Process of forming synthetic fibers
US3987139A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1974 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD01D5/11
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process of preparing polymer fibers by adiabatically flashing an emulsion or dispersion of water or other suitable nonsolvent in molten polymer, the emulsion or dispersion including an emulsifying agent and a dispersing aid, at an elevated temperature and pressure through a narrow orifice into a region of reduced temperature and pressure. The water or other nonsolvent is present in an amount effective, in combination with the temperature and pressure employed, to cause the molten polymer to be disrupted and rapidly solidify in the form of high surface area, i.e., at least 1.0 m.sup.2 /gram, discrete fibers. The polymer is preferably a crystalline polymer. The nonsolvent employed should have a boiling point less than the melting point of the polymer, a critical temperature greater than the melting point of the polymer, a heat of vaporization greater than the heat of fusion of the polymer, and is substantially immiscible in the polymer at the temperature of flashing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.