Patent GB-1230195-A (GB)
IPC: D01F8/14
Filed: 1968-05-30
Abstract: 1,230,195. Composite filaments. TORAY INDUSTRIES Inc. 30 May, 1968, No. 25950/68. Heading B5B. Composite filaments or fibres comprise at least two different polymeric components arranged in intimate mutual contact along the fibre length, and at least one of the said components is a fibre-forming polyester, or comprises a major proportion thereof, and at least one other of the said components is a polyalkylene ether-polyamide-block-copolymer, (defined as a polymer containing at least one linear polyamide block joined to at least one polyalkylene ether block, whatever the method used for forming the copolymer), or a mixture of said block copolymer with a fibre-forming polyamide, the polyalkylene ether segment content of the copolymer or mixture being 3 to 85% by weight, and the polyalkylene ether segment content of the composite filaments or fibres being 0À3 to 30% by weight. Preferably the polyalkylene ether segment content of the polyether - polyamide-block - copolymer or mixture with the polyamide is 8 to 60% by weight, the polyalkylene ether segment content of the filaments or fibres is 0À8 to 30% by weight, and the average number of alkylene oxide units in the recurring polyalkylene ether segments is 20 to 180, and especially 25 to 140. The polyester component may be a block-copolymer comprising polyester segments and linear polyamide segments, the polyamide segment content of the polyester-containing block-copolymer being not more than 30% by weight. Suitable polyamide and polyester precursors used in the production of the fibres are listed. In twocomponent composite fibres, the polyester component preferably comprises 90 to 30 weight per cent of the fibre, especially 80 to 50 weight per cent. When more than two components are employed, at least 10 weight per cent of each component should be present. In a preferred form, composite filaments or fibres comprise at least two polymeric components arranged in side-by-side relationship along the fibre length, the polyalkylene ether segment content of the polyether-polyamide-block-copolymer being 8 to 85% by weight, and the polyalkylene ether segment content of the composite filaments or fibres being 0À8 to 30% by weight. In such fibres the polyalkylene ether segment content of the polyether-polyamide-block-copolymer or mixture with the polyamide is suitably 10 to 60% by weight, and the polyalkylene ether segment content of the composite filaments or fibres is 1À0 to 30% by weight, especially 10- 30% by weight. In another preferred form, composite filaments or fibres have at least two polymeric components arranged in core or core(s)-in-sheath relationship along the fibre length, and in such fibres the polyalkylene ether segment content of the polyether-polyamideblock-copolymer or mixture with the polyamide is suitably 8 to 60% by weight, and the polyalkylene ether segment content of the composite filaments or fibres 0À8 to 30% by weight. In examples, the filaments are spun in conventional manner, and the extruded filaments may be drawn from 2À8 to 3À5 times using a hot pin at 70‹ C., optionally followed by a hot plate at 145‹ C. The drawn filaments develop crimps when the tension is released.