Patent · US Expired

Process for preparing microporous polyethylene hollow fibers

US4115492A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 28, 1977
Grant dateSep 19, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 28, 1997

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.-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.