Patent ID: 6706396
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: B29B,B29K,C08G,C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for producing a polymer in cylindrical particulate form having an inherent viscosity within the range of about 0.20 dL/g to about 0.45 dL/g, comprising providing one aromatic compound selected from the group consisting of terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and lower esters and acid chlorides thereof; contacting, under polymerization conditions, said aromatic compound with one aliphatic diol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol, to copolymerize said aromatic dicarboxylic acid with said aliphatic diol and to form a molten polymer; extruding the molten polymer through a die plate into strands; passing the molten strands through an air gap of less than about 4 inches onto a water slide; quenching the strands with a cooling medium; and pelletizing the strands to form cylindrical particles.