Abstract: A method for producing a polyacetal fiber that presents an improved whiteness unevenness is provided. According to one embodiment, there is provided a polyacetal fiber production method that yields a polyacetal fiber using an oxymethylene copolymer having a melt index, at 190° C. under a load of 2.16 kg, of 5-60 g/10 min, wherein the production method includes taking off the polyacetal fiber from the discharge nozzle of a spinning apparatus, and drawing the taken-off polyacetal fiber. The tensile elongation E1 of the polyacetal fiber after the taking off is 20%-500%; the tensile elongation E2 of the polyacetal fiber after the drawing is 10%-100%; E1?E2; and the single fiber thickness of the polyacetal fiber after the drawing is 0.7-5.0 denier.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a rope health monitoring system and a rope for such rope health monitoring system whereby the rope comprises objects which are remotely detectable, readable and programmable identification (ID) tags and whereby the rope monitoring system comprises said rope, at least one ID tag reader device mounted along said predetermined path of the rope, to detect at least the identity and optionally the historic health status and/or at least one physical rope parameters of the individual rope section provided with and identified by the at least one ID tag, at least one ID tag writing device, to write a new health status of the individual rope section to the at least one ID tag, at least one means to measure at least one rope operation parameter, a computing unit provided with data, whereby the computing unit is equipped with an algorithm capable to compute the relative longitudinal positioning of individual sections of the rope and the additional damage or damages suffered by individual sec

Abstract: Use of highly phase separated thermoplastic polyether ester elastomers for injection molded golf ball core layers is disclosed herein. The thermoplastic polyether ester elastomer comprises a polytetramethylene glycol (PTMO), a cycloaliphatic diol, and dimethyl terephthalate.

Abstract: Use of highly phase separated thermoplastic polyether ester elastomers for injection molded golf ball core layers is disclosed herein. The thermoplastic polyether ester elastomer comprises a polytetramethylene glycol (PTMO), a cycloaliphatic diol, and dimethyl terephthalate.

Abstract: A rubber belt comprising at least one layer of a plurality of tightly packed elastic yarns or fibers and at least one layer of silicone rubber. A method of manufacturing a rubber belt is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of wrapping one or more elastic yarns or fibers onto a mandrel, where the one or more elastic yarns or fibers form one or more layers on the mandrel; adding a liquid high viscosity silicone rubber on top of the one or more layers; and heating the mandrel in order to polymerize the silicone rubber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drawn PET fiber which has good dimensional stability and can be applied to a cap ply cord for a pneumatic tire, a PET tire cord, their preparation methods, and a tire including the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an undrawn PET fiber and a drawn PET fiber those can provide a cap ply cord and the like showing more improved modulus and good dimensional stability, and a tire cord including the same. The undrawn PET fiber may be a fiber of which the crystallinity is 25% or more, the birefringence index is 0.085 to 0.11, the amorphous orientation factor (AOF) is 0.15 or less, and the melting temperature (Tm) is 258° C. or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a PTFE fiber that makes it possible, unlike the emulsion spinning process, to obtain a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber, particularly a long PTFE fiber, without using a matrix material, is more productive than conventional production methods such as a slit yarn process, and is capable of enhancing mechanical properties and the degree of freedom in diameter of the obtained fiber. The method for producing the PTFE fiber of the present invention includes the step of reducing a diameter of a string-shape PTFE-containing solid material (a first solid material) by drawing the first solid material at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of PTFE. The first solid material can be obtained from a PTFE-containing solid material (a second solid material) containing water and a surfactant, by reducing an amount of the water contained in the second solid material.

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: Antiballistic or composite products include high strength polyethylene films or tapes produced in a process including the steps of providing a quantity of disentangled polyethylene, applying a pressure of at least 20 bar to the quantity of disentangled polyethylene and a temperature between the ?-relaxation temperature and the melting temperature of the disentangled polyethylene Tm PE resulting in a block of disentangled polyethylene, skiving a film or tape off the block of disentangled polyethylene and drawing the film or tape in a single or multi stage drawing step at a total draw ratio of at least 1:20.

Abstract: Processes for the production of high strength polyethylene tape articles from high strength ultra-high molecular weight multi-filament yarns, and to the tape articles, fabrics, laminates and impact resistant materials made therefrom.

Abstract: Process for producing high strength polyethylene films or tapes comprising the steps of: providing a quantity of disentangled polyethylene, applying a pressure of at least 20 bar to the quantity of disentangled polyethylene and a temperature between the ?-relaxation temperature and the melting temperature of the disentangled polyethylene Tm PE resulting in a block of disentangled polyethylene, skiving a film or tape off the block of disentangled polyethylene and, drawing said film or tape in a single or multi stage drawing step at a total draw ratio of at least 1:20.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bonded sewing thread comprises the steps of forming coating liquid by adding catalyst of 1 to 5 wt % to a mixture of 95 to 99 wt % in which polyester polyol of 39 to 43 wt %, aliphatic isophthalic diisocyanate of 7 to 11 wt % (MW is 222.2 and viscosity is 500 to 1000 CPS/25° C.), polyester sulfur oxide diol of 1 to 5 wt % as water based monomer (MW is 400 to 500 and viscosity is 500 to 1000 CPS/25° C.), and water of 49 to 53 wt % are uniformly mixed; coating the sewing thread by dipping the sewing thread in the mixed coating liquid; a dry step of drying the coated sewing thread in a temperature range of 120 to 180° C. for 20 to 60 seconds; curing the dried sewing thread in a temperature range of 150 to 200° C. for 20 to 40 seconds; elongating the cured sewing thread in a temperature range of 150 to 200° C. for 15 to 20 seconds so that the sewing thread has elongation of 30 to 60%; and winding the elongated sewing thread.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing oriented slit film tapes, comprising the following steps: extruding melt polymer through a die (2); simultaneous quenching and melt-drawing of the molten polymer in the cooling device to form a film sheet (3); slitting the initial film sheet into a plurality of relatively narrow slit film tapes (4); stretching (8) at elevated temperature, by passing the slit film tapes through a heating medium (7) at a temperature just below the softening temperature of the slit film tapes; y annealing and cooling the oriented slit film tapes (10, 11); winding the slit film tapes (13); characterized in that before the stretching step, it has a stage of pre-stretching (108) made by passing the slit film tapes through one set of heated holding rollers (107) turning at a given speed and one set of cooled pre-stretch rollers (109) turning faster than the heated holding rollers, wherein at least one of the rollers of the set of holding rollers is heated and at least one of the roller

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer gel-processing techniques and polymer articles of high modulus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a cutting filament for a device used to cut vegetation such as a trimmer or border cutter. The filament is made of a synthetic material having extended molecular chains. According to the invention, (a) the filament is brought to a controlled viscous state, (b) the filament is stretched according to the length thereof in order to perform a first longitudinal molecular orientation, (c) a cross-sectional change, resulting in a partial reorientation of molecular chains in a transversal direction, is imposed upon the filament, whereupon filaments having multiple molecular orientations are produced, having improved mechanical properties (e.g. a better resistance to tearing).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a shaped part of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) comprising melt processing, wherein UHMW-PE a) is annealed at a temperature between 130° C. and 136° C., preferably at about 135° C. for at least one hour, b) is converted into a shaped part at a temperature above 142° C.; and c) is cooled down to a temperature below 135° C. The invention further relates to a part like a fiber made with the process and the use of the fiber in a bio medical application.

Abstract: The polyethylene naphthalate fiber for industrial material having a low fatigue in a composite is a polyethylene naphthalate fiber for industrial material containing an ethylene-2,6-naphthalate unit in 80% or more, characterize by having a strength of 6 cN/dtex or more and a secondary yield point elongation degree of 8% or less. The production method thereof is a method for producing a fiber in which a fiber having been obtained by melt-spinning a polyethylene naphthalate is subjected to stretching, characterized in that prestretch satisfying such conditions as the fiber temperature of from 80° C. to 120° C. and from 0.05 to 0.3 N/dtex is performed, a first stretch satisfying such conditions as the fiber temperature of from 130° C. to 180° C. and stretch tensile force of not more than the prestretch tensile force is performed, the total stretch magnification including subsequent stretches is set to 5 or more, and finally heat-treatment under tension with a stretch ratio of from 0 to 2% is performed.

Abstract: Methods for preparation of high strength yarns having superior yarn-to-yarn uniformity of denier, tenacity and tensile modulus and uniform unidirectional fibrous sheets. Ballistic composites prepared from these yarns and fibrous sheets have improved uniformity of ballistic resistance. The drawn yarns, fibrous sheets and articles made therefrom are more uniform than the prior art and are useful in applications requiring impact absorption and ballistic resistance, such as body armor, helmets, breast plates, helicopter seats, spall shields; composite sports equipment such as kayaks, canoes, bicycles and boats; and in fishing line, sails, ropes, sutures and fabrics.

Abstract: A method for producing high-tenacity polypropylene fibers with a tenacity greater than 6 cN/dtex and an elongation of less than 40%. To produce as much as possible fibers of a very fine denier, the fiber strands are spun in a first step at a low melting point of less than 250° C., and are withdrawn at a relatively low withdrawal speed of less than 100 m/min., while being simultaneously cooled by a gaseous cooling medium. Subsequently, the fiber strands undergo drawing in at least three draw zones with a total draw ratio greater than 4:1. In this process, the fiber strands are partially drawn in the first draw zone to at least 70% of the total draw. After having been drawn, the fiber strands are cut to a predetermined fiber length.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer gel-processing techniques and polymer articles of high modulus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a monofilament-like product from a precursor containing a multitude of continuous polyolefin filaments, comprising exposing the precursor to a temperature within the melting point range of the polyolefin for a time sufficient to at least partly fuse adjacent fibres and simultaneously stretching the precursor at a draw ratio of at least 2.8. With the process according to the invention a monofilament-like product can be made that shows improved tensile properties; making it very suitable for application as e.g. fishing line.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven for drawing fibers at elevated temperature, which oven is on two sides opposite one another provided with guide rolls dictating a zigzag up-and-down drawing trajectory for the fiber in the oven. In the oven according to the invention the drawing trajectory is at least 20 meters long and the rolls are driven. The invention also relates to a process for drawing fibers using the oven according to the invention, in particular to a process for producing highly oriented polyethylene fibers.

Abstract: A spiral wound fiber that includes birefringent interfaces is useful in different optical devices. One type of wound fiber includes at least first and second material layers. At least one of the layers is polymeric and at least one of the layers is birefringent. The spiral wound fiber may be used alone, or in an optical device. Such an optical device can include the fiber embedded within a matrix or attached to a substrate. The spiral wound fiber can be made by rolling a stack of at least two layers, by coextruding the two layers or by coating a rotating form.

Abstract: The invention describes a process and an apparatus for the production of highly crimped polymer strips which are suitable for use in artificial turf surfaces, for example for football pitches, hockey pitches, tennis courts or golf courses, and are characterized by a high degree of strength, a large volume and a high elasticity. The texturing of the polymer strips is carried out by means of a stuffer box, wherein the polymer strips are laid on a cooling godet immediately after the stuffer box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous drawing of fibers in the form of coiled fiber loops (e.g., polygonal or serpentine loops). The successive fiber loops are continuously laid on receiving ends of a plurality of conveyer-drawing members (CDM) [e.g., rotating threaded spindles (54) or circulating endless chains (80) and (108)] disposed about a central axis and diverged from this axis. Coiled fiber loops are conveyed along the central axis and simultaneously drawn by enlarging a circumference of the fiber loops by the CDM. The leading fiber loops are continuously taken off at delivery ends of the CDM and conveyed from the drawing apparatus at an outlet speed. Heat chambers (11) and (148) envelop at least the most part of CDM. The process can operate at low drawing speed and long drawing time typical for lab-scale experiments and equal or higher outlet speed and throughput typical for commercial drawing processes.

Abstract: A bonded web of multi-component strands that include a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component is capable of overcoming a number of problems associated with nonwoven webs including both stickiness and blocking. The first polymeric component and second polymeric component are arranged in substantially distinct zones extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the strands which make up the web with the second component containing a zone constituting at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the strand. The first polymeric component also has an elasticity which is greater than that of the second polymer component. A process producing elastomeric spunbonded nonwoven fabrics which utilizes the activation by incremental stretching of the strands is also provided.

Abstract: An elastomeric, breathable laminate having enhanced breathability is formed by bonding a breathable, microporous, extendible/elastic film to a nonwoven facing material. The facing material can be necked to impart cross-directional stretchability. Once the film and the facing material are bonded together, the resulting laminate is stretched in one or more areas to impart higher breathability to selected areas of the laminate. The breathable laminate with enhanced breathability is particularly useful as an outer cover for diapers and other personal care products.

Abstract: High strength polyethylene yarns useful in ballistic-resistant, cut-resistant and other applications, fabrics produced from these yarns and the methods by which the yarns and fabrics are made. An untwisted yarn of the invention comprises a plurality of filaments in essentially parallel array and from about 0.5 to 5 weight percent of a water-dispersible binder material covering less than half the surfaces of the filaments.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrophobic polyolefin-containing fibers or filaments, in particular cardable staple fibers, using spin finishes applied after spinning and stretching, that comprise at least one water-insoluble ester of a mono-, di-, tri- or tetrahydric alcohol with a molecular weight not exceeding 500 and a branched or straight chain fatty acid with between 12 and 30 carbon atoms, e.g. a water-insoluble ester of ethylene or propylene glycol, glycerol, neopentyl glycol, trimethylolethane or trimethylolpropane and at least one saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue having 12-24 carbons atoms, an anionic or nonionic antistatic agent preferably being applied after crimping; fibers produced by the method; and nonwovens produced from such fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultra-fine inorganic fibers and a method of producing the same. The method of producing ultra-fine inorganic fibers comprises the steps of: mixing sol or gel containing an inorganic material and thermoplastic resin solution and reacting them to produce a mixture solution thereof; electronically spinning the mixture solution under a high voltage to produce a composite fiber with the inorganic material embedded in the thermoplastic resin; and carbonating the thermoplastic resin in the composite fiber or dissolving the same in a solvent. Thereby an ultra-fine inorganic fiber is prepared which has a length 100 to 10,000 times larger than its diameter and a diameter of 10 to 1,000 nm. The ultra-fine inorganic fiber of the present invention has a very large specific surface area with respect to its volume. Thus it is very useful as catalyst supporting materials, reinforcing materials, coating materials or the like in every field of industry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for electrostatically spinning fibers of polyamic acid and the fibers thus produced as well as the nonwoven webs that may be formed from the fibers. According to the processes of the present invention, polyamic acid solutions may be electrostatically spun to form fibers of very small diameter, such as, for instance, less than about 5 &mgr;m in average diameter. The fibers may be formed into a nonwoven web having very high specific surface area and large porosity. The polyamic acid may be converted to polyimide to form a polyimide nonwoven web. The polyimide nonwoven web may then be activated through a carbonization process to enhance the electrochemical properties of the web. The nonwoven webs of the invention may be utilized in a variety of electrochemical applications including, for example, electrical double layer capacitors.

Abstract: Fine denier poly(trimethylene terephthalate) feed yarns and drawn yarns wherein the drawn yarns are characterized by a denier per filament less than 1.5 and are drawn such that the actual draw ratio is within 10 percent of the predicted draw ratio determined according to: [(elongation to break of the feed yarn)+115]/[(elongation to break of the drawn yarn)+115)].

Abstract: A fiber product drawn from an isotactic propylene copolymer of a C2, C4, C5, C6, C7 or C8 &agr;-olefin monomer produced in the presence of a metallocene catalyst characterized by a bridged chiral and stereorigid cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand structure of a transitional metal selected from group 4b, 5b, or 6b metals of the Periodic Table of Elements, the copolymer having a MFR less than 35, suitably about 30 or less. The copolymer is heated to a molten state and extruded to form a fiber preform. The preform is subjected to spinning at a spinning speed of at least 300 meters per minutes and subsequent drawing at a speed of up to about 1500 meters per minute to provide a draw ratio of at least 1.5 up to 5:1 to produce a continuous fiber having high tenacity of about 3.5 grams per denier and greater and good hand.

Abstract: Cellulose containing dope is extruded through orifices and into a stream of gas moving in a direction generally parallel to the direction that the filaments are formed with varying degrees of mechanical attenuation provided to the filaments using a take-up device, such as a winder.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic composite that is encased in a depolymerizable and repolymerizable thermoplastic resin exhibits the strength and stiffness that make the encased composite particularly suitable for a wide array of applications that require very high strength, stiffness, and exceptional impact, together with complex shape. Examples of such applications include bumper beams, pedals, car door structures, instrument panels, and seating structures for automotive use. Other applications include window profiles, skis, ski poles, mast stays, tent poles, concrete reinforcement, crash barriers, window or door lineals, cable trays, cable for optical fibers, bicycle wheels and frames, and pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a low-fibrillation moulded body containing polytetrafluorethylene. The process is characterised in that a pre-moulded body of polytetrafluorethylene is twisted and then pressed flat. The pre-moulded body can be twisted around itself or around another material e.g. a mono- or multifilament or a spun yarn. The invention relates furthermore to a low fibrillation moulded body containing polytetrafluorethylene which can be obtained by means of the process in accordance with the invention and the use of the moulded body in accordance with the invention as dental floss.

Abstract: A for the production of polymeric fibers in the form of a tow includes drawing and heat setting, with and without crimping, in which the tow has a constant denier per inch during the processing. The process permits very large drawn tows to be produced having a thickness of at least 150,000 denier per inch of width during processing through the production equipment/apparatus. The production apparatus includes a conventional stacker, followed by drawing apparatus, followed by heat setting apparatus, and optionally followed by crimping apparatus. Positioning the stacker before the drawing apparatus allows very large tows to be produced using drawing and heat setting apparatus having rolls significantly shorter than is conventionally known.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat setting a traveling tow of synthetic filaments utilizing a high pressure dewatering nip roll mechanism to remove moisture from the tow prior to heat setting. The high pressure dewatering nip roll mechanism includes a pair of nip rollers exerting a pressure of between about 500 and 2000 pounds per linear inch of transverse nip contact on the traveling tow prior to the tow entering a heat setting apparatus such as a calender apparatus. Moisture content of the traveling tow is reduced to less than 10% moisture by weight and preferably less than 5%. Reducing the moisture content of the tow prior to heat setting reduces the energy required to heat set the tow and, contrary to the prevailing wisdom in the art, does not damage the unheat set filaments of the tow.