Abstract: The dissolution of dissolvable components in plural component polymer fibers is achieved by providing a polymer fiber including at least two sections, where at least one fiber section includes a dissolvable component. The rate at which at least part of the fiber dissolves is controlled by at least one of a fiber section having a non-round cross-sectional geometry, and at least two fiber sections including two different dissolvable components. In an exemplary embodiment, island-in-the-sea fibers are formed with non-round and elongated cross-sectional geometries. In another embodiment, sheath-core fibers are formed in which the sheath and core include different dissolvable components.

Abstract: A positive variable resistive yarn having a core, a sheath, and an insulator. The sheath includes distinct electrical conductors intermixed within a thermal expansive low conductive matrix. As the temperature of the yarn increases, the resistance of the sheath increases.

Abstract: Bicomponent fibers of isotactic polypropylene and syndiotactic polypropylene, methods of making such fibers and products made thereof are disclosed. Embodiments of the bicomponent fibers can exhibit self-crimp properties and high shrinkage characteristics.

Abstract: A poly(trimethylene terephthalate)-based conjugate fiber characterized in that the fiber is composed of single filaments which are combined with two polyester components in a side-by-side manner or an eccentric sheath-core manner, that at least one of the two polyester components forming the single filaments is a poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and that the fiber satisfies the following conditions: (1) the stretch elongation of crimp manifested prior to boiling water treatment is 20% or less; (2) the breaking elongation is from 25 to 100%; and (3) the maximum stress value of a dry heat shrinkage stress is from 0.01 to 0.24 cN/dtex.

Abstract: A spontaneously degradable fiber excellent in bulkiness, softness, stretchability and feeling, which comprises (A) a low heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising a high crystalline aliphatic polyester and (B) a high heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising an aliphatic polyester, e.g., a low crystalline or non-crystalline aliphatic polyester, and a block copolymer or a mixture the main component of which is an aliphatic polyester and which comprises a high-melting component and a low-melting component. Further, fibers excellent in self-crimpability or self-adhesion property and dividable fibers are obtained by suitably combining the fiber components (A) and (B) to form conjugated fibers or composite yarns.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire which can manufacture the longest possible wire by connecting relatively short wires with each other and is capable of suppressing reduction of a critical current resulting from influence by strain when the wires connected with each other are bent, an oxide superconducting wire, a superconducting coil and a superconducting apparatus are provided. According to the method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire by superposing end portions of two oxide superconducting wires (1, 2) with each other thereby bonding the end portions and connecting the oxide superconducting wires with each other, a junction (L) formed by superposing the end portions with each other is so worked as to reduce the quantity of strain on an end of the junction (L) when the two oxide superconducting wires (1) and (2) connected with each other are bent.

Abstract: A spontaneously degradable fiber excellent in bulkiness, softness, stretchability and feeling, which comprises (A) a low heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising a high crystalline aliphatic polyester and (B) a high heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising an aliphatic polyester, e.g., a low crystalline or non-crystalline aliphatic polyester, and a block copolymer or a mixture the main component of which is an aliphatic polyester and which comprises a high-melting component and a low-melting component. Further, fibers excellent in self-crimpability or self-adhesion property and dividable fibers are obtained by suitably combining the fiber components (A) and (B) to form conjugated fibers or composite yarns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to long-fiber-reinforced polyolefin structures of length ?3 mm, which comprise a) from 0.1 to 90% by weight of at least one polyolefin other than b), b) from 0.1 to 50% by weight of at least one amorphous cycloolefin polymer, c) from 5.0 to 75% by weight of at least one reinforcing fiber, and d) up to 10.0% by weight of other additives, a process for their production, and moldings produced therefrom. The moldings of the invention have reduced warpage and increased precision of fit.

Abstract: Production of a superconducting tape of the powder-in-tube type comprising multiple filaments (1) of superconducting material embedded in a silver matrix (2) having the properties of a filament thickness of less than about 40 ?m and an overall tape thickness in the range from about 0.45 mm to 1.20 mm. A superconducting power cable including a tubular copper former (3) defining a cooling duct (4) about which superconducting tape is helically laid in two layers of either the same or opposite hand. The cable further includes thermal insulation (5), an electrical screen (6), electrical insulation (7), a further electrical screen (8) and containment (9).

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: A long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet comprises short strands, each of which has a width of from 0.2 to 5 mm and a length of from 10 to 150 mm and is made of a unidirectionally long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin. The short strands are oriented at random and are fixed together at intersections thereof. The long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet has a basis weight of from 30 to 500 g/m2 and is provided with openings therein. The long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet can be produced by evenly spreading and piling up short strands of substantially circular or elliptical sections, and subjecting the short strands to pressureless hot-melt adhesion or to hot-melt compression bonding under pressure such that the sheet has a basis weight of from 30 to 500 g/m2 and is provided with openings therein. The short strands of the substantially circular or elliptical sections have an average diameter of from 0.1 to 1.

Abstract: An anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal synthetic fiber that comprises various thermoplastic polymers and additives in a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. The fibers can incorporate anti-microbial additives so that they are not removed by repeating washing in boiling water and in dry clean cycles and become ineffective and conversely enhance access to the additives by washing or the like. The fibers comprise high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament. In the dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament, which comprises easy soluble polymer as a sea component and polyester as an island component, the island component contains a dope dyed component selected from the group consisting of carbon black, pigments and dyestuffs and the temperature range (T?-T?) showing more than 95% of the maximum thermal stress of yarns is from 120° C. to 210° C. The dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament of the present invention has an excellent thermal shrinkage property and excellent wash fastness and light fastness, and the dyeing process thereof can be omitted after producing a woven or knitted fabric because a dope dyed component is contained in the island component (ultra fine yarn). The dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament of the present invention is useful as yarns for warp knit fabrics used in production of women's apparel.

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

Abstract: A composite material includes a ceramic matrix and two different fractions of fiber bundles, namely a reinforcing fiber bundle fraction and a matrix fiber bundle fraction having different average fiber bundle lengths. The fractions of fiber bundles are separated in a total fiber bundle distribution relative to a fiber bundle length by a minimum. A method for manufacturing a composite material and a method for manufacturing elements formed of a composite material are also provided.

Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided which is formed from continuous multiple component filaments which include a polyester component and a polyethylene component. The polyethylene component is a blend of high density polyethylene and a first linear low density polyethylene. The spunbond filaments are preferably formed in a sheath-core configuration with the polyester component in the core and the polyethylene component in the sheath. Composite sheets are provided which include the multiple component spunbond layer and a meltblown layer, wherein the meltblown fibers include a second linear low density polyethylene. The linear low density polyethylenes are preferably formed by polymerization of ethylene with an alpha-olefin co-monomer, where the same co-monomer is used in each of the first and second linear low density polyethylenes.

Abstract: A melt spinnable multicomponent fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a starch insolubilizing agent and a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising destructurized starch and a plasticizer. The insolubilizing agent acts on the starch of the second component to render the starch less soluble when the fiber is exposed to water. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A splittable yarns, fiber or filaments and a method and device for their production. The yarns, fiber or filaments includes at least two elementary filaments of a first polymer A and each second elementary filament is sheathed with a second polymer B.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a foil of synthetic material composed of a first synthetic compound and a second synthetic compound, in which the first synthetic compound consists of a polymer and the second synthetic compound consists of a plastomer. The invention also relates to a synthetic fibre and to an artificial lawn suitable for sports fields, consisting of a substrate to which synthetic fibres according to the invention are fixed. Surprisingly, it has become apparent that when the fibres are according to the invention made from a combination of synthetic materials in which the first synthetic compound is a polymer and the second synthetic compound is a plastomer, the fibres will only exhibit a very minor any tendency to split, or even no such tendency at all, not even after stretching, also in the case of very intensive use in an artificial lawn.

Abstract: A core/sheath conjugate fiber comprises a sheath component B of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and a core component A of a different thermoplastic polymer. In its cross section, the core component A has at least 10 projections or exists as an aligned group of at least 10 flattened cross-section core components, the distance (I) between the neighboring projections or between the neighboring flattened cross-section core components is at most 1.

Abstract: A fiber containing a longitudinal core (I) of a polymer and a chemically different surrounding sheath (II), wherein said sheath (II) is based on a polyamide containing a sterically hindered piperidine derivative (III) attached to the polymer chain by chemical bonding.

Abstract: A self-crimping multicomponent fiber is manufactured utilizing the same-polymer components including at least one polymer component having a higher viscosity than at least one other polymer component. Crimping of the fiber is induced during fiber formation by achieving an effective crystallinity differential between the differing viscosity polymer components. The effective crystallinity differential may be obtained by varying a number of parameters during fiber formation, including the viscosity differential between polymer components and the transverse cross-sectional geometries of the differing viscosity components. Other factors, such as selecting a suitable drawing tension for the fiber can influence the crystallinity differential between differing viscosity components and thus resultant fiber crimp.

Abstract: This invention relates to a heat conductive resin substrate which polybenzasol fibers are oriented in a thick direction and/or a direction of a surface of a resin substrate, further to the heat conductive resin substrate and a semiconductor package excellent in heat radiation ability which the semiconductor chips are mounted on the heat conductive resin substrate which the polybenzasol fibers are oriented in the thick direction (the Z direction) and/or the direction of the surface of the resin substrate, the heat conductive resin substance and the semiconductor package being provided with electrical insulation and high thermal conductivity, and being capable of controlling the thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: A spinneret (140) for extruding side-by-side bicomponent fibers includes a spinneret hole (148) having a cross-sectional shape transverse to the direction of polymer flow that is asymmetric with respect to the arrangement of the side-by-side streams of polymer components therein. The lower viscosity component flows through a portion of the spinneret hole having a higher perimeter-to-area cross-sectional shape than the portion of the spinneret hole through which the higher viscosity component through which the lower viscosity component flows. The increased surface area (i.e., cross-sectional perimeter) of the spinneret hole contacting the lower viscosity polymer flow compensates for the viscosity differential between the polymer components that would otherwise result in dogleg bending of the extrudate.

Abstract: Provided are an organic fiber filler-containing polypropylene resin composition providing an article which is excellent in a moldability and a strength and an article obtained from the same. The organic fiber filler-containing polypropylene resin composition comprises a polypropylene resin satisfying the following equation and an organic fiber filler in a proportion of 1 to 250 parts by weight of the filler per 100 parts by weight of the resin composition: log MT>4.24×log [&eegr;]−1.2  (1) wherein MT represents a melt tension (unit: cN) of the polypropylene resin at 230° C., and [&eegr;] represents a intrinsic viscosity (unit: dl/g) of the polypropylene resin measured in tetralin at 135° C.

Abstract: A hetero-composite yarn useful in making garments comprises a combined biconstituent yarn and a companion yarn, wherein the biconstituent yarn comprises an axial core comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer, and a plurality of wings attached to the core and comprising a thermoplastic, non-elastomeric polymer.

Abstract: A bicomponent fiber comprising one thermoplastic polymer component comprising nonstarch, thermoplastic polymer and one thermoplastic starch component comprising a destructured starch and a plasticizer. The thermoplastic polymer component surrounds the thermoplastic starch component. Also provided are nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibers (e.g. for nonwovens) that have high elongation to break at moderate to low fiber diameters. This is accomplished by spinning splittable multicomponent fibers under appropriate conditions to produce large diameter, low orientation fibers which can then be split into smaller segments that maintain the properties of the parent fiber. Thus, fibers are produced having elongations significantly higher than if a fiber of that same size had been spun directly.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fibers. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber:cellulose fiber bonding versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: A bristle for brushware or brushes is described. The bristle is produced through cutting an extruded monofilament to length and tapers towards its useful end to form a kind of tip. The bristle is characterized in that it consists of at least two coextruded plastic components and has a shaft of a soft, elastic plastic material and a core of a harder elastic plastic material. The core projects past the shaft at its useful end thereby forming the tip. The bristle can also have a reinforcing jacket which surounds the shaft of the envelope. A method for producing such bristles is also described.

Abstract: A polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) filament yarn capable of being produced by a high speed spinning method and having a high residual elongation and excellent draw-false twisting processability includes 0.5 to 4.0% by mass of filament elongation enhancing agent particles which are drawn-oriented in the filaments along the longitudinal direction thereof and have a thermal deformation temperature of 40° C. or more but less than 105° C., an average particle size D of 0.03 to 0.35 &mgr;m determined in the cross-sections of the filaments and a ratio L/D of the average particle length L in the filament longitudinal direction to the average cross-sectional particle size D of 2 to 20; and the filament yarn exhibits an increase in the residual elongation of 30% or more due to the presence of the filament elongation enhancing agent, a birefringence &Dgr;n of 0.02 to 0.07, a retaining elongation of 60 to 250% and a thermal stress peak value of 0.18 cN/dtex or less.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fabric comprises a plurality of functional monofilaments shaped to provide anchoring of a coating applied to the fabric and exhibits improved resistance to peeling away of the coating from the fabric. The second embodiment is a fabric comprised of a plurality of bicomponent monofilaments having a first component with at least one receptacle containing a second component, and the fabric exhibiting improved gripping compared to fabric constructed of conventional monofilaments. Methods for making the monofilaments and fabrics are also described.

Abstract: Flame-resistant insulation may be prepared by coating a glass fiber substrate, such as a fiberglass board, with an aqueous dispersion of vermiculite and expandable graphite. The insulation may also be pre-coated with a vermiculite dispersion prior to coating with a vermiculite/expandable graphite coating, and the vermiculite/expandable graphite coating may be covered with an FSK facing, or with a gypsum or portland cement layer. The resulting coated insulation board has superior flame resistance, and may be used as a component of a building or in vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic fiber blend and methods for its use comprising a first fiber component formed of a homopolymer polypropylene fiber and a second fiber component being a copolymer formed of a polypropylene and a high density polyethylene. The first fiber component is fibrillated and the second fiber component is a twisted bundle comprised of multiple strands of a nonfibrillating monofilament. The synthetic fiber blend imparts improved reinforcement properties to the building materials to which they are added. In particular, the synthetic fiber blend when incorporated into a building material provides reduced permeability, increased fatigue strength, improved toughness, and reduced plastic shrinkage. The unique combination of the twisted second fiber component blended with the first fiber component provides improved mixability and uniform distribution of the synthetic fiber blend in cementitious materials.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive color-changeable composite fiber comprising a phase-(A) thermochromic resin phase formed of a polyolefin resin in which a thermochromic material and an adhesive resin having a molecular weight of 200 to 10,000 or a copolymer resin of an olefin with a unit monomer capable of forming a polymer having a solubility parameter (SP value) of 9.0 or more have been dispersed or dissolved, and a phase-(B) resin phase selected from nylon 12, a copolymer nylon, polyhexamethylene terephthalate and a saturated aliphatic polyester; the phase-(A) and the phase-(B) being joined to each other. This fiber can satisfy the glossiness and touch of fibers, and color changes caused by temperature changes can clearly be sighted thereon. It also can enhance commercial value of various fiber materials and that of wigs for doles and so form, making use of such a fiber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multicomponent fibers. The fibers may be in a side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea configuration, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: Splittable multicomponent fibers, to split fibers made from such splittable fibers, to a processes for making such splittable and split fibers, and to nonwovens and other substrates made form the split fibers. The splittable multicomponent fibers can comprise one component comprising thermoplastic starch and another component comprising a non-starch thermoplastic polymer, wherein: (i) said second component is capable of being split or removed from said first component to provide at least one split fiber consisting essentially of said first component; and (ii) wherein the split fiber of said first component can have good elongation properties. The splittable multicomponent fibers can also provide split fibers of the thermoplastic starch component.

Abstract: A flat hernia implant with a flexible fabric formed from at least two textile fabric structures constructed substantially independently of one another and firmly interconnected over the entire surface area of the hernia implant so as to form a composite structure, is made available for use in surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole that includes a polyamide in the form of powder or microfibers admixed with a thermoplastic base material to improve the strength, durability, abrasion resistance, and other desirable physical properties of the shoe sole. Suitable thermoplastic base materials include rubber, polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. The polyamide microfibers are randomly and nonuniformly oriented to reinforce the shoe sole in all directions.

Abstract: Fibers are disclosed which include a polymeric nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material includes a polymeric resin matrix and a plurality of nanosized platelet particles dispersed therein.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polyester fiber is supplied with an aqueous mixed dispersion on the surface and made hydrophilic by being heated at 35° C. or higher, and the aqueous mixed dispersion employed contains a polyester-polyether block copolymer composed of a polyester component and a polyether component and is stable at lower than 35° C. and precipitates the polyester-polyether block copolymer when its dispersion state is broken by being heated to 35° C. or higher.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are directed to a sheath core fiber with a core and a sheath that comprises a fluoropolymer. Contemplated sheath materials include PVDF, ECTFE, and ETFE, and may have an apparent shear viscosity equal to or less than the apparent shear viscosity of the core material. Especially contemplated sheaths have a weight of 30% or less of the weight of the fiber. Preferred fibers are spun in a spin pack having a sheath material conduit with a ratio of open volume to sheath material mass flow of less than 0.75 for a fiber with a 30 wt % sheath, of less than 1.15 for a fiber with a 20 wt % sheath, and of less than 2.

Abstract: A method of forming 3-dimensional fibers is disclosed along with a web formed from such fibers. The method includes the steps of co-extruding a first component and a second component. The first component has a recovery percentage R1 and the second component has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2. The first and second components are directed through a spin pack to form a plurality of continuous molten fibers. The molten fibers are then routed through a quenching chamber to form a plurality of continuous cooled fibers. The cooled fibers are then routed through a draw unit to form a plurality of continuous, solid linear fibers. The solid fibers are then accumulated and stretched by at least about 50 percent. The plurality of stretched fibers are then cut and allowed to relax such that a plurality of 3-dimensional, coiled fibers is formed.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to dyed melamine fabrics and methods for dyeing melamine fabrics. In one arrangement, the fabrics comprise a plurality of melamine fibers, wherein the flame resistant fabric has been dyed through a beam dyeing process in which the fabric has not been mechanically agitated. In one arrangement, the methods comprise the steps of wrapping melamine fabric around a perforated beam of a beam dyeing machine such that several layers of fabric surround the beam, injecting dyebath into the beam so that it penetrates the fabric layers, and circulating the dyebath through the fabric layers until the fabric is dyed to a desired shade.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs in accordance with the present invention include multicomponent fibers bonded by a multiplicity of bond sites to form a coherent web. The multicomponent fibers include a first component formed of a hydrophobic polypropylene and a second component formed of a blend of a hydrophobic polyolefin and a hydrophilic melt additive. This second component is disposed at the surface of the fibers. The hydrophilic melt additive-modified polyolefin component can be arranged in various configurations in the cross-section of the fiber and the fibers can have various cross sections. For example, the hydrophilic component can occupy a portion of the surface of the fiber, as would occur for example with a side-by-side or segmented pie multicomponent fiber configuration. Alternatively, the modified hydrophilic polyolefin can occupy substantially the entire surface of fiber, as for example by producing the fibers in a sheath core configuration with the hydrophilic modified component forming the sheath.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary or foam products by flash spinning in selected spin agents a polymer from the group consisting of poly (1,3-propylene terephthalate), poly (1,4-butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), including their copolymers in which the spin agents have minimal or no ozone-depleting properties.

Abstract: A positive variable resistive yarn having a core, a sheath, and an insulator. The sheath includes distinct electrical conductors intermixed within a thermal expansive low conductive matrix. As the temperature of the yarn increases, the resistance of the sheath increases.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional fiber is disclosed that is constructed from first and second components. The first component is capable of being stretched and has a recovery percentage R1. The second component is also capable of being stretched and has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2. The first and second components are combined to form a linear fiber having an initial length that can be stretched at least 50%. The stretched fiber has the ability to retract to a length of from about 5% to about 90% of the stretched length to form a 3-dimensional fiber that exhibits elongation properties of at least 250% in at least one direction from the retracted length before the fiber becomes linear. A web formed from a plurality of 3-dimensional fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber composition which comprises a blend of modified polypropylene and modified poly(ethylene oxide). This fiber composition can be melt-processed to make fibers useful in flushable personal care products. A process for making this fiber composition is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-structural filament comprises a single ingredient having two or more morphologies after extrusion through a die pack wherein one discrete region of the filament comprises one morphology of the ingredient and at least another discrete region of the filament comprises another morphology of the same ingredient, and wherein each region of the filament comprises at least about 7 percent of the filament. A process for the production of the filament is also described.