Patent · US Expired

Microporous polyethylene hollow fibers and process of preparing them

US4020230A · kind A · utility

83Cited by
2References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 3, 1975
Grant dateApr 26, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 3, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/2975
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Normally hydrophobic, polyethylene hollow fibers having contiguous microporosity are prepared by extruding a heated solution of a polyethylene and an ester from a hollow fiber spinnerette, simultaneously cooling and drawing the forming fibers to a ratio of up to 40 to 1, drawing the gelled fibers to an overall ratio of from about 1.5/1 to 800/1 and then removing the ester. The maximum pore radius ranges up to about 50A, and the fibers have gas permeabilities approaching 10.sup.-.sup.2 cc (STP) per cm.sup.2 per second per cm. Hg. transmembrane pressure differential. A significant increase in permeability over polyethylene hollow fibers made according to the teachings of the prior art is achieved.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.