Abstract: A process for producing industrial denier filaments of a thermoplastic polymer at higher rates of production than those using liquid quenching media is disclosed. Liquid polymer is extruded in the form of hollow filaments at a throughput and rate of take up that produces individual filaments of greater than about 30 denier. A flow of gas is then directed at the liquid filaments at a flow rate and temperature that are sufficient to quench and solidify the individual filaments in the absence of any other quenching fluid. The filaments formed by the disclosed process have larger diameters than solid filaments of the same denier.

Abstract: The high-purity, opaque quartz glass containing 3.times.10.sup.6 -9.times.10.sup.6 of closed cells having an average size of 20-40 .mu.m per 1 cm.sup.3, a ratio of closed cells having sizes of 100 .mu.m or more to the whole of cells being 1% or less, thereby showing 5% or less of linear transmittance for near infrared rays (.lambda.=900 nm) at a thickness of 1 mm is produced by compacting amorphous silica powder having an average particle size of 0.5-10 .mu.m, in which each of impurities selected from Li, Na, K, Fe, Ti and Al is 1 ppm or less, if any, and sintering the resultant green body at 1730.degree.-1850.degree. C.

Abstract: A post-coalescence melt-spinning process for preparing fine undrawn hollow polyester filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity at high speeds (2-5 km/min) involving selection of polymer viscosity and spinning conditions, whereby the void content of the resulting new undrawn filaments is essentially maintained or increased on cold-drawing or hot-drawing with or without post heat treatment, and the new fine hollow polyester filaments obtained thereby.

Abstract: An elongated structural element includes an external tubular casing (11) with the hollow interior space filled with a polymer binder (12) containing a plurality of elongated parallel continuous strands of fiber reinforcement material (13) extending lengthwise of the element. A method for preparing such an element is provided by filling a preformed tubular casing (11) with a polymer binder (12) in liquid form in which is dispersed the fiber reinforcement material (13) and allowing the polymer binder to solidify. The element may be initially shaped prior to solidification or reheated into another shape such as a helical coil or spring. An internal casing (29) can also be used where the fiber reinforcement strands (13) are between the external and internal casings (11) and (29).

Abstract: A pad for cleaning up liquid spills is described which contains a porous surface covering, and an absorbent interior containing chemically reactive reagents for neutralizing noxious chemicals within the spilled liquid. The porous surface and the absorbent component would normally consist of chemically resistant materials allowing tentative spill to pass. The absorbent interior which contains the neutralizing reagents can but is not required to be chemically resilient and conducts the liquid chemical spill towards the absorbent interior containing the chemically reactive reagents where the dangerous and undesirable chemicals within the chemical spill are then neutralized as well as removed from the premises.

Abstract: PVP-coated asymmetric hollow fibers made from SIXEFT.TM.-Durene, a polyimide made from 2,2-bis[3,4-dicarboxyphenyl] hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenylene diamine monomers, and a process for making such fibers. These coated fibers have a separation factor that exceeds 6 for oxygen and nitrogen and a permeance of at least about 10 ppm cc(STP)/(sec cm.sup.2 cm-Hg). A polymer dope comprising SIXEF.TM.-Durene in a solvent system containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone ("NMP") and an organic acid such as propionic acid ("PA") is prepared by polymerizing the polyimide monomers in NMP to form a polyamic acid polymer and imidizing this polymer using the acid anhydride. Water released from the polymer in the imidization reaction converts the anhydride to acid. The dope is wet-spun into hollow fibers; the fibers are coagulated in water. The fibers are then evenly coated with PVP, preferably by dipping the fibers in a dilute PVP solution.

Abstract: To manufacture airbags comprising a contact fabric and/or a filter fabric it is proposed to use hollow fiber synthetic filament yarns having a hollow area fraction of 10-40%, based on the total cross-sectional area of the fiber. The closeness values are >72% for the contact fabric and 45-68% for the filter fabric. In addition to reducing the production costs, hollow fibers also make it possible to produce lighter fabrics. These have a beneficial effect on the working of an airbag.

Abstract: Silver-plated aramid fibers are disclosed having a core of sulfonated aramid, an outer layer of continuous silver, and a zone of impregnation therebetween made up of domains of silver metal dispersed in a matrix of sulfonated aramid; and a process for making such fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous polypropylene hollow fiber membrane of large pore diameter which have (a) rectangular pores formed by microfibrils that are oriented in the lengthwise direction of the fibers and joint portions that are composed of stacked lamellae, the pores being contiguous with each other from the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface of the hollow fiber membrane to form a stacked, multicellular structure, (b) an average pore diameter ranging from 1.7 .mu.m up to 10 .mu.m as measured with a mercury porosimeter, (c) a porosity of 80 to 95%, and (d) an air permeability of not less than 4.times.10.sup.5 l/m.sup.2.hr.0.5 atm. This hollow fiber membrane can be produced by melt-spinning polypropylene, annealing the resulting unstretched hollow fiber under specific conditions, and then cold-stretching and hot-stretching the annealed hollow fiber under specific conditions.

Abstract: Fiberfill and/or multi-void fibers are identified and/or differentiated by one or more voids being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: Fiberfill and/or multi-void fibers are identified and/or differentiated by one or more voids being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate fiber containing a polyolefin and a polyamide selected from polycaprolactam, copolymers of caprolactam and hexamethylene adipamide, hydrophilic copolymers of caprolactam and ethylene oxide diamine, and blends thereof, wherein the polyamide has a number average molecular weight up to about 16,500. Further provided are a nonwoven fabric produced from the conjugate fiber and the process of producing the nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: Hollow polyester undrawn filaments having excellent mechanical quality and uniformity are prepared by a simplified post-coalescence melt spinning process at speeds of e.g. 2-5 km/min by selection of polymer and spinning conditions whereby the void content of the undrawn filaments can be essentially maintained or even increased when drawn cold or hot, with or without post heat-treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polycarbonate-based block polymer, and to fibers and bioresorbable implantable medical devices fabricated from said fibers.

Abstract: Hollow fibers are differentiated by their void being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: Triangular thermoplastic polymer filaments having 3 or 3 pair axially extending voids located along the convex sides of the filament and spinneret plates for producing such filaments.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of producing self-texturing filaments that exhibit a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig zag. The method comprises directing a quenching fluid at extruded hollow filaments of a liquid polymer predominantly from one side of the hollow filaments to thereby produce hollow filaments with different orientations on each side. Thereafter the temperature of the hollow filaments is raised to a temperature sufficient for the filaments to relax, but less than the temperature at which the filaments would shrink.

Abstract: A hollow extrudate includes a long belt-shaped member produced by extrusion and having hollow portions extending in a longitudinal direction of the member wherein an outer surface of a cross-section of a wall forming the hollow portion orthogonal to the longitudinal direction has a substantially constant shape in the longitudinal direction. The member includes a solid portion extending in the longitudinal direction and interconnecting the hollow portions, the solid portion forming a reinforced portion of the member. The solid portion is formed by enlarging the walls of the hollow portion. The member also includes a first and second extruded region which are pressed together to form the hollow portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient removal of low density lipoprotein cholesterol complex (LDL-C) from whole blood. More specifically, it relates to a process for making a microporous plasmapheresis membrane having an immobilized affinity agent. The immobilized affinity agent is polyacrylic acid bound directly and/or through an interaction with silica and/or calcium chloride to a microporous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for modifying fabric and fiber by impaction with particles that create axially aligned micro-cracks and increased porosity allowing penetration of dyestuffs into the fiber or fabric without the need for swelling agents or carriers.

Abstract: By mixing a high-melting polyvinyl alcohol type polymer (A) and a low-melting water-soluble polymer (B) in a solvent for the polymer (A) to prepare a spinning solution and then subjecting the solution to low-temperature spinning so that the resulting filaments are solidified uniformly in the cross-sectional direction, there is formed a fiber of sea-islands structure comprising said high-melting polyvinyl alcohol type polymer (A) as the sea component and said low-melting water-soluble polymer (B) as the islands component. In this fiber, at least part of the islands component is present in a fiber zone ranging from the fiber surface to 2 .mu.m inside and the fiber surface contains substantially no islands component. This fiber ordinarily shows the performance of the matrix phase, i.e.

Abstract: Hollow fibers are differentiated by their void being partially filled with a differentiating characteristic that is a protuberance of characterizing polymer material. This material may be the same or different from that of the rest of the fiber. The protuberance is provided by appropriate adjustment of the spinning capillary, i.e., during extrusion to form the fiber.

Abstract: A soft body armor material with enhanced puncture resistance is fabricated from knitted light weight, durable fibers, such as aramid fibers. The knitted portions are joined by interwoven portions providing an integrally formed hinge-like effect for flexibility. A deflection shield formed from a thin mesh of stainless steel or titanium wire or a sheet of light weight metal, such as titanium, with corrugations or dimples on the externally facing surface provides additional penetration resistance for sharp pointed objects. An inner resilient trauma shield and a removable moisture absorbing inner layer are also optionally included. Hollow fibers are employed in some of the layers to provide a ventilation or cooling capability, and fibers having an electrically resistive component can be employed in conjunction with a battery to provide resistance heating for warmth and moisture dissipation.

Abstract: A bundle of hollow fibers of uniform diameter, particularly for use in dialysis is formed of a plurality of parallel hollow fibres at least a part of which, prior to the formation of the bundle, is permanently undulated by means of interleaved undulating elements moving opposite the feeding direction of freshly extruded fibres. The undulating elements are in the form of cylindrical rods having a substantially larger diameter than the outer diameter of the fibres so that the wavelength and amplitude of the resulting undulations are substantially larger than the outer diameter of the fibres.

Abstract: A polyamide hollow and/or non-circular fiber containing a metal salt of a saturated fatty acid having at least 10 carbon atoms, wherein the amount (X) of a terminal carboxyl group is not larger than 60 gram equivalent per 1,000 kg of the polyamide and the amount (Y) (in parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polyamide) of the metal salt of a saturated fatty acid satisfies the following formula:Y.gtoreq.0.00871X-0.13wherein X is the amount of the terminal carboxyl group in gram equivalent/1,000 kg of the polyamide.

Abstract: An implantable porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified by the removal of fibrils from the surface so that under magnification the surface has the appearance of freestanding node portions not interconnected by fibrils but rather having open valleys disposed between the freestanding node portions. Unmodified material beneath the surface maintains the original microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. The depth of fibril removal from the surface is substantially a function of the duration and amount of energy applied to the surface.

Abstract: A spacer made of plastic material for building components, having at least two spaced apart panes that are fixedly connected to one another, consists of a hollow profiled member that is positioned between the panes. The hollow profiled member has sidewalls facing the panes, an interior wall facing the interior chamber between the panes, and an exterior wall facing outwardly. At least one first insert for inhibiting water vapor diffusion is provided. The at least one first insert is embedded in the sidewalls and the exterior wall. A second insert is embedded in the interior wall and is preferably of a material that inhibits water vapor diffusion, preferably a thin-walled foil made of metal or plastic.

Abstract: Pillows and other filled articles are filled with bicomponent polyester fibers that have "spiral crimp" on account of a difference in chain-branched content of the polyester polymers of the components. Such bicomponent fibers are preferably novel hollow "spiral crimp" bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a fibrous texture for producing a composite material article. The fibrous texture is formed of a yarn comprising discontinuous fibers which are made of a refractory material or a precursor thereof. The discontinuous fibers are disposed parallel to one another, without twist. A covering yarn made of a fugitive material is disposed over the discontinuous fibers to provide integrity to the yarn. The covering yarn is eliminated after formation of the fibrous texture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn guidance rod 1 and to a device for the laying of a yarn on a cross-wound bobbin in a textile machine 8.A plurality of winding stations installed next to each other is serviced by a yarn guidance rod made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic which can be moved back and forth. The yarn guidance rod 1 is provided with a sheathing 3. The yarn guidance rod 1 has segments made of a highly heat-expandable material in order to achieve heat compensation.

Abstract: A multi-lobal composite filament with reduced stainability having a polyamide core being substantially free of amine end-groups and being surrounded by a sheath of a hydrophobic polymer of aromatic polyesters, aliphatic polyesters, polyethylene, polymethylpentent, polybutene, polymethyl butene and copolymers thereof, wherein the weight ratio between core and sheath is from about 2:1 to about 10:1. These filaments are particularly useful to the manufacture of carpets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for edge coating amorphous ribbon transformer cores comprising the steps of applying to at least one face exclusive of the distributed gap portion, a first porous material having a porosity sufficient to permit a liquid having a viscosty greater than about 100,000 cps to impregnate the porous material to produce a composite structure; and applying a bonding material having a viscosity of at least about 100,000 cps to the first porous material such that the bonding material substantially contacts the core. Coated cores having good magnetic properties are also disclosed.

Abstract: Porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils wherein a surface of the material has been modified to have increased hydrophobicity as indicated by having a water droplet roll-off angle of less than about 10 degrees in comparison to a typical roll-off angle of greater than about 12 degrees for the unmodified material. Under magnification, the surface morphology may be indistinguishable from that of the unmodified precursor material. The modification is preferably done by exposing the surface to radio frequency gas plasma discharge with a reactive etching gas for a lengthy amount of time such as about ten minutes. If surface etching is continued beyond a time adequate to produce the highly hydrophobic behavior, then the surface morphology includes the appearance of broken fibrils.

Abstract: A structural member of fiber reinforced composite material suitable for secondary processing and a method of processing is described. The structural member before secondary processing is typically a multi-ply tube, rod, or sheet formed with an outer sheath of fiber reinforced thermoplastic material having a melting temperature t.sub.m1 and an inner core material, also fiber reinforced thermoplastic, having a melting temperature, t.sub.m2 lower than t.sub.m1. The member, prior to secondary processing, is thermoplastic.In a secondary process the member is heated to a temperature between t.sub.m1 and t.sub.m2, but sufficient to render the outer sheath malleable. The member is deformed to a desired geometry, such as a helix, and cooled to a hardened state.

Abstract: A hollow polysulfonic fiber intended for a selectively transmissive membrane contains a hydrophilic polymer which is cross-linked into a water-insoluble form (for example polyvinylpyrrolidone) and is used in the form of a hydrogel containing water. A method for the production of a membrane module consists in spinning a hollow fiber by the use of a spinning solution containing a polysulfonic resin and a hydrophilic polymer, wetting the fiber above the saturated moisture content, and then, with the wet condition maintained, subjecting the fiber to the processes of module molding and radiation induced cross-linking, these processes being performed in either order. The method provides a selectively transmissive hollow polysulfone fiber membrane which displays less elution into water and a sharp molecular weight fractionation, so as to be usable safely in the fields of medicine and foodstuffs.

Abstract: Flat continuous multifilament nylon apparel yarns suitable for critical dye applications and a process for making such yarns are provided. The process for making the yarns includes spinning nylon polymer with a relative viscosity between about 35 and about 80 and stabilizing to make a feed yarn. The withdrawal speed in spinning is sufficiently high that highly uniform feed yarns are provided. In the process, feed yarn is drawn and subsequently relaxed, preferably in the form of a warp of yarns, so that the resulting drawn yarns have properties suitable for use as flat yarns and have excellent dye uniformity with large molecule acid dyes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient removal of low density lipoprotein cholesterol complex (LDL-C) from whole blood. More specifically, it relates to a microporous plasmapheresis support having an immobilized affinity agent. The immobilized affinity agent is polyacrylic acid bound directly and/or through an interaction with silica and/or calcium chloride to a microporous polysulfone support.

Abstract: A resin-coated, bonding fine wire for use in forming bonded electrical connections on a semiconductor device, wherein the wire is characterized as having a tensile strength exceeded when the wire is further elongated in length in a range of 0.5% to 3.5% of its original length by breaking of the wire during tension testing. It has been determined that an insulated bonding fine wire exhibiting such relatively low ductility produces a loop profile maintainable in a stable condition during a bonding operation while providing reliable bonding strength.

Abstract: Asymmetric hollow fibers of SIXEF.TM.-Durene, a polyimide made from 2,2-bis[3,4-dicarboxyphenyl] hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenylene diamine monomers, and a process for making such fibers. These uncoated fibers have a separation factor that exceeds 4 for oxygen and nitrogen and a permeance of at least about 50 ppm cc(STP)/(sec cm.sup.2 cm-Hg). A polymer dope comprising SIXEF.TM.-Durene in a solvent system containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone ("NMP") and an organic acid such as propionic acid ("PA") is prepared by polymerizing the polyimide monomers in NMP to form a polyamic acid polymer and imidizing this polymer using the acid anhydride. Water released from the polymer in the imidization reaction converts the anhydride to the organic acid. The dope is wet-spun into hollow fibers using a core solvent such as PA or glycerine; the fibers are coagulated in water.

Abstract: A novel composition comprising a metal or ceramic matrix material includes a reinforcing system of hollow, similarly aligned carbon-coated ceramic fibers which provide high strength, increased creep resistance and a significant reduction in weight. Also disclosed is a novel structural component incorporating the reinforcing system of hollow fibers to provide a mechanism enabling fluids or gases to pass or be injected through the element fibers for cooling or other functions. A method for fabricating the hollow fiber-reinforced component is also disclosed. Various applications for the fiber-reinforced structural component are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elongated structural element having an outer tubular casing with the hollow interior space filled with a plastic binder containing a plurality of elongated parallel strands of fiber reinforcement material extending lengthwise of the element; and a method for preparing such an element by filling a preformed tubular casing with a plastic binder in liquid form dispersed in which are parallel strands of reinforcing fibrous material, and allowing the plastic binder to solidify.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrically conductive fibers which include zinc oxide particles having a substantially rod shape.

Abstract: Antiabrasion curved section made of reinforced curved plastic material and comprising in at least one of a lower portion and an upper portion in antiabrasion material. A plurality of antiabrasion sections are produced inside a profiled mold having a plurality of grooves in which is arranged the antiabrasion material of the lower faces. Reinforced filaments impregnated with a stabilizable resin are supplied to the mold and, finally, the antiabrasion material of the upper faces is applied. The mold is wound on a mandrel and the plastic material is stabilized before removing the mold sections which form a unitary assembly dividable particulary during the stranding of arm rings.

Abstract: There is provided a non-flammable expanded fiber comprising carbonaceous polymeric substantially irreversibly heat set fiber having an LOI value of greater than 40, and the fibrous structures thereof. Also, provided are stabilized expanded polymeric fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides improved synthetic filaments having a trilobal or tetralobal cross-sectional shape with convex curves along the contour of each lobe, and wherein a continuous void extends axially through each lobe. The filaments are especially suitable for making carpets which exhibit low glitter and have high bulk and excellent soil hiding performance.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing polyamide hollow filaments wherein an N,N'-dialkyl polycarbonamide is melt blended with the molten fiber-forming polyamide prior to spinning into filaments. The polycarbonamide substantially decreases the collapsing of the voids which naturally occurs immediately .after spinning and before the filaments are completely cool.

Abstract: Continuous synthetic filaments having a four sided cross-sectional contour and four substantially equispaced continuous voids are disclosed. The voids have a substantially round or nonround shape, and each void is substantially centered on a side of the filament's contour.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical grade port tubing. The medical grade port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a non-PVC coextruded medical grade port tubing including: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer including a blend of polyamide and ethylene vinyl acetate.

Abstract: The invention is to a non-woven fabric sheet for a storage battery separator. The sheet has an excellent property of holding electrolyte by using conjugate fibers having a specific sectional form. The sheet comprises an ethylene copolymer having a specific structure which can introduce a desirable amount of sulfo groups efficiently under mild reaction conditions. Conjugate fibers having a split sectional form include a first component and a second component having a radial arrangement. The conjugate fibers are obtained by forming an ethylene based random copolymer containing a unit represented by a formula --CH.sub.2 CH(COOH)--, with polypropylene. Subsequently, a non-woven fabric sheet of a thermally bonding type is obtained by mixing the conjugate fibers with polypropoylene fibers. Subsequently, a non-woven fabric sheet for a storage battery separator is obtained by sulfonating the non-woven fabric sheet using gas such as SO.sub.3 to form a unit of the formula --CH.sub.2 C(SO.sub.3 H)(COOH)--.

Abstract: This invention offers a unique method to fabricate unique, straight, curved, or coiled tubes as small as 5 nanometers in diameter with wall thicknesses starting at about 1 nanometer. These tubes can be made from many materials such as polymers, ceramics and metals that can be applied to a surface of carbon, glass, or other tube forming fibers and then made to withstand the environment used to remove the fiber.