Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer with high drawability is provided. Also provided is a process employing the polymer and an article coated with the polymer.

Abstract: A process for making load limiting yarn comprising making block copolymer and then spinning the block copolymer into yarn. The process employs a twin screw extruder and comprises (A) forwarding aromatic polyester melt to an injection position in a twin screw extruder, (B) injecting lactone monomer into the molten aromatic polyester, (C) dispersing the monomer into the aromatic polyester melt so that a uniform mixture forms in less than about thirty seconds, and (D) reacting the uniform mixture resulting from step (C) at a temperature from about 250° C. to from a block copolymer. Steps (A) through (D) occur in less than about four minutes residence time in the twin screw extruder. The process is advantageous because high IV starting aromatic polyester can be used and the short reaction time at high temperature results in block copolymer with minimum transesterification, a high melting point, and a high melt viscosity.

Abstract: A method for producing super fine meltblown fibers increases the length of the meltblown jet thermal core to increase the dwell time of the extruded thermoplastic polymer within the jet thermal core. Through use of the method it is practical to use low viscosity resins and further to provide meltblown nonwovens with superior barrier properties to the passage of fluids and particularly gases. The method further provides a useful means for blooming internal additives to the surface of the fibers.

Abstract: A process for the production and for the winding of one polyester yarn, preferably multi-filament yarn, which comprises at least about 85 weight %, in relation to the total weight of the polyester yarn, of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) wherein said process is characterized in that filaments of said polyester yarn is heat-treated, before it is wound on a bobbin, at a temperature in the range of about 70° C. to about 180° C. The method of accomplishing this is by heating the godets that are used in the spinning part of the process, preferably the last pair of godets, to relax the yarns so that the yarn package will not shrink significantly during storage and/or transportation. It is thus possible to obtain at least one PTT yarn package with long-term stability during storage and which is insensitive against elevated temperatures during storage and transport.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptide fibers, such as silk fibers, produced by regeneration and methods for making the fibers.

Abstract: Described are a process for producing elastane yarn having a linear density of at least 2500 dtex by the wet spinning process and the thereby producible coarse linear density elastane yarn having a wide cross section and a low residual solvent content. The process comprises the steps of spinning an up to 35% strength by weight stable-viscosity elastane solution into a coagulation bath, washing and optionally drawing, drying by contact heating, setting, spin finishing and winding the yarn, the filaments leaving the coagulation bath passing around a diverting roller disposed just above the coagulation bath liquid, the as-spun filament linear density amounting to not more than 1% of the value of the final linear density, the jet stretch ratio being within the range from 0.5 to 50, the contact heating temperature being at least 220° C. and the contact time of the elastane yarn being at least 2 seconds.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn, in which the plastics material includes one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyphenylene sulphide, polystyrene. The method includes heating the material to melt it, pumping the melted material through an extruder to form an extruded filament, and cooling the extruded filament. The cooled filament is passed through a first draw roller assembly while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament is then heated in a heating zone as it exits the first draw roller assembly and, thereafter, the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly. The filament is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly.

Abstract: A meta-type wholly aromatic polyamide containing, as principal repeating units, meta-phenylenediamineisophthalamide units is dissolved in an amide compound solvent; the resultant polymer solution is subjected to a wet-spinning procedure wherein the polymer solution is extruded in the form of filamentary streams into a coagulation bath containing an amide compound-containing solvent and water but substantially not containing salts, through spinning orifices of a spinneret, to coagulate the extruded filamentary polymer solution streams in the coagulation bath; the coagulated porous undrawn filaments are subjected to a drawing procedure wherein the porous undrawn filaments are drawn in a plasticizing drawing bath containing an aqueous solution of an amide compound solvent; the resultant drawn filaments are washed with water, and then heat-treated (for example, further drawn at a draw ratio of 0.7 to 4.0 while being heated at a temperature of 250 to 400° C.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for melt spinning a multifilament yarn from a thermoplastic material, wherein a spinneret extrudes the thermoplastic material to strandlike filaments, which are initially in liquid form and then cooled to cause their solidification. For purposes of cooling, the filaments are precooled in a cooling zone downstream of the spinneret in such a manner that the filaments do not solidify. Subsequently, the filament bundle advances by the action of a coolant stream directed in the direction of the advancing yarn into a tension zone and undergoes further cooling until the filaments solidify in a solidification zone within the tension zone. To maintain the location of the solidification zone within the tension zone in a predetermined desired range thereof, an adjustable cooling of the filaments within the cooling zone is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing extruded polymer products such as hollow extrusions and conductor coatings having wall thicknesses of 0.002 inches or less. The apparatus may comprise more than one of the following: an external heat source; temperature measurement and heater control; video monitoring equipment to allow magnified observation of the extrudate, thereby providing opportunity to observe any deficiency in the extrudate; and a die holder and die allowing for more expedient die adjustments.

Abstract: We have determined that strength characteristics of elastic strand improve when the strand is heated. Thus, the present invention is directed to improving strength characteristics of an elastic strand by heating the strand. The strand may be heated by thermal conduction and/or convection, by irradiative methods using, for example, infrared or microwave radiation, or some combination of these. If the elastic strand is made at a location different from the location where the strand is used as a raw material, the strand may be heated at either location, or both locations. Furthermore, the strand may be heated in-line, i.e. as part of the process that makes the strand or the process that uses the strand as a raw material, or off-line, i.e. in a step separate from either of the aforementioned processes. Finally, in addition to heat treating the strand, the strand's exposure to water or water vapor may be regulated to reduce or eliminate strength degradation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polytrimethylene terephthalate monofilament yarn excellent in softness, bending recovery or durability against a long term use. The inventive polytrimethylene terephthalate monofilament yarn is constituted by trimethylene terephthalate composed of 90 mol % or more of trymethylene terephthalate repeating units and 10 mol % or less of other ester repeating units, wherein the yarn has a single-fiber size of 50 dtex or more, an intrinsic viscosity in a range from 0.8 to 1.3 dl/g, and a boiling water shrinkage of 2% or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel composition for use in dental flosses or tapes. More particularly, it relates to novel compositions containing a base polymer, a block copolymer and a nonmigrating compatibilizer or plasticizer that, in combination in a blend, result in a floss or dental tape having good breaking strength, elongation, tenacity, nick resistance and gentleness to the gums.

Abstract: The invention describes food-compatible monofilaments and flat-shaped bodies made from them, wherein the monofilaments are based on polyester with the addition of 0.5 to 3.5 percent by weight of a polycarbonate, and which are characterized by an especially high abrasion resistance and resistance to foods. The shaped bodies are used for transporting, packaging, storing and handling foods and are characterized by reduced abrasion and an increased abrasion resistance. The quality of the foods that come into contact with such shaped bodies is excellent.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing thermoplastic fibres by melt-spinning an alternating co-polymer composed of alkenes and carbon monoxide in which the polymer is heated to a temperature of at least TNF+5° C.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomer fibers with superior mechanical and heat distortion properties are obtained by a method in which (a) a segmented polyurethane polymer is produced on the basis of a macro-diol, an aliphatic diisocyanate, and a chain extender with at least two hydroxy and/or amino groups, where the polymer has a molar excess of isocyanate groups over the hydroxy and/or amino groups from the macro-diol and chain extender; (b) the polyurethane polymer is melt-extruded to form a fiber; and (c) The extruded fiber is subjected to a post-treatment. Steps (a) and (b) are carried out under temperature conditions and within a time interval where essentially no allophanate will be formed, while step (c) is performed under temperature conditions and within a time interval in which the polyurethane polymer is cross-linked through the formation of allophanate.

Abstract: A method for providing improved absorbency against pressure characteristics to non-surface crosslinked superabsorbent polymer fibers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a highly oriented yarn (HOY) wherein the yarn is withdrawn from the nozzle of a spinneret at a withdrawal speed of at least 6,500 m/min. The filaments forming the yarn are drawn during their solidification, so that a highly oriented molecular structure forms in the polymer. To withstand the withdrawal tension generated by the high withdrawal speed without overstressing the filaments, the filaments are assisted in their advance before they solidify such that prior to the solidification a tensile stress relief is effective on the filaments, and that during the solidification a reduced withdrawal tension is effective on the filaments while they are drawn.

Abstract: A method for producing super fine meltblown fibers increases the length of the meltblown jet thermal core to increase the dwell time of the extruded thermoplastic polymer within the jet thermal core. Through use of the method it is practical to use low viscosity resins and further to provide meltblown nonwovens with superior barrier properties to the passage of fluids and particularly gases. The method further provides a useful means for blooming internal additives to the surface of the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to absorbable, autoclaveable, monofilament fibers prepared from absorbable glycolide-rich polymers, in which the fibers are oriented in the total draw ratio range 4.1 to 5.6×, and are annealed at a temperature between about 165° C. and about 185° C.; to brachytherapy seed spacers manufactured from the absorbable, autoclaveable, glycolide-rich polymers, monofilament fibers; and to methods of manufacturing such fibers and brachytherapy seed spacers.

Abstract: Stable, heat-set, helically crimped fibers are economically produced with in-line fabric deposition and heat setting and are uncompacted to retain their loft.

Abstract: A process of making polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, comprising (a) providing polytrimethylene terephthalate, (b) melt spinning the melted polytrimethylene terephthalate at a temperature of 245-285° C. into filaments, (c) quenching the filaments, (d) drawing the quenched filaments, (e) crimping the drawn filaments using a mechanical crimper at a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm), (f) relaxing the crimped filaments at a temperature of 50-120° C., and (g) cutting the relaxed filaments into staple fibers having a length of about 0.2-6 inches (about 0.5-about 15 cm), and polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, yarns and fabrics. Further, a process of optimizing the crimp take-up of a polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fiber comprising determining the relationship between denier and crimp take-up and manufacturing staple fibers having a denier selected based upon that determination.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorphous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) anamorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: A process for melt-spinning solution-polymerized polyurethanes, based on polvether glycols and MDI at an addition ratio of 1.8 to 6.0, glycol chain extenders and a chain terminator to produce number average molecular weights of the polyurethanes of 40,000-150,000, and 5-2500 decitex spandex made thereby, are provided.

Abstract: A cast film comprises a layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed substantially syndiotactic propylene polymer. Optionally, the cast film has on at least one side an outer skin layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester multi-filamentary yarn useful as a reinforcement for tires and a dipped cord formed therefrom. The polyester multi-filamentary yarn comprises at least 90 mol % of polyethylene terephthalate and has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.70-1.2 and a tenacity of 5.5-8.5 g/d with an intermediate elongation difference (E1−E0) between intermediate elongations E0 and E1 amounting to 6% or greater. The polyester dipped cord is produced by subjecting at least two strands of polyester multi-filamentary yarn to first twisting and second twisting, the polyester multi-filamentary yarn comprising 90 mol % of polyethylene terephthalate; forming the strands into a fabric; and treating the fabric with blocked isocyanate and resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL), wherein the cord satisfies the following characteristics: a) a tenacity of 5.0 g/d or greater, b) a dimensional stability index (E4.5+SR) of less than 7.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making industrial continuous filament yarn by entangling a polyester multifilament yarn at high temperature, under yarn traction force less than 140 cN. By means of a tangling cop tube consisting of a body (1) provided with a perforated plate (2) and a deflection plate (3), heat is directly transmitted to the polyester filament and the air passing through the cop tube body (1) is directly transmitted to a metal block (8) with high thermal conductivity directly connected to the deflection plate (3). In the device for implementing said method, the deflection plate (3) is directly connected to a metal block (8) with high thermal conductivity, wherein a bore (7) is provided for housing a heating element. The polyester continuous filament designed for spinning applications, with a yarn count of 500-2000 dtex, has a resistance of at least 70 cN/tex for a breaking elongation less than 24%, and a knot strength higher than 80% and a spacing between 2 knots more than 4.0 cm.

Abstract: Highly crimped, fully drawn bicomponent fibers, prepared by melt-spinning, followed by gas-flow quenching, heat treatment and high speed windup, are provided, as are fine-decitex and highly uniform polyester bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by spinning under high stress conditions in the transition region between oriented-amorprhous and oriented-crystalline undrawn yarns by selection of process parameters to form an undrawn yarn that is a crystalline, partially oriented yarn with a crystallinity of 3 to 15 percent and a melting point elevation of 2 to 10° C. The spun yarn is then hot drawn to a total draw ratio between 1.5/1 and 2.5/1 with the resulting properties: (A) a terminal modulus of at least 20 g/d, (B) a dimensional stability defined by E4.5+FS<13.5 percent, (C) a tenacity of at least 7 grams per denier, (D) a melting point elevation of 9 to 14° C., and (E) an amorphous orientation function of less than 0.75. The resulting treated tire cord provides high tenacity in combination with improved dimensional stability.

Abstract: A method for making heat-retaining fiber and fabrics. According to the present invention, the white conductive particles and the white particles with good radiating efficiency of far-infrared radiation are added in fiber-forming polymers to obtain the mixed composition. The fiber and fabrics made of the mixed composition is characteristic of excellent effect of heat-retaining usable for the use of requiring good heat-retaining effectiveness.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn in which the plastics material comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyphenylene sulphide, polystyrene. The method comprises heating the material to melt it, pumping the melted material through an extruder to form an extruded filament, and cooling the extruded filament. The cooled filament is passed through a first draw roller assembly while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament is then heated in a heating zone as it exits the first draw roller assembly and, thereafter, the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly. The filament is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly.

Abstract: Polyester carpets of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) are disclosed which have excellent stain-resistance, texture retention and resistance to crushing. The bulked continuous filament yarn used to make the carpets and the process for making the yarns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making bioabsorbable block copolymer includes extruding a mixture of first polymeric component particles with second polymeric component particles under conditions sufficient to cause transesterification. The resulting block copolymer filaments can be used to form surgical sutures.

Abstract: An exterior automotive quality paint coat is laminated to the surface of a plastic car body member of panel. A dry paint transfer film is first laminated to a relatively thin semi-rigid thermoformable resinous backing sheet. The backing sheet side of the resulting laminate is then laminated to a relatively thick thermoformable substrate sheet of the same or a compatible polymeric material. The two sheets are joined by extruding the thick substrate sheet and using the heat of extrusion to then laminate the thin backing sheet to the thicker extruded substrate sheet. The resulting thick sheet laminate is then thermoformed, preferably by first heating the laminate to a forming temperature, followed by vacuum forming the laminate to a three-dimensional shape of the finished automotive part, such as a fascia, ready to put on a vehicle.

Abstract: In a process for production of an aluminum foil (10) coated with sealable and sterlisable plastic (14) based on polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), the plastic (14) is coextruded with an adhesion-promotion agent (16) and combined with an aluminium foil (24) between two rollers (20, 22). The aluminium foil (10) coextrusion-coated in this way, to increase the adhesion strength between the aluminium foil (24) and the plastic layer (14), then passes continuously through an oven (26) with temperature (TO) set such that the temperature of the plastic layer (14) and the adhesion-promotion agent (16) lies above the crystallite melt point (TK) of the plastic. The coated aluminium foil heat-treated in this way, after emerging from the oven (26), is cooled shock-like such that the crystalline proportion at least in the surface area of the cooled plastic layer (14) and the crystallites in this area are as small as possible.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic polymeric fibers which have utility as temporary acquisition/distribution absorbent structures and permanent storage/distribution absorbent structures in a wide range of absorbent products such as diapers, feminine napkins, and adult incontinent pads. These fibers are short, highly distorted, and bulky characterized by lengths between 2 and 37 mm, short-range distortion factors between 5 and 70, long-range distortion factors between 0.05 and 0.9, and single fiber bulk factors between 0.5 and 10.0. They may or may not have capillary channels on the surface. The advantages of these materials are their increased absorbency, reduced wet collapse at low densities, reduced rewet, reduced loss of liquid under pressure, and their ability to be desorbed by distribution materials such as capillary channeled fibers or by conventional storage materials such as fluff pulp or superabsorbent polymer fiber or powder.

Abstract: A spinning cell for dry spinning spandex by extruding filaments from a nonuniform array of spinneret capillary groups in a rectangular bar and contacting them with a cross-flow of hot, inert gas is provided.

Abstract: Polymer blend fibers having a phase separation structure are provided. The phase separation structure is a sea-island structure and a diameter D1 on a circle basis of an island phase of the sea-island structure in a transverse cross-section of the fibers is in the range of 0.001 to 0.4 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable medical devices made totally or in part from a random polymer comprising glycolide, lactide, trimethylene carbonate, and caprolactone are provided. The polymer can be fabricated into a monofilament which exhibits physical characteristics equivalent to or superior than gut sutures.