Abstract: Method for the preparation of cellulose sheet by extrusion of a heated solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine-oxide, which method includes using an extrusion die with an extrusion orifice, characterised in that, immediately below the extrusion orifice there is provided an inlet for cooling gas to cool the extruded sheet. The method according to the invention is especially suitable for the preparation of cellulose tubular films.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing an extruded cellulosic film which contains a uniform dispersion of hemp fibers by first adding the fibers to an amine oxide cellulose solvent to form a slurry, mixing the slurry with a molten aqueous solution of cellulose and amine oxide cellulose solvent extruding the mixture end then regenerating the dissolved cellulose.

Abstract: Crimped fibres of solvent-spun cellulose are made and checked for damage in a method in which:i) cellulose is dissolved in an amine oxide solvent to form a hot cellulose solution,ii) the hot cellulose solution is extruded through a die assembly to form a tow of continuous filaments,iii) the tow is passed through a water bath to leach out the amine oxideiv) the tow is crimped by passing through a stuffer box in which it is compressed to apply crimp,v) dry steam being injected into the stuffer box during the crimping process, andvi) the crimped tow leaving the stuffer box is passed through detection means in whichvii) a beam is projected across the path of travel of the tow and is received by receiving means on the opposite side of the tow, the receiving means being calibrated to initiate a signal if obscurement of the beam by the tow varies beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Staple fibres of solvent-spun cellulose are made by a method in which:i) cellulose is dissolved in an amine oxide solvent to form a hot cellulose solution,ii) the hot cellulose solution is extruded through a die assembly to form a tow of continuous filaments,iii) the tow is passed through a water bath to leach out the amine oxide,iv) the tow is crimped by passing through a stuffer box in which it is compressed to apply crimp,v) dry steam being injected into the stuffer box during the crimping process, andvi) the crimped tow is passed to a cutter and cut to the desired fibre length. An apparatus is also provided in which the staple fibres can be made.

Abstract: Multi-step methods of making a non-skinned isotropic microfiltration membrane, the common steps of which include heating a PVDF-type casting dope above its cloudpoint, forming a film, and immersing the film in a gelation bath.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high-tenacity polyethylene fiber containing an ethylene component as a main repeating unit, the fiber exhibiting an intrinsic viscosity [.eta..sub.B ] of at least 7 and having a tenacity of at least 30 g/d and an elastic modulus of at least 900 g/d; the peak value of loss tangent in the .gamma.-dispersion being 0.025 to 0.06 and the peak temperature of loss modulus in the .alpha.-dispersion being 85.degree. C. or higher, as determined by measurement of temperature dispersion of viscoelastic properties of the fiber. Also disclosed is a process of producing such a high-tenacity polyethylene fiber.

Abstract: A cellulose solution having excellent fluidity and formability is prepared by dissolving a cellulose composition containing a component (I) of cellulose having a polymerization degree of 500 to 1000, and a component (II) of at least one member selected from celluloses having a polymerization degree corresponding to 90% of that of the component (I) cellulose and being in the range of from 350 to 900, cellulose derivatives and polysaccharides, the mixing ratio of the component (I) to the component (II) being 95:5 to 50:50, in a mixed solvent comprising N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and another solvent material compatible with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide but not capable of dissolving cellulose therein, and the resultant cellulose solution being useful for producing shaped articles, for example, fibers and films.

Abstract: In a process for preparing polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole filaments by extruding a polybenzoxazole or polybenzothiazole dope, drawing the dope filament across an air gap, and coagulating the dope filament; the number of filament breaks can be reduced by placing a stress isolation device after extruding but before coagulating the filament.

Abstract: Regenerated cellulose fiber with a reduced tendency to fibrillation can be prepared by treating never-dried fiber with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a polymer having a plurality of cationic ionisable groups. Suitable polymers include those carrying imidazoline and azetidinium groups. The fiber may additionally be treated with an aqueous emulsion of an emulsifiable polymer.

Abstract: A process for preparing cellulose acetate articles such as fibers. The process includes the following steps: Cellulose acetate is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution, the solvent made up of from 5% to 50% by weight of carbon dioxide and from 95% to 50% of a compatible solvent such as acetone. The solvent is above the supercritical conditions of CO.sub.2. The solution is filtrated of insoluble matter and extended to form a fiber or similar article.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of elastic articles such as fibers, yarns, or films, from substantially pure selectively hydrogenated block copolymers, comprising at least two blocks predominantly derived from monoalkylene aromatic monomer and at least one block predominantly derived from one or more conjugated dienes and having a number average molecular weight of at least 70,000, comprising the steps of preparing a solution or a gel of said block copolymer with an apolar organic non-aromatic solvent and processing said solution or gel through a fiber forming orifice.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) separation membrane in which a PPS is treated with oxygen to increase its bulk viscosity to at least about 20,000 poise. The treated PPS is then dissolved in a solvent and cast or extruded, followed by a precipitation step.

Abstract: Continuous elongate members such as filaments are produced by forming a hot dope of cellulose, amine oxide and water, extruding the dope through a die assembly and precipitating the cellulose to form the bodies and maintaining the concentration of the dope at a predetermined value by monitoring the refractive index of the dope before it is extruded.

Abstract: A process for making gas separation membranes having enhanced selectivity for a mixture of gases is disclosed. The membranes may be asymmetric or multicomponent. The membranes surprisingly provide selectivity for gases in a mixture that approaches the relative selectivity of the single gas components. Preferably the membrane provides selectivity for a mixture of gases which is at least 65%, preferably 80%, of the relative selectivity of the corresponding single gases.

Abstract: High molecular weight polyester fibers having excellent mechanical strength and useful for various industrial materials, is produced by dry-jet wet spinning a dope solution of a polyester resin comprising repeating ethylene terephthalate units, having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.2 or more and dissolved in a phenolic solvent, through a spinneret, coagulating the resultant filamentary dope solution streams in a bath of coagulating liquid in which the phenolic solvent is soluble and the polyester resin is insoluble, while controlling the temperature of the coagulating liquid to a level of from (Tg-50.degree. C.) to (Tg+45.degree. C.) wherein Tg represents a glass transition temperature of the dope solution, and optionally subjecting the resultant undrawn polyester filaments to a rinsing step with a rinsing liquid, to a drawing step at a total draw ratio of at least 5, and to a heat-treating step.

Abstract: In a method for forming a cellulose tube suitable for use as a food casing, in which a solution of nonderivatized cellulose, tertiary amine N-oxide and water is extruded through a die gap and the extruded tube downwardly flowed through an air length while being internally cooled, and passed into a water bath, the tube transverse direction tensile strength is substantially increased by drawing the extruded tube through an air length of at least about six inches.

Abstract: This invention provides reinforced composite structures consisting essentially of a matrix and a dispersed phase, where the matrix is a hydrogel containing water and a solubilized vinyl alcohol homopolymer, the dispersed phase contains a plurality of uniformly distributed acicular regions consisting of fibrils formed from a highly oriented crystalline vinyl alcohol polymer, where the diameter of the said fibrils is less than 1 millimeter, the aspect ratio of the fibrils is from 2:1 to 1000:1, and where the composite is characterized by a gradual transition in the degree of crystallinity at the interfaces between the matrix and the fibrils.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing molded articles of cellulose, such as fibers films, which includes (a) providing an aqueous solution comprising cellulose in a tertiary amine N-oxide, (b) extruding jets of the aqueous solution through an extrusion die into a non-precipitating medium for cellulose, the extrusion die having nozzle passages the length L of which is in the range from 200 to 800 .mu.m and the capillary section of which has a length l in the range from 50 to 240 .mu.m and a ratio l/d of length l to its diameter d in the range from 0.5 to 2.0, the molecules of cellulose in the jets of solution being pre-orientated by the extrusion die through a shear force gradient in the nozzle passages, (c) additionally orientating the cellulose molecules by stretching the extruded jets of solution in said non-precipitating medium with a spinning stretch ratio V of linear velocity of the precipitated molded article to the linear velocity of the solution leaving the die in the range 0.

Abstract: Fibers spun from polybenzazole dopes can quickly be washed to remove polyphosphoric acid by a combination of initially washing with an acidic liquid and second washing with a hot leaching fluid at at least about 60. The process can reach acceptable residual phosphorous levels (1500-2000 ppm) in as little as about 2 or 3 minutes.

Abstract: An improved process for spinning aramids from solution using the air gap wet spinning method involves using a coagulant that contains 1 to 1000 ppm by weight of an organic polymer that acts as a drag reducer. Improved productivity and/or finer aramid fibers is obtained with no deterioration of fiber physical properties.

Abstract: Aramid and polybenzimidazole fibers and films of improved flame resistance are obtained by impregnation with tungsten hexachloride.

Abstract: An apparatus for making aromatic heterocyclic polymeric fibers having enhanced compressive strength is disclosed. Individual polymeric fibers, while being made according to otherwise conventional methods, are full twisted as they are drawn from a spinnerette hole so that their internal fibrils and microfibrils become entangled. The twisting is performed before coagulation of the fibers. The entangled fibrils and microfibrils are believed to provide mutual support to adjacent fibrils/microfibrils to resist buckling under compression.

Abstract: The concentration of a dope of cellulose/amine oxide/water for use in the manufacture of continuous filaments of cellulose is controlled by measuring its refractive index and adjusting the water content to maintain the refractive index within specified limits.

Abstract: A process for producing high tenacity and high modulus polyethylene fiber gel spinning. Cycloalkane and cycloalkene are selected as solvents for dissolving ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and a volatile solvent such as cyclohexanone or a mixture thereof is selected as an extracting solvent. The present process allows the extracted fibers to be stretched directly after the spinning step without requiring an intermediate winding step. The resulting fibers from the present invention have a tenacity greater than 15 g/d, a modulus greater than 350 g/d, an elongation at break less than 10%, and a crystallinity greater than 60%.

Abstract: A novel spinning apparatus is provided with a tubular coagulating liquid flow control valve body made of an elastomeric material and whose inner diameter is changeable according to external pressure. The valve body has a simple structure and is easy to retrofit to a conventional spinning apparatus. When dope is extruded, a mass of dope with gelled skin can pass easily and quickly through the opened valve body so that the spinning workability at the start of spinning is high. Further, since the coagulating liquid flows smoothly, the spinning speed can be increased without damaging the filaments.

Abstract: Fibers of linear polyethylene or polypropylene are solution spun, cooled, dried in hot air and hot drawn. Drying and hot drawing are carried out by passing a moving filament of the wet polymer through a hot air dryer having an air temperature of at least 55.degree. C., preferably at least 60.degree. C., then heating and hot drawing a moving filament of the dried fiber. Optional steps include wet drawing the fiber prior to drying, and solvent exchange of the original solvent, e.g. decalin, for a more volatile solvent.

Abstract: A cellulosic food casing formed by extruding a nonderivatized cellulose solution composed of cellulose pulp and an amine solvent into a seamless tube, contacting the inner and outer surfaces of the seamless tube with a nonsolvent liquid to precipitate a tube of nonderivatized cellulose and thereafter contacting the same with a water soluble softener. Apparatus for forming the food casing and a food casing of nonderivatized cellulose also are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel processes for preparing polypeptide solutions and spinning them into fibers. The process involves dissolving a polypeptide in a solvent system comprising lithium thiocyanate (LiSCN) and a liquefied phenol selected from the group consisting of phenol, m-chlorophenol, m-fluorophenol, and m-bromophenol or mixtures thereof. The solutions may be spun using certain wet spinning and dry-jet wet spinning methods. The process is especially useful for making silk fibroin fibers.

Abstract: A process is provided which allows economical production of polyolefin separation membranes having various structures, porosities and pore sizes. The process involves using a melt blend solution consisting of a polyolefin such as polypropylene or polyethylene and a diluent selected from the group consisting of natural soybean oil, pure linoleic acid, or a mixtures of oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process in which a fiber is formed by spinning a melt or solution of a polymer through a capillary spinneret having a length/diameter (L/D) ratio equal to or greater than about 25:1, and fibers formed by such method

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a microporous permselective membrane from a poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) polymer, an organic compound which substantially solubilizes the PPS below its melting point to form a homogenous mixture, heating the resulting mixture, extruding or casting the mixture into a membrane (fiber or film), quenching or coagulating the membrane, and leaching the membrane, while optionally drawing the membrane before, during, after leaching, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the solvent optionally includes an organic non-solvent to assist in obtaining the desired microporsity. The permselective polymers are useful to separate gaseous or liquid components from a mixture of components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing high elongation elastomers and highly oriented films and fibers from polymers having specific associative groups, such that the end groups on each macromolecule tend to associate with one another after the macromolecules are in a disentangled state, i.e., in the form of a semi-dilute solution. This association is of a force strong enough to prevent the macromolecular chains from slipping past one another and reentangling when the polymer is moderately heated or further concentrated in solution. The association may be manipulated, i.e., is reversible, under a change in parameter such as temperature, pH, polarity of the solvent medium and like parameters. The associated polymer macromolecules can be drawn as a gel from a semi-dilute solution into a highly aligned disentangled polymer to yield shaped articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of extracting a first spinning solvent such as mineral oil from a solution spun polymer fiber such as polyethylene through use of an extraction solvent such as dimethyl diethylene glycol and diethyl diethylene glycol in which the spinning solvent is soluble, which extracting solvent is soluble in a third extraction solvent such as water to a greater extent than the extraction solvent is soluble in the spinning solvent, such that the second extracting solvent can be extracted from a solution of said spinning solvent and said second extraction solvent by said third extracting solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a microporous membrane from an unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer by forming a mixture of an unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer, a low melting point crystallizable polymer, and a plasticizer, heating the resulting mixture, extruding or casting the mixture into a membrane, quenching or coagulating the membrane, and leaching the membrane, while optionally drawing the membrane before, during, after leaching, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to hollow elongate articles such as tubing and fibers formed from non-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol. The articles are prepared by extruding a solution of polyvinyl alcohol in the shape of the desired article into a coagulating bath concurrently with a stream of a non-solvent for the polymer. The stream occupies the area corresponding to the interior cavity of the article and prevents collapse of the cavity until the article has solidified in the coagulation bath.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removal of spinning solvents from solution spun fibers by extraction with an extraction solvent such as a polyether.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a microporous membrane from an unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer by forming a mixture of an unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer, an amorphous polymer, and a plasticizer, heating the resulting mixture, extruding or casting the mixture into a membrane, quenching or coagulating the membrane, and leaching the membrane, while optionally drawing the membrane before, during, and/or after leaching.

Abstract: Fibers of an alternating carbon monoxide-ethylene polymer having a molecular weight of at least 100,000 g/mole and a birefringence of at least 650.times.10.sup.-4 can be formed by first extruding a solution of the polymer in a mixed solvent system comprising an aromatic alcohol which is free of alkyl substituents on the aromatic nucleus and another solvent which is a liquid and is other than an aromatic alcohol. The extrusion into the solvent is at an extrusion rate of at least 1 m/min and forms a solvent-containing article which is then cooled or coagulated in a non-solvent for the polymer. The solvent is removed by extraction with a non-solvent for the polymer which is soluble in the mixture of solvents and the resulting article is drawn at a temperature of at least 180.degree. C.

Abstract: A pre-oriented molded article of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene is composed of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 5 dl/g, has a degree of orientation of at least 0.8, and has such a creep property that a stretched product of the molded article having a degree of orientation of about 0.97 shows an elongation of not more than 2% in an atmosphere at 80.degree. C. at 1000 seconds. The pre-oriented molded article is produced by (1) extruding a high-concentration molding solution composed of 15 to 80 parts by weight of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene and 85 to 20 parts by weight of a solvent capable of dissolving said polyethylene from a molding die at a temperature at which the molding solution remains a solution, (2) taking up the extrudate at a draft ratio of at least 3, and cooling the extrudate during or after take-up to crystallize the polyethylene in the extrudate and to form a pre-oriented molded article.

Abstract: Provided is a molecular composite comprising a rigid-rod aromatic heterocyclic polymer, a flexible, coil-like thermoplastic polymer and a thermosetting polymer.Also provided is a method for fabricating a molecular composite film or fiber which comprises the steps of forming a biphasic, stir opalescent solution of a rigid-rod aromatic heterocyclic polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer and a solvent which is common to the three polymers, adding solvent to the solution until the solution becomes isotropic and stir opalescence has ceased to determine the critical concentration of polymers in the solvent, adding additional solvent to the solution so that the polymer concentration is below the critical concentration, extruding the solution into a non-solvent for the polymers to form the desired film or fiber, drying the film or fiber and hot drawing the film or fiber at a temperature above the Tg of the thermoplastic, but below the polymerization temperature (Tpoly) of the thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A wet and dry jet wet spinning process produce one or a plurality of siliceous-containing fibers. At least a partial hydrolyzate is formed from silicon alkoxides and/or colloidal dispersions of hydrolyzable metal oxides through acid catalyzed hydrolysis in the presence of a solvent. The ratio of amounts of the water to silicon alkoxide or hydrous oxide is around 1.5 to 1 up to less than around 4 to 1. Both the hydrolysis and polymerization reactions produce an ungelled hydrolyzate with a viscosity in the range of 70 to greater than 1000 poise. This hydrolyzate is extruded through a spinnerette into a gaseous environment for dry jet wet spinning followed by contacting with a nonsolvent liquid or directly into a nonsolvent liquid for wet spinning. The contacting with the nonsolvent liquid is for effective coagulation to produce cohesive fiber that may have some stickiness. The fiber is removed from the nonsolvent liquid where the fiber's length is continuous from the spinnerette to removal.

Abstract: The invention is a crystalline fiber comprising syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture. Preferably the fiber is a high strength fiber isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene wherein the fiber is monoaxially oriented, has a tensile strength of about 10,000 psi or greater, and a modulus of about 1,000,000 psi or greater.In another aspect the invention is a process for the preparation of fibers of syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene which comprises:A. contacting syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of isotactic polystyrene and syndiotactic polystyrene with a solvent for the polystyrene at elevated temperatures under conditions such that a homogenous solution is formed which has sufficient viscosity to be extruded;B. extruding the solution through an orifice to form a fiber at elevated temperatures;C. quenching the fiber by passing the fiber through one or more zones under conditions such that the fiber solidifies;D.

Abstract: Novel gel-spun, irradiated and drawn ultra high strength high molecular weight and at least partially cross-linked and/or branched polyethylene filaments, tapes and films, exhibiting a combination of substantially lower creep rates, very high heat shrink characteristics and high abrasion resistance properties than corresponding but non-irradiated articles, and with a process for making the same.

Abstract: A process for preparing a slender or thin ceramic green body, which comprises discharging a raw material slurry comprising a ceramic powder raw material, a binder and a solvent from a discharge outlet in a slender or thin shape, and then contacting it with a solidifying liquid composed of a liquid in which the solvent is soluble and the ceramic powder raw material and the binder are insoluble or hardly soluble so that the solvent in the slurry is dissolved and removed to form the green body.

Abstract: A method of preparing a microporous membrane from unsulfonated poly(etheretherketone)-type polymers.

Abstract: A process for producing a high modulus, high tenacity polyethylene terephthalate filament which comprises (1) spinning a solution of polyethylene terephthalate in an organic solvent through a die to produce a solution spun filament, wherein the polyethylene terephthalate has an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 1.0 dl/g and wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of (a) hexafluoroisopropanol, (b) trifluoroacetic acid, (c) mixed solvent systems containing from about 20 weight percent to about 99 weight percent hexafluoroisopropanol and from about 1 weight percent to about 80 weight percent dichloromethane, and (d) mixed solvent systems containing from about 20 weight percent to about 99 weight percent trifluoroacetic acid and from about 1 to about 80 weight percent dichloromethane; and (2) subsequently drawing the solution spun filament to a total draw ratio of at least about 7:1 to product the high modulus, high tenacity polyethylene terephthalate filament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an article comprising a polymer itself comprising poly(etheretherketone), which process comprises:A. contacting poly(etheretherketone) with at least one organic compound, consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen, and optionally oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogen, or mixtures thereof having a molecular weight of between about 160 and 450 daltons and having at least one six membered aromatic ring structure, which compound is stable at a temperature of between 240.degree. and 400.degree. C. at ambient pressure, at a temperature of between about 240.degree. and 400.degree. C. at ambient pressure for a time effective to dissolve greater than about 10 percent by weight of the poly(etheretherketone) present;B. forming the solution of poly(etheretherketone) and solvent of step (A) into a desired article configuration;C. removing the solvent; andD. recovering the article comprising poly(etheretherketone) formed thereby.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thermoplastic fibers which comprises:(a) spinning a solution of an alternating copolymer of an olefinically unsaturated compound and carbon monoxide, having a number average molecular weight of at least 5000, to fibers through a spinning aperture, said solution having a polymer content in the range of from 0.1-50% m(b) submitting the thus obtained fibers to a solvent-removal treatment to remove substantially all the solvent, and(c) stretching the thus obtained substantially solvent-free fibers in an environment having a temperature between the glass-transition temperature of said polymer and (T+20).degree. C., when T is the crystalline melting point of the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the production of an article comprising a polymer itself comprising poly(phenylene sulfide), which process comprises:A. contacting poly(phenylene sulfide) with at least one organic compound, consisting essentially of carbon and hydrogen, and optionally oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogen, or mixtures thereof, having a molecular weight of between about 110 and 450 daltons and having at least one six membered aromatic ring structure, which compound is stable at a temperature of between 160.degree. and 400.degree. C. at ambient pressure, at a temperature of between about 160.degree. and 400.degree. C. at ambient pressure for a time effective to dissolve greater than 10 percent by weight of the poly(phenylene sulfide) present, with the proviso that when oxygen is present, the organic compound is not diphenyl oxide or substituted diphenyl oxide;B. forming the solution of poly(phenylene sulfide) and solvent of Step (A) into a desired article configuration;C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulosic food casing made from a nonderivatized cellulose and the various additives that can be incorporated onto or within the casing.