Fiber structures of split multicomponent fibers and process therefor

US4239720A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Akzona Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Klaus Gerlach · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Nikolaus Mathes · Höchst im Odenwald, DE
• Friedbert Wechs · Bad Mergentheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 1, 1979
• Grant date: Dec 16, 1980
• Expiry date: Mar 1, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T442/608
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Fibrillatable multicomponent fibers of the matrix segment type and a process for production of fiber structures by splitting shrinkable, basically unset, multi-component fibers consisting of at least two incompatible components which in the fiber cross section are arranged in the form of a matrix and several segments, the latter accounting for about 20% to 80% of the total cross section. After having been processed into fiber structures such as staple fibers, yarns or fabrics, the multicomponent fibers are treated with a liquid or gaseous organic solvent, particularly chlorinated lower alkanes, to partially or completely split the segment filaments from the matrix component. Useful solvents are those which will reduce the zero-shrinkage temperature of the matrix or the segment polymer by at least 160.degree. C. and in which the polymer components constituting the fiber show different shrinkage behaviour. Splitting may be further enhanced by the application of mechanical agitation, e.g. by ultrasonic waves. Fabrics made from the multicomponent fibers may be woven, knitted, non-woven, flocked and three-dimensional.