity and other mechanical properties. In addition, it also gives a uniform wall thickness, and the gloss on the surface of injected products after painting process is excellent.

Abstract: A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cleansing bar having well-defined platelet striations therein which comprises extruding a cleansing bar composition having platelets therein to form a cleansing bar using an extruder having a perforated barrier across the cross section of the extruder, wherein the perforated barrier is located at a sufficient distance downstream from the spider to allow well-defined platelet striations to be observed in the finished cleansing bar with the human eye. The perforated barrier is located at a distance from the spider equal to at least about 60%, preferably at least about 70%, of the distance from the spider to the extruder cone outlet of the extruder. Generally, a standard extruder cone length from spider to cone outlet is about 483 mm to about 560 mm.

Abstract: A process for the production of catalyst coated membranes, especially catalyst coated membranes for use in fuel cells, that includes applying followed by drying of an electrocatalyst coating composition, a polymeric disopersion and a second electrocatalyst coating composition onto the surface of a temporary substrate, followed by separation of the temporary substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed, laminated pickup truck bed and bed liner includes the steps of forming by extrusion or another process a single or double layer substrate of a desired thickness and strength. If a single layer, it will preferably be formed of a thermoplastic material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). If a double layer, the lower layer may be HDPE or HDPE reinforced with random fibers or a fibrous material to improve its strength and ruggedness. Additionally, a cast or blow film upon which may be printed a desired pattern such as, for example, camouflage or indicia, is utilized as the top layer of the material. The two or three layers are laminated together either with or without the use of an adhesive and then formed into a bed or bed liner by a thermoforming process.

Abstract: A fabric having worsted yarn fabric-like hand and appearance and a satisfactory stretchability, is obtained by melt-spinning two types of polyesters, different in intrinsic viscosity from each other, to produce a conjugate multifilament yarn; winding-up the yarn at a speed of 1,000 to 4,500 m/min; unwinding the wound yarn; unevenly drawing the yarn at a draw ratio lower than a natural draw ratio thereof to produce a thick-and-thin yarn; forming a fabric from the yarn; and applying a mass reduction treatment with an alkali to the fabric with a mass reduction of 3 to 30 mass %, to cause a plurality of cracks extending in a direction crossing the filament axis to be formed on the peripheries of individual filaments of the yarn.

Abstract: A rubber composition having improved processability and which provides a vulcanized rubber exhibiting excellent wear resistance and good tensile strength to service temperatures of up to about 150° C. The composition comprises (1) a crosslinked polymer particle having as repeat units (a) up to about 25% of a conjugated diene unit, (b) at least 70% of an aromatic vinyl unit, (c) about 15% to about 30% of a crosslinking monomer, and (d) about 0.

Abstract: Thermally divisible multicomponent fibers (4) having at least a first component including an elastomeric polymer (6) and at least a second component including a non-elastomeric polymer (8). The multicomponent fibers are useful in the manufacture of nonwoven structures, and in particular nonwoven structures used as synthetic suede and filtration media.

Abstract: The invention relates to laminated parts comprising outer layers and polyurethane sandwich materials, and to a method of producing these laminated parts and to their use in the automotive industry.

Abstract: A paper feed roller-producing method is to be provided, which enables more inexpensive mass produce of a high precision paper feed roller, with a high precision, having no connecting portion in a roller portion, by using a hydraulic composition. The method for producing a paper feed roller includes a rotary shaft and a cylindrical roller portion integrated around an outer periphery of the rotary shaft, characterized in that the roller portion is formed by extruding a hydraulic composition and curing and hardening the extrudate.

Abstract: Plastic panels for exterior use on buildings are made by forming a plastic sheet at an elevated temperature, overlaying an exterior surface portion of the formed sheet with a coloring sheet having a preselected color, and thermally bonding the coloring sheet to the formed sheet. The coloring sheet preferably comprises a vinyl resin plastisol and pigment particles. Both the formed sheet and the vinyl resin in the plastisol preferably comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Use of the coloring sheet enables color changes to be accomplished quickly and inexpensively so that manufacturers are able to maintain smaller inventories of the finished product while still satisfying customer needs.

Abstract: The apparatus is for forming a resin film from a resin for a middle portion to form a resin film main body of the resin film and a resin for edge portions to form both side edge portions in a crosswise direction of the resin film. The apparatus comprises: a feed block which includes a joining part where the resin for the middle portion in a molten state and the resin for the edge portions in a molten state are joined in such a manner as to enclose both side edges in the crosswise direction of the resin film main body with the resin for the edge portions; and an extruding die through which the joined resins are extruded to form the resin film. Thus, a method and apparatus for forming the resin film can avoid the inclusion of the resin for the middle portion in the trimmed-off selvages while preventing the film separation of the resins for the middle portion and for the edge portions, and therefore, increase the recyclability and the productivity of the resin film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of and a mold for arranging features on a substrate to replicate the features with minimal dimensional variability. The method includes arranging features on a layer to minimize thickness variations in the layer that are attributable to density variations of the plurality of features on the layer. The features are transferred into an underlying substrate. It is believed that by forming the features so as to define a uniform fill factor in the layer, the thickness variations may be reduced, if not abrogated. To that end, one method in accordance with the present invention includes forming a flowable material on the substrate. Thereafter, a plurality of features is formed in a region of the flowable material. The plurality of features are arranged to provide a substantially uniform fill factor in the region.

Abstract: A method for the production of a multifilament carbon fibre-based longitudinal reinforcing element, designed to be incorporated in a rubber-based item. Said method comprises the following steps, whereby untwisted carbon fibres are plunged into an impregnating bath contained a solution of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and rubber latex, the impregnated fibres are then dried and the dried fibres are subsequently twisted. The inventive method is characterised by the fact that it also comprises a step, during the impregnation step, consisting in opening out the carbon fibres by spreading out the constituent filaments thereof in such a way that each fibre has an increased surface area on which the impregnation can be performed.

Abstract: A method of forming 3-dimensional fibers into a web is disclosed. The method includes the steps of co-extruding a first component and a second component. The first component has a recovery percentage R1 and the second component has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2 The first and second components are directed through a spin pack to form a plurality of continuous, molten fibers. The molten fibers are then routed through a quenching chamber to form a plurality of continuous cooled fibers. The cooled fibers are then routed through a drawing unit to form a plurality of continuous, solid linear fibers. Each of the solid fibers is then stretched by at least 50 percent before it is allowed to relax. The relaxation step forms the linear fibers into a plurality of continuous 3-dimensional fibers each having a coiled configuration over at least a portion of its length. The continuous 3-dimensional, coiled fibers are then deposited onto a moving support to form a web.

Abstract: A flexible, vapor permeable, liquid impermeable composite fabric comprising a ultraviolet light stabilized and thermally stabilized microporous-formable polyolefin barrier layer extrusion laminated to an ultra-violet light stabilized and thermally stabilized polyolefin nonwoven fabric, the composite of which has been incrementally stretched to induce sufficient moisture vapor transmission characteristics while maintaining adequate resistance to water penetration, and methods of making the composite. This composite may be further laminated to one or more layers of either woven or nonwoven materials offering strength and environmental resistance characteristics sufficient for various outdoor applications including covers and building construction products. Embodiments of the above mentioned components have been shown to offer improved liquid resistance, environmental stability, and abrasion resistance as compared to existing commercially available materials.

Abstract: A method for producing a pleated filter material from a nonwoven fabric having spacers for the pleated folds formed from the filter material itself, a formed fabric made of stretched synthetic fibers and thermoplastic and/or thermally cross-linked binding agent being heated in an oven to a temperature lying at least in the softening temperature range and/or the cross-linking temperature range of the binding agent, and subsequently, the formed fabric being formed between profiled calender rolls and cooled simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic sheet includes extruding a composition including a melt polycarbonate resin having a Fries content of about 10 ppm to about 2000 ppm. The composition enables the sheet to be extruded with excellent uniformity.

Abstract: An acrylic resin film made from a composition having 95 to 50 wt. parts of an acrylic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60 to 110° C. and a weight average molecular weight of 70,000 to 600,000, and 5 to 50 wt. parts of a multilayer-structured acrylic polymer containing an elastomeric layer, and a multilayer film having the above acrylic resin film and other resin film. These films have better thickness accuracy, surface smoothness and surface hardness than conventional acrylic resin films, with excellent properties as films for use in simultaneous injection molding and lamination, agricultural films, display films, masking films, paint-substitute films, and the like.

Abstract: A process for making a multiphase polymeric film having a lamellar structure with controlled permeability and/or controlled mechanical properties, comprising the steps of: preparing a molten blend made of a first polymer phase dispersed in a second polymer phase which is a matrix polymer phase incompatible with the said first phase and of a compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of DEM, MAH, DEM-g-SEBS, MAH-g-SEBS, DEM-g-PP and MAH-g-PP; extruding the molten blend through a flat die provided with an exit and stretching the so extruded blend downwards said exit at a preselected stretching ratio to produce the said multiphase polymeric film, and solidifying the extruded film sufficiently rapidly to preserve the lamellar structure and the multiphase polymeric films thereby obtained. Granules with a lamellar structure are obtained by grinding the so obtained multiphase polymeric film and are useful for preparing shaped articles with improved physical properties.

Abstract: A flexible structure comprises a plurality of starch filaments. The structure comprises at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property selected from the group consisting of density, basis weight, elevation, opacity, crepe frequency, and any combination thereof. The common intensive property of the first region differs in value from the common intensive property of the second region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a splittable multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct non-occlusive segments across the cross-section of the fiber, wherein the segments are continuous along the length of the fiber, and wherein at least one of the polymer components comprises about 10 percent to about 95 percent by weight of filler material. The invention also provides split fibers, and fabrics containing the split fibers produced from the splittable multicomponent fiber, and laminates containing the split fiber fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the split fibers and fabrics.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an animal chew toy includes providing a rubber material, such as tire rubber, and then forming the rubber material into a predetermined chew toy configuration, such as a tire. Preferably, a scent is added to the rubber material. Synthetic fibers, such as nylon or polyester fibers, are embedded in the rubber material.

Abstract: Carbon-silicon carbide brake preforms are manufactured by carbonizing a blend of carbon (e.g., polyacrylonitrile) fibers and thermosetting pitch resin, optionally along with a lubricant such as graphite, to provide an intermediate product having open porosity and subsequently filling the pores of the intermediate product with silicon by a melt infiltration process. Molded articles that consist principally of carbon, that have relatively high strength and resistance to decomposition by frictional heat, and that are suitable for melt infiltration with silicon, are produced by, e.g.

Abstract: A method for controlling the width of a polyester film support comprising, in order, the steps of: (a) extruding a polyester resin using one or more extruders; (b) casting the resin on a casting wheel to form a polyester sheet; (c) stretching the polyester sheet along the machine direction by ratios of 3 to 5 times at temperatures ranging from above the glass transition temperature to below the thermal crystallization temperature, wherein the machine contains extended edge rollers (14) in the drafter at the point where stretching occurs; (d) stretching the polyester sheet along the transverse direction by ratios of 3 to 5 times at temperatures ranging from above the glass transition temperature to below the thermal crystallization temperature; and (e) heat setting the polyester sheet at temperatures ranging from 180 to 250° C.

Abstract: A bulky sheet material having three-dimensional protrusions comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer provided on at least one side of the first fiber layer. The first fiber layer contains thermally shrunken heat-shrinkable fibers. The second fiber layer comprises heat non-shrinkable fibers. The first fiber layer and the second fiber layer are partly joined together at a large number of joints formed by fusion bonding. The joints are formed by melting and solidification of a heat fusible resin having a higher melting point than the shrinkage starting temperature of the heat shrinkable fiber. The second fiber layer forms a large number of protrusions between the joints by the heat shrinkage of the first fiber layer while leaving the joints as depressions.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a fiber reinforced composite member includes the steps of: forming a fabric 1 on the surface of a mandrel 10, infiltrating the formed fabric with matrix, and leaving portions 12a, 12b of the mandrel as integral with the fabric and removing the mandrel before the fabric adheres to the mandrel by matrix infiltration. Subsequently, a remaining portion of the mandrel is used as a reference surface and machining is performed. Without possibility of adhesion to the mandrel and resulting breakage, machining bases (axial center and reference surface) during machining can accurately be provided, and this can largely enhance machining precision and yield of the final product.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of producing a thin, oriented layer of polymer material. The material is preferably produced by the method of introducing a shearing flow to a free surface in a predominantly monomeric solution of the self-assembling polymer sub-units, and inducing polymerization or growth of the monomer while in this shearing flow. The system for forming the oriented layer of material provides relative movement between a delivery system and the substrate on or over which the material is deposited. The rate of flow of the material from the delivery system and the relative velocity between the deposition surface and the material as it is delivered to the surface are controlled to properly orient the material at the desired thickness. These rates can be adjusted to vary the properties of the film in a controlled manner. Preferred embodiments include either angular or linear relative movement between the delivery system and the substrate.

Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided, formed from a multiplicity of substantially continuous bicomponent filaments randomly arranged and bonded to one another. The bicomponent filaments have a multilobal cross-sectional configuration including a first polymer component formed of a higher-melting composition occupying at least the central portion of the filament cross-section and a second polymer component formed of a lower-melting composition being present in at least one lobe of the multilobal cross-section.

Abstract: Methods and materials used to make detailed cast objects are disclosed. The cast objects are formed in mold created from a photosensitive laminate. The mold is formed by selectively removing portions of the photosensitive laminate. The invention is particularly well suited to make thin molded articles, but can also be used to make thicker molded articles by using multiple photosensitive layers or laminates.

Abstract: A polyester resin, a method for its preparation, the polyester prepared by the method, a method for manufacturing therefrom at increased productivity a dimensionally stable polyester yarn having a low fray count, and the yarn thereby produced. The polyester resin is prepared from high purity terephthalic acid having a particle size distribution described by a Weibull function with narrow ranges of characteristic size and shape factor. The polyester resin has a low filter-blinding index. The polyester yarn is useful for tires, industrial products and other applications.

Abstract: A method of producing a breathable film which comprises the steps of: (a) producing an inorganic filler by treating particles of an inorganic particulate material comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate compound by reaction with a hydrophobising surface treatment agent comprising one or more aliphatic carboxylic acids having at least 10 chain carbon atoms to produce a hydrophobic coating on the particles under conditions such that the inorganic filler produced has a total surface moisture level comprising moisture adsorbed on the particles and trapped within the hydrophobic coating thereon of not greater than 0.1% by weight based on the dry weight of the inorganic particulate material; (b) producing a filled thermoplastic composition by mixing the inorganic filler produced in step (a) with a heated thermoplastic polymer; and (c) shaping the composition produced in step (b) by heat processing to form a film product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single- or multilayer films and one or more layers comprising at least one polyolefin molding composition containing at least one polyolefin derived from at least one olefin having at least 2 carbon atoms, of the formula Ra—CH═CH—Rb, in which Ra and Rb are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched C1-C15-alkyl radical, or Ra and Rb, together with the atoms connecting them, form a ring or ring system, and the polyolefin has been prepared by means of metallocene catalysts. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of films and layers in which a polyolefin molding composition having a particle size of from 20 &mgr;m to 5000 &mgr;m is used or prepared. The shaped polyolefin molding composition is melt-mixed with at least one additive and shaped. The melt-mixed and shaped material is melted at a temperature of from 150° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for making a nonwoven sheet of substantially continuous melt spun fibers by extruding melt spinnable polymer containing at least 30% by weight low IV poly(ethylene terephthalate), drawing the extruded fiber filaments at a rate of at least 6000 m/min, laying the fiber filaments down on a collection surface, and bonding the fiber filaments together to form a nonwoven sheet. The invention further provides a nonwoven sheet comprised of at least 30% by weight poly(ethylene terephthalate) having an intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.62 dl/g, where the sheet has a basis weight of less than 125 g/m2, and a grab tensile strength of at least 0.7 N/(g/m2).

Abstract: A fastening component of a separable fastener is molded out of two separate flows of resin joined under pressure in a nip as the fastening elements are molded in cavities of a cavity roller. The joined flows of resin travel about the cavity roller while being cooled, and are then passed about a stripping roller to pull the formed fastener strip from the cavity roller.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment filter is provided with localized and efficient heating for regeneration. Electrical and/or thermal conductors are wound with filter media sheets into a filter roll and/or conductors are provided at axial ends of the filter roll and/or microwave radiation is used for localized hot zone heating. Regeneration is provided at lateral slices of the filter roll lying in a plane extending transversely and radially relative to the filter roll axis.

Abstract: A process for forming multiple component meltblown webs in which a poor-spinning polymer is co-spun with a good-spinning polymer in a meltblowing process using high throughput and short die-to-collector distances.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric includes a stretched unidirectionally aligned nonwoven fabric in which filaments composed of a thermoplastic resin are unidirectionally aligned and stretched and a dry nonwoven fabric that is provided on one side of the stretched unidirectionally aligned nonwoven fabric and that includes thermal-bonding fibers as a chief component. The filaments of the stretched unidirectionally aligned nonwoven fabric and the dry nonwoven fabric are intertwined by a needlepunch process, following which the two fabrics are unified by a thermal calendering process to produce the composite nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric useful as a topsheet is produced from polypropylene filaments including a high level of reclaimed polypropylene, while maintaining a product quality, including superior formation, comparable to that obtained when using 100 percent virgin polymer. The spunbond nonwoven fabric is made with multicomponent filaments having at least two different polymer components occupying different areas within the filament cross section, and wherein one of the polymer components comprises reclaimed polypropylene recovered from previously spun polypropylene fiber or webs comprised of previously spun polypropylene fiber. In a specific embodiment, the filaments are sheath-core bicomponent filaments and the reclaimed polypropylene is present in the core component. The core of the bicomponent filament can be comprised of up to 100% reclaimed polypropylene.

Abstract: Provided is an artificial stone molded product in which protrusions or embedded grooves for a figure or a pattern are provided integrally on or in a flat surface of a substrate, and a main composition comprises an aggregate of an inorganic material and a resin, characterized in that at least a part of the above-mentioned protrusions or embedded grooves are luminous or fluorescent, light-emitting portions which contain a luminous or fluorescent material having a luminescence or a luminousness accompanied by ultraviolet absorption and an aggregate of a transparent inorganic material, or an aggregate of a transparent inorganic material having a surface baked with the above-mentioned luminous or fluorescent material as at least a part of the aggregate of the inorganic material.

Abstract: Providing a narrow strip of electrically conductive rubber extending from a lower undertread layer to the surface of the tread by positioning a slotted chimney block in an outer tread rubber passage of a tire tread die and having the chimney block passage in communication with a lower undertread passage of the tire tread die.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high quality composite materials from fibrous materials, in which the composite incorporates a polymer matrix embedding individual fibers. The matrix is derived from polymer particles which penetrate into a strand and substantially fill gaps between individual fibers. Such penetration can occur by exposing the strand to a stable emulsion of the polymer particles. The invention also relates to novel composite structures which incorporation of various types of fibrous segments. These composite structures allow the use of inexpensive and readily available scrap materials. The composites of the present invention are lightweight materials displaying enhanced strength and durability.

Abstract: Bulk yarns having improved elasticity and recovery and methods for their manufacture are described. A first embodiment of the invention involves providing a solution-dyed multifilament yarn of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and a multifilament yarn of a second thermoplastic polymer to an air jet texturizer such that the PBT component forms a core and the other yarn forms a plurality of loops and coils extending outwardly from the core. In addition to a high degree of elasticity and recovery, the composite yarn also has a low amount of shrinkage, which enables the yarns to be used in the production of woven fabrics without significant losses in fabric yield. Another embodiment of the invention involves false twisting a multifilament PBT yarn and a second multifilament yarn as individual threadlines to impart crimp thereto, then entangling the two components together using an air interlacing jet, to produce a bulk yarn having high elasticity and recovery.

Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus includes fiber producing features to produce multi-component filaments by extruding two or more single-component strands that combine after extrusion and are then attenuated by process air. The two or more liquid materials do not contact one another in the spinpack. Separation of the two types of liquid material throughout the spinpack prevents premature leakage between two liquid materials and allows for an optimized temperature for each type of liquid material for proper extrusion.

Abstract: Fibrous monolith processing techniques to fabricate multifunctional structures capable of performing more than one discrete function such as structures capable of bearing structural loads and mechanical stresses in service and also capable of performing at least one additional non-structural function.

Abstract: A composition containing thermoplastic elastomer and elastic fine particles is extruded into a sheet-like shape from an extruder. Then, by expanding this sheet-like shape member, a covering sheet having minute unevenness attributable to the elastic fine particles formed on the surface is produced. The covering sheet may have an adhesive layer, a substrate layer, a foamed resin layer, etc., on the opposite side to the surface having a matt feeling. Such covering sheet can be produced with good productivity without creating environmental problems such as a problem related to solvent, etc. By molding using the covering sheet, a molding having matt feeling can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gelatinous elastomer article comprising a series of steps. The steps include selecting a plasticizer, selecting a triblock copolymer of the general configuration A-B-A, mixing the plasticizer and triblock copolymer such as by melt blending or use of a compounding screw in order to produce a gelatinous elastomer, permitting the gelatinous elastomer to cool, selecting a forming device such as a die or mold, melting the gelatinous elastorner, and forcing the gelatinous elastomer into the forming device in order to form a gelatinous elastomer part.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and process for drying and extruding a cellulosic compound. The compound materials are provided to a mixer in a desired ratio. The compound materials are then mixed together. Thereafter, the compound materials can be stored in a non-controlled environment until needed. When it is time to extrude the compound materials, the compound materials are transferred to a dryer at a location remote from the mixer. The dryer has a surface area enabling the compound materials to be sufficiently spread out for drying. The compound materials are substantially uniformly dried to a desired level in the dryer. The compound materials are then transferred to an extruder to be formed into a final net shape.

Abstract: A process of forming a nonwoven fabric is disclosed which comprises the steps of forming a precursor web of multicomponent substantially continuous filaments, exposing the precursor web to a hydraulic arrangement treatment to form apertures without causing substantial filament entanglement, and thereafter forming inter-filament bonds and an integrated web. The resulting apertured nonwoven fabrics have good hand and tactile aesthetics and have a great variety of uses including use in absorbent personal care products, garments, medical applications, and cleaning applications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing multi-segmented filaments are provided. In one embodiment a first polymer material is passed into a die, the first polymer material and the die being maintained under predetermined rheological conditions. Next, the first polymer material is extruded through a plurality of die openings in the die, the die openings arranged in a group, the group configured to form at least two elementary filaments. Then, the two elementary filaments are connected to one another by adhesion contact to form a multi-segmented filament. In another embodiment a die for producing multi-segmented filaments is provided. This die comprises a polymer source maintaining a polymer under predetermined rheological conditions.