Abstract: Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

Abstract: A fine denier poly(trimethylene arylate) spun drawn fiber is characterized by high denier uniformity. A process for preparing uniform fine denier yarns at spinning speeds of 4000 to 6000 m/min is further disclosed. The poly(trimethylene arylate) fiber hereof comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight of polystyrene dispersed therewithin. Fabrics prepared therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous fastener element including: a coupling head; upper and lower leg portions; and a connecting portion wherein surfaces of the coupling head, the leg portions, and the connecting portion are each formed as a rough surface with a plurality of recesses. Furthermore, a head surface of the coupling head of the continuous fastener element is formed to have an average roughness Ra smaller than that of outer peripheral surfaces of the leg portions. Accordingly, gloss and luster of the continuous fastener element may be easily reduced or removed. Furthermore, when the slide fastener is formed, the resistance between the coupling heads of the left and right continuous fastener elements may be made small and the left and right element rows may smoothly engage with each other or disengage from each other.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for producing nanofibers and non-woven nanofibrous materials from polymer melts, liquids and particles using a two-phase flow nozzle. The process comprises supplying a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas stream to a two-phase flow nozzle; injecting the polymer melt and the pressurized gas stream into a mixing chamber within the two-phase flow nozzle wherein the mixing chamber combines the polymer flow and pressurized gas into a two-phase flow; distributing the two-phase flow uniformly to a converging channel terminating into an channel exit wherein the converging channel accelerates the two-phase flow creating a polymeric film along the surface of the converging channel and fibrillating the polymeric film at the channel exit of the converging channel in the form of a plurality of nanofibers.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of processing a polymer comprises: mixing polymer and solid carbon dioxide; introducing the polymer and solid carbon dioxide mixture to a hopper of a vented extruder; plasticizing the mixture to form a polymer melt with dissolved carbon dioxide; venting carbon dioxide as a gas before the die exit; and extruding the polymer melt through a die. In an embodiment, a method of making an article comprises: introducing a polymer powder to an extruder; introducing solid carbon dioxide powder to the extruder at the hopper; plasticizing and extruding the polymer and solid carbon dioxide mixture; venting the solid carbon dioxide before the die exit; extruding the polymer melt through a die to form pellets; and injection molding the polymer pellets without solid carbon dioxide to form molded articles.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a polypropylene fiber (PP fiber) excellent in strength, heat resistance, and water-absorption properties, a method of producing the same, and a hydraulic composition, a rope, a sheet-shaped fiber structure, and a composite material with an organic polymer each using the PP fiber. The present invention provides: a PP fiber having a fiber having a fiber strength of 7 cN/dtex or more and having either or both of (i) DSC properties such that the endothermic peak shape by DSC is a single shape having a half width of 10° C. or lower and the melt enthalpy change (AH) is 125 J/ g and (ii) irregular properties such that the single fiber fineness is 0.i to 3 dtex and irregularities are formed on the surface.

Abstract: A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution blow spinning method for the production of nonwoven webs of micro and nanofibers.

Abstract: A method (400) of manufacturing a wound dressing is disclosed that includes obtaining alginate fibers (108) and the step (404) of spraying either the alginate fibers (108) or a dressing or dressing layer (610) of the alginate fibers with an aqueous solution (801) comprising a polysaccharide, which can be carboxymethylcellulose. The step of spraying can occur while the alginate fibers, dressing, or dressing layer are wet. A step (405) of flash drying can follow to remove the solute of the aqueous solution to leave the polysaccharide along the alginate. The step of spraying can be selective, such that only portions of the dressing layer include the polysaccharide.

Abstract: Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.

Abstract: A colored high strength polyethylene fiber, preparation method and use thereof are provided, which are in the high molecular material field. The surface of said high strength polyethylene fiber is chromatic, grey or black. The strength of said high strength polyethylene fiber is 15-50 g/d, its modulus is 400-2000 g/d. The product of the present invention is colored, so it can be well applied to civil and military field. The preparation method of present invention has some advantages that technological process is simple, production efficiency is high, cost of production is low, performance of made fiber is excellent, and use-cost is reduced, compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more nanofibers includes providing (a) a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent, (b) a nozzle for ejecting the solution, and (c) a stationary collector disposed a distance d apart from the nozzle. A voltage is applied between the nozzle and the stationary collector, and a jet of the solution is ejected from the nozzle toward the stationary collector. An electric field intensity of between about 0.5 and about 2.0 kV/cm is maintained, where the electric field intensity is defined as a ratio of the voltage to the distance d. At least a portion of the solvent from the stream is evaporated, and one or more polymer nanofibers are deposited on the stationary collector as the stream impinges thereupon. Each polymer nanofiber has an average diameter of about 500 nm or less and may serve as a precursor for carbon fiber production.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile fiber includes a spinning process in which a spinning dope including polyacrylonitrile is spun; a first drawing process; a drying process; and a second hot drawing process in this order.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester yarn that can be used in a fabric for an airbag. In particular, a polyester yarn having a diethylene glycol content of 1.1 to 2.5 wt % and initial modulus of 100 g/d or less, a production method thereof, and a fabric for an airbag produced therefrom are disclosed. The polyester yarn has excellent moisture and heat resistance and light resistance, and maintained excellent mechanical properties after long-term aging under high temperature and high humidity conditions. Therefore, when applied to a fabric for an airbag, the polyester yarn provides excellent packing property, shape stability, and gas barrier effect, and the impact applied to a passenger is minimized, thereby safely protecting the passenger at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polyethylene polymer characterised by the following properties: A number average molecular weight Mn of at least 2.0*105 g/mol, a weight average molecular weight of at least 2.0*106 g/mol, a Mw/Mn ratio of above 6, and a strain hardening slope of below 0.10 N/mm at 135° C. It has been found that a polymer with these properties have be converted through solid state processing into films and fibers with good properties. A solid state processing process, films and fibers, and their use are also claimed.

Abstract: A fine denier poly(trimethylene arylate) spun drawn fiber is characterized by high denier uniformity. A process for preparing uniform fine denier yarns at spinning speeds of 4000 to 6000 m/min is further disclosed. The poly(trimethylene arylate) fiber hereof comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight of polystyrene dispersed therewithin. Fabrics prepared therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of polymer filaments having a high tensile strength and modulus by extrusion of a solution of a solvent and linear high-molecular weight polymer and subsequent spinning and quenching of the filaments thus formed, wherein after spinning and quenching the as-spun filaments are stretched under contact with steam for removing the solvent from filaments being stretched.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing compositions comprising a monoamine-endcapped polyimide component. Based on a gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis of a surface rinse of the composition performed at room temperature, the composition can have at least one surface with less than or equal to 5 ppb releasable phosphorous residuals, and less than or equal to 5 ppb releasable volatile organic compound residuals. The composition can also comprise less than or equal to 10 ppb combined releasable residuals. Because of the very low levels of residual contamination, the compositions can be used to produce a variety of articles, including a disk drive.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a multicomponent fibrous assembly comprising a plurality of continuous filaments formed from a biobased polyhexamethylene sebacamide polymer or a blend of a biobased polyhexamethylene sebacamide polymer together with up to 80 wt % of at least one other polymer compatible with the biobased polyhexamethylene sebacamide polymer. There is also disclosed a process for preparing a biobased polyhexamethylene sebacamide bulked continuous filament (BCF) yarn comprising melt-spinning a polymer melt containing polyhexamethylene sebacamide polymer or a blend of a biobased polyhexamethylene sebacamide polymer together with up to 80 wt % of at least one other polymer compatible with the biobased polyhexamethylene sebacamide polymer to form at least one filament, passing the at least one filament to a drawing stage where the filament is drawn and lengthened to produce a yarn, followed by texturing the yarn.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to polyester fiber that can be used for an airbag fabric. Particularly, the present invention relates to a polyester fiber that has elongation of 1.65% to 2.5% when tensile strength of 1.0 g/d is applied after heat treatment at 185° C. for 2 minutes, and additionally elongates in the range of elongation from 0.5% to 5% at the range of tensile strength from 8.0 g/d to the maximum strength. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the same, and fabric for an airbag prepared therefrom. The polyester fiber simultaneously has low initial Young's modulus and excellent mechanical properties, and thus, it may provide excellent packing, dimensional stability, and excellent air cut-off effect, and simultaneously, minimize impact applied to a passenger thus safely protecting a passenger.

Abstract: Method for making plastic fiber for application in concrete with largest grain diameters >4 mm, with an average diameter of 0.15 to 2 mm, corresponding to approximately 160 to 28,000 dtex. Using a co-extrusion process, a bi-component fiber is formed having a central core and a casing around the central core, the central core and the casing contain different pure polymers or polymer mixtures, and then the co-extruded bi-component fiber is stretched by a factor of 5 to 15, and thereafter a structured or grooved surface is embossed onto the co-extruded stretched bi-component fiber. The embossing is performed such that a depth of the embossing is more than 10% of an average fiber diameter, and a maximal distances of structure tips within incorporated structures of the embossing in an axial direction lie in a region between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) is used for producing melt-blown fibres (MF). It comprises a die head (104) with several spinning orifices, means (100, 101,102, 103) for extruding at least one melted polymeric material through the spinning orifices of the die head (104) in the form of meltblown filaments (f), and means (104a,104b) for blowing a hot primary gas flow (F1) towards the outlet of the die head (104) in order to draw and attenuate the polymeric filaments (f) at the outlet of the die head, and a drawing unit (105) that is positioned below the die head (104), and that is adapted to create an additional gas flow (F3) that is oriented downstream to further draw and attenuate the meltblown filaments (f).

Abstract: The present invention provides to a method of producing fiber from tourmaline anion fiber; of which, polypropylene or polyethylene chip, TPE and submicrometer tourmaline particle are prepared and then rolled into submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate through granulation by double screw; then, take submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene chip, of which the content of tourmaline agglomerate accounts for 1˜10% of gross weight, and TPE for 1˜40% of gross weight; tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene are melted into composite fiber or filter material via spinning, such that the fiber or filter material can yield anion and present outstanding gas permeability and mechanical property.

Abstract: The formation of a non-woven, free from organic solvent, formed through parallel formation of fibers on a collection device is disclosed. As the individual fibers are dry prior to contact with other fibers, the different contents of the various fiber types do not interact. However, when wetted, the fibers will start to be dissolved, or swell, and the different contents will be released and then interact. For the example of thrombin and fibrinogen, the interaction will initiate the formation of a fibrin coagulum by the cleavage of fibrinogen through the action of thrombin to form fibrin monomers that spontaneously polymerize to form a three dimensional network of fibrin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of spinning a polypeptide polymer containing fibre. It further relates to a polymer fibre obtainable by said method and to uses thereof. The invention also relates to products comprising said polymer fibre.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a precursor fiber for a carbon fiber. The precursor fiber of fine denier according to the present invention is used to prepare a carbon fiber having excellent tensile strength and compressive strength by a conventional single component spinneret using a superdrawing process to prepare a high strength and high elastic carbon fiber with a reduction in stabilization time.

Abstract: Systems for producing bulked webs and/or nonwoven materials may include at least one extruder having a plurality of nozzles and a master air jet in communication with at least one extruder to receive a plurality of polymer melt filaments from at least one extruder to form a bulked web. Producing bulked webs may include at least the steps of forming a plurality of polymer melt filaments; passing the plurality of polymer melt filaments through a master air jet thereby forming a bulked web; and collecting the bulked web.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to high strength polyester fiber for industrial application such as a seat belt, webbing and the like, particularly to polyester fiber having elongation of 0.4% or more at stress of 1.0 g/d, elongation of 3.5% or more at stress of 4.0 g/d, and elongation of 6.0% or more at stress of 7.0 g/d, as measured at room temperature, and a method for manufacturing the same. The polyester fiber according to the present invention has high strength, low modulus and high elongation thereby securing excellent mechanical properties, and thus, a seat belt having excellent impact absorption rate, and remarkably improved abrasion resistance and heat resistant breaking strength retention may be manufactured.

Abstract: Dental floss products are provided which include a unitary tape of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 5 dl/g, as measured in decalin at 135° C., the tape having a thickness of about 0.02-0.1 mm and a width of about 0.25-6 mm, and a tensile strength of at least 1.8 GPa. The dental floss products have very high mechanical, especially tensile strength, and show high resistance to tearing and has a low coefficient of friction. The tape can be inserted between teeth tightly together without breaking. A further advantage of the dental tape products is that most of the initial strength during flossing is retained, even if the tape separates into filaments. Processes for making a unitary tape suitable for use in a dental floss product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a flame retardant polyester fiber that makes it possible to prepare a flame retardant polyester fiber having excellent shape stability while preventing a lumping phenomenon and reducing powder generation and discoloration during the preparing process of the flame retardant polyester fiber, and a flame retardant polyester fiber prepared therefrom.

Abstract: Conjugate fibers are prepared in which at least one segment is a mixture of a high-D PLA resin and a high-L PLA resin. These segments have crystallites having a crystalline melting temperature of at least 200° C. At least one other segment is a high-D PLA resin or a high-L PLA resin. The conjugate fibers may be, for example, bicomponent, multi-component, islands-in-the-sea or sheath-and-core types. Specialty fibers of various types can be made through further downstream processing of these conjugate fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester fiber applicable to an airbag fabric, and more particularly to a polyester fiber, a preparation method for the polyester fiber, and an airbag fabric prepared from the polyester fiber, where the polyester fiber has an elongation of 0.8 to 2.0% under a tensile strength of 1.0 g/d at the room temperature, and an additional elongation of 1.5 to 5% under a tensile strength of 8.8 g/d to the maximum. The polyester fiber of the present invention which secures low initial Young's modulus and good mechanical properties can be used in an airbag fabric not only to provide excellences in air sealing effect as well as packing property and dimensional stability but also to minimize collision impacts on occupants, thereby protecting the occupants with safety.

Abstract: A process for preparing a PANOX fiber comprising: obtaining an acrylonitrile copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains at least about 2% by weight itaconic acid comonomer; forming a spin dope from the copolymer; wet spinning the spin dope to obtain gelled filaments; contacting the gelled filaments with ammonia activator in an aqueous imbibation bath; bundling the gelled filaments to obtain a fiber; removing solvent from the fiber; drawing the fiber; densifying the fiber by heating the fiber up to about 400 degrees C. for a time of about 15 minutes in a rapid densification zone; and withdrawing a PANOX fiber from the densification zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a “spunbond wetlaid method for producing non-woven fabrics from natural cellulose” using pulp as raw material and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as solvent for dissolving into dope. Then, the dope is extruded out of a spinneret to form filament bundle by spunbond method. The dope is extruded out of a spinneret bank of grouped spinnerets to form filament bundle for further stretching process under quench condition. The filament bundle is coagulated with regeneration in a coagulating solution. The coagulated filament bundle is rapidly stretched under high pressure by an air draw-off machine. The stretched filament bundle is collected and stacked on a collecting net as web nonwoven. After post treatments of water rinsing, hydro-entangled needle punching, drying, winding-up and the like have been orderly applied then final product of nonwoven fabrics with continuous filament are produced from natural cellulose.

Abstract: Copolymers exhibiting the following combinations of properties, including without limitation, ?-caprolactone in an amount ranging from about 12 to about 70 mole percent, glycolide in an amount ranging from about 30 to about 88 mole percent, crystallinity ranging from about 10 to about 50% as measured by WAXD or about 10 to about 50 J/g as measured by DSC, and an inherent viscosity ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.45 dL/g as measured in a 0.1 g/dl solution of HFIP at 25° C.; a method for melt blowing such copolymers and nonwoven constructs produced therefrom are described herein.

Abstract: A polyolefin-based split-type conjugate fiber according to the present invention is a polyolefin-based split-type conjugate fiber obtained by composite spinning including a first component containing a polypropylene-based resin and a second component containing a polyolefin-based resin, wherein the first component contains, as a primary component, a polypropylene resin having a Q value (the ratio between the weight average molecular weight Mw and the number average molecular weight Mn) of 6 or greater and a melt flow rate according to JIS K 7210 (MFR at a measurement temperature of 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kgf (21.18 N)) of 5 g/10 min or greater and less than 23 g/10 min, and the first component and the second component are adjacent to each other in a cross section of the polyolefin-based split-type conjugate fiber.

Abstract: A paper machine clothing (PMC) fabric includes a plurality of monofilament yarns. At least some of the yarns have a composition which is a mixture of between 90% to 99.8% thermoplastic resin, and between 0.2% to 10% nano-graphene. The thermoplastic resin is preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing compositions comprising a monoamine-endcapped polyimide component. Based on a gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis of a surface rinse of the composition performed at room temperature, the composition can have at least one surface with less than or equal to 5 ppb releasable phosphorous residuals, and less than or equal to 5 ppb releasable volatile organic compound residuals. The composition can also comprise less than or equal to 10 ppb combined releasable residuals. Because of the very low levels of residual contamination, the compositions can be used to produce a variety of articles, including a disk drive.

Abstract: A new product is made by an improved pultrusion method including the use of repetitiously moved cooled consolidation plates by the action of which excess plastic resin is allowed to escape from the sides and wherein the flow of plastic carries and shapes transverse reinforcing fibers to curve along the edge of the product preventing delamination of the product. The repetitiously moved consolidation plates provide a more accurately dimensional product and require less pultrusion drawing force than the usual cup and plunger pultrusion die.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web, the method including the steps of providing plurality of fibers and subjecting the fibers to a pneumatic attenuation force which imparts a velocity to the fibers, reducing the velocity of the fibers in a diffusion chamber which is formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge, and thereafter collecting the fibers into a web on a moving forming surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a fiber attenuation chamber, a diffusion chamber formed substantially between opposed diverging sidewalls, the diffusion chamber located below the fiber attenuation chamber, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester fiber that can be applied to a fabric for airbag, particularly, to a polyester fiber having an elongation of 0.4% or less at the stress of 1.0 g/d, an enlongation of 4.0% or less at the stress of 4.0 g/d, and an enlongation of 7.0% or less at the stress of 7.0 g/d, and an initial modulus of 105 to 130 g/d; a method of preparing the same; and a fabric for airbag prepared therefrom. Since the polyester fiber of the present invention decreases stiffness remarkably and secures superior mechanical properties by having a high strength, high elongation, and high shrinkage, it is possible to provide superior packing property, dimensional stability, and air-tight effect, and to protect passengers safely by minimizing the impact applied to the passengers, when it is used for the fabric for airbag.

Abstract: A process is disclosed of forming cellulose fibers. The process includes extruding an aqueous solution of cellulose and a solvent through a first member to form filaments. The first member has multiple rows of first and second openings with a nozzle positioned in each of the first openings. At least one of the nozzles in one row is staggered from at least one of the nozzles in an adjacent row. At least a portion of each of the filaments is shrouded in a pressurized gas emitted through each of the first openings. Each of the filaments is contacted with a liquid to remove some of the solvent and transform each of the filaments into a continuous solid fiber. The continuous solid fibers are then collected on a moving surface to form a non-woven cellulose web.

Abstract: Methods and systems of forming barbed sutures from blown films are provided. A method for forming a barbed suture includes providing a blown film, cutting slits into an outer edge of the blown film, and twisting the blown film such that the slits protrude from the twisted blown film to form a barbed suture. A system for forming a barbed suture includes a set of heating rollers configured for stiffening an outer edge of a blown film, a set of cutting rollers configured for forming slits in the outer edge, a set of twisting rollers configured for twisting the blown film into a suture, and a heat source to set the suture.

Abstract: A fine denier poly(trimethylene arylate) spun drawn fiber is characterized by high denier uniformity. A process for preparing uniform fine denier yarns at spinning speeds of 4000 to 6000 m/min is further disclosed. The poly(trimethylene arylate) fiber hereof comprises 0.1 to 3% by weight of polystyrene dispersed therewithin. Fabrics prepared therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the manufacture of solid regenerated viscose fibers, comprising the steps of: —spinning a viscose spinning dope through a spinneret comprising spinning holes into a regenerating bath thereby forming filaments, —said viscose spinning dope having an alkali ratio immediately before spinning of from 0.7 to 1.0, preferably from 0.8 to 0.9, —at least part of said spinning holes having a circular orifice, —said regenerating bath containing—from 70 to 120 g/l, preferably 90 to 110 g/l sulfuric acid, —from 240 to 380 g/l, preferably 330 to 370 g/l sodium sulphate, —from 20 to 50 g/l, preferably 25 to 35 g/l zinc sulphate and said regenerating bath having a temperature of from 45 to 55° C., preferably 48 to 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a hydroentangled product comprising cellulose fibers, which includes the steps of (a) extruding a solution comprising cellulose dissolved in an aqueous tertiary amine-oxide through a spinneret into an air gap, thereby forming filaments (b) drawing said filaments by means of a gaseous stream (c) collecting and precipitating said filaments in order to form a web (d) bonding said web by means of a hydroentanglement process (e) contacting said filaments in the air gap with a medium which at least partially coagulates the filaments. Furthermore, the invention relates to products obtainable by said products, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A process is described for producing thin crimped tows from LOY, POY, or FOY filaments in a total linear density from 2 ktex to 9 ktex by filament yarns being withdrawn from creeled bobbins, folded and provided with a processing finish, then drawn or tension-uniformized and thereafter heated and stufferbox crimped. The process can be carried out in-line with numerous further processing operations. The tows are particularly useful for producing textile hygiene articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, inserts and incontinence guards and the like.

Abstract: A yarn for air bags including polyamide multifilament with a total fineness of 200 to 700 dtex, a single fiber fineness of 1 to 2 dtex, strength of 7 to 10 cN/dtex, and elongation of 20 to 30%.

Abstract: Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are multicomponent fibers comprising a water dispersible sulfopolyester having a Tg of at least 57° C. and a water non-dispersible polymer. The multicomponent fibers may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the water-dispersible fibers, multicomponent fibers, and microdenier fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible and microdenier nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.

Abstract: Methods for making bioabsorbable copolymer filaments are provided herein. The methods include drying the polymer pellets to be extruded, melt extrusion of copolymer components, stretching the filaments in one or more draw steps and permitting the drawn filaments to relax. The copolymer preferably contains units derived from glycolide or glycolic acid and units derived from an alkylene carbonate, such as, for example, trimethylene carbonate.