MXPA01005585A - Thermoplastic fibers and fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

Fibers comprising one or more thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyethers or polyesters, prepared by the reaction of a dinucleophilic monomer with a diglycidyl ether, a diglycidyl ester or epihalohydrin and, optionally a polymer which is not a hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester, including polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polysaccharide, modified polysaccharide or naturally-occurring fiber or particulate filler;thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer or glycol-modified copolyester.

Description

FIBERS AND FABRICS TERMOPLASTIC AS The present invention relates to thermoplastic fibers and fabrics.

It is known to prepare fibers, yarns and fabrics of polystyrene, vinyl polymers, nylons ,. polyesters, polyofelins, or fluorocarbons. See, for example, the patents of E.U.A. 4,181,762; 4,945,150; 4,909,975 and 5,071,917. However, it is still convenient to provide fibers prepared from polymers, which have not been used as starting materials for the preparation of fibers, yarns and fabrics. These fibers have exceptional properties with respect to bonding, hydrophilicity and chemical resistance which is a special aspect of epoxy based polymers. In a first aspect, the present invention is a fiber comprising at least one polyester or polyether functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy and, optionally, a thermoplastic polymer which is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy. In a second aspect, the present invention is a bicomponent fiber having (1) a first component comprising a polyether or polyester functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy or a mixture of polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy and (2) a second component comprising a thermoplastic polymer which is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy. In a third aspect, the present invention is a method of forming a non-woven fabric by forming a mesh of at least one fibrous component and heating of the mesh to cause bonding of the fibrous component of the mesh, characterized in that at least one fibrous component comprises a polyether or polyester functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy. The fiber of the present invention may be a single component or a two component fiber. The single component fiber comprises at least one polyether or polyester functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy and, optionally, a thermoplastic polymer which is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy. The two component fiber of the present invention has (1) a first component comprising a polyether or polyester functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy or a mixture of polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy and (2) a second component comprising a thermoplastic polymer which it is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy. In general, functionalized polyethers or functionalized polyesters of thermoplastic hydroxy are prepared by the reaction of a dinucleophilic monomer with a diglycidyl ether, a glycidyl ester or epihalohydrin. Preferably, the polyether or polyester functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy is selected from: (1) poly (hydroxy ester ethers) or poly (hydroxy esters) having repeating units represented by the formula: (2) polyetheramines having repeating units represented by the formula: YOU (3) functionalized hydroxy polyethers having repeating units represented by the formula: (4) hydroxy functionalized poly (ether sulfonamides) having repeat units represented by the formula: wherein R1 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R2 is independently a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R3 is R4 is R5 is hydrogen or alkyl; R6 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R7 and R9 are independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl; R8 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; A is an amine portion or a combination of different amine portions; B is a divalent organic portion which is mainly hydrocarbon; m is an integer from 5 to 1000; and n is an integer from 0 to 100. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A is 2-hydroxyethylimino-, 2-hydroxypropyl, imino-piperazenyl, N.N'-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) -1, 2 ethylenediimino; and B and R1 are independently 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene; Sulfonyl diphenylene, oxydiphenylene, tioditenylene or isopropylidene diphenylene; R5 is hydrogen; R7 and R9 are independently methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or phenyl; and B and R8 are independently 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, sulfonyldiphenylene, oxydiphenylene, thiodiphenylene or isopropyl isopropyl.

The poly (hyd rox and ester ethers) represented by Formula I are prepared by reacting diglycidyl esters of aliphatic or aromatic diacids, such as diglycidyl terephthalate, or diglycidyl ethers of aromatic or aliphatic dihydric phenols such as acid. Adipic or isophthalic acid. These polyesters are described in the patent of E.U.A. 5,171,820. Alternatively, the poly (hydroxy esters) are prepared by reacting a diglycidyl ester with a bisphenol or by reacting a diglycidyl ester, diglycidyl ether or an epihalohydrin with a dicarboxylic acid. The polyetheramines represented by Formula II are also referred to as poii (id roxi amino ethers) are prepared by contacting one or more of the diglycidyl ethers of a dihydric phenol with an amine having two amine hydrogens under conditions sufficient to cause the amine moieties react with epoxy portions to form a polymer base structure having amine ligatures, ether ligatures and pendant hydroxyl moieties. These polyetheramines are described in the patent of E.U.A. 5,275,853. The polyetheramines can also be prepared by contacting a diglycidyl ether or an epihalohydrin with a difunctional amine. The functionalized hydroxy polyethers represented by Formula III are prepared, for example, by contacting a diglycidyl ether or a combination of diglycidyl ethers with a dihydric phenol or combination of dihydric phenols using the process described in the patent of E.U.A. 5X64,472. Alternatively, the poly (hydroxy ethers) are obtained by allowing a dihydric phenol or a combination of dihydric phenols to be reacted., With an epihalohydrin by the process described by Reinking, Barnabeo, and Hale in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Volume 7, page 2135 (1963). The hydroxy functionalized poly (ether sulfonamides) represented by Formula IVa and IVb are prepared, for example, by polymerizing an N, N'-dialkyl or N.N'-diaryldodisulfonamide with a diglycidyl ether as described in US Pat. 5, 149, 768. Commercially available hydroxy functionalized polyethers from Phenoxy Associates, Inc. are also suitable for use in the present invention. These functionalized hydroxy polyethers are the condensation reaction products of a polynuclear dihydric phenol, such as bisphenol A, and an epihalohydrin and have repeating units represented by the formula III wherein B is a diphenylene portion of isopropylidene. These hydroxy-phenoxyether polymers and the process for preparing them are described in U.S. Pat. 3,305,528. Other functional hydroxy polyethers which are suitable for use in the present invention are poly (alkylene) oxides, which are usually produced by the polymerization of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, poly (ethylene oxide), poly (propylene oxide), poly (butylene), or copolymers containing varying portions of different poly (alkylene) oxides. These polymers may also be particularly suitable for mixing with polymers of any of the. Formulas I to IV. The advantages of the mixtures of poly (alkylene) oxides and polymers of Formulas I-IV include the ability to manipulate the glass transition temperature of the mixtures or to modify hydrophilicity. The polymers which are not hydroxy functionalized polyesters or polyethers which can be employed in the practice of the present invention to prepare the fibers including polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polysaccharides, modified polysaccharides or naturally occurring fibers or particulate fillers; thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers and copolyester modified with glycol (PETG). Other polymers of the polyester or polyamide type can also be employed in the practice of the present invention to prepare the fiber. Such polymers include polyhexamethylene adipamide, polycaprolactone, polyhexamethylene sebacamide, polyethylene 2,6-naphthalate and polyethylene 1,5-naphthalate, 1,2-dioxybenzoate of polytetramethylene and copolymers of ethylene terephthalate and ethylene isophthalate. Polyesters and methods for their preparation are well known in the art and reference is made thereto for the purposes of this invention. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, reference is particularly made to pages 1-62 of the Volume 12 of Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, 1988 revision, John Wiley & Sons. The polymers which are not functionalized polyesters of hydroxy or p.oli.-ethers. they can be mixed with the polyether or hydroxy functionalized polyester at levels of less than 50 weight percent and, preferably less than 30 weight percent, based on the weight of the fiber. These other polymers can be mixed in the polyether or hydroxy-functionalized polyester in order to reduce the cost of composition, to modify physical properties, barrier or permeability properties, or adhesion characteristics. In the case of two component fibers, the component containing no separated functional hydroxy can be used at levels greater than 99 percent, preferably less than 95 percent, based on the weight of the fibers. The polyamides which can be used in the practice of the present invention to prepare the fibers include the various grades of nylon, such as 6, nylon 6,6 and nylon 12. By the term "polyolefin" is meant a polymer or copolymer derived from simple olefin monomers such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, or isoprene, and one or more monomers polymerizable therewith. Such polymers (including raw materials, their proportions, polymerization temperature, catalysts and other conditions) are well known in the art and are referenced therefor for the purpose of this invention. The additional comonomers which can be polymerized with ethylene include olefin monomers having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids (both mono- and difunctional) and derivatives of such acids such as esters - (eg, alkyl acrylates) and - anhydrides; aromatic monovinylidene and aromatic monovinylidene substituted with a portion other than halogen such as styrene and methylstyrene; or carbon monoxide. Exemplary monomers which can be polymerized with ethylene, include 1-octene, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride. Polyolefins, which may be employed in the practice of the present invention to prepare the fibers, include polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers and mixtures thereof, as well as ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers. Preferred polyolefins are polypropylene, such as Pro-Fax ™ PF635 (Trademark of Montell North American Inc.) and INSPIRE ™ (Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company, linear high density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low density polyethylene homogeneously branched (PEBDL) such as DOWLEX ™ polyethylene resin (Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company), heterogeneously branched ultra low density linear polyethylene (PEBDLU) such as ATTANE ™ PEBDLU (Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company); linear, homogeneously branched olefin / ethylene such as TAFMER ™ (Trademark of Mitsui Petrochemicals Company Limited) and EXACT ™ (Trademark of Exxon Chemical Company); homogeneously branched, substantially linear ethylene / α-olefin polymers such as AFFINITY ™ (Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company) and ENGAGE® (Trademark of DuPont Dow Elastomers LLC) polyolefin elastomers, which can be prepared as described in US Pat. US patents 5,272,236 and 5,278,272; polymers and copolymers of ethylene polymerized free radicals and high pressure, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (AEA) such as PIMACOR ™ (Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EAA) copolymers such as ESCORENE ™ polymers (Trademark of Exxon Chemical Company), and ELVAX ™ (Trademark of El du Pont de Nemours &Co.) . The most preferred polyolefins are homogeneously linear and substantially linear branched ethylene copolymers with a density of 0.85 to 0.99 g / cm2 (measured in accordance with ASTM D-792), a weight average molecular weight ratio to number average molecular weight (Mp / Mn) of 1.5 to 3.0, a measured melt index of 0.01 to 100 g / 10 minutes (measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238 (190 / 2.16)), and a | 10/12 from 6 to 20 (measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238 (190/10)). In general, high density polyethylene (HDPE) has a density of at least about 0.94 grams per cubic centimeter (g / cc) (ASTM Test Method D-1505). HDPE is commonly produced using techniques similar to the preparation of linear low density polyethylenes. Such techniques are described in the U.S. Patent. 2,825,721; 2,993,876; 3,250,825 and 4,204,050. The preferred HDPE, used in the practice of the present invention, has a density of from 0.94 to 0.99 g / cc and a melt index of 0.01 to 35 grams per 10 minutes as determined by ASTM Test Method D-1238. The polysaccharides which can be used in the practice of the present invention are the different starches, celluloses, hemicelluloses, xylans, gums, pectins and contaminants. Polysaccharides are known and described, for example, in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, 2a. Edition, 1987. Preferred polysaccharides are starch and cellulose. Modified polysaccharides which may be employed in the practice of the present invention are polysaccharide esters and ethers, such as, for example, cellulose ethers and cellulose esters, or starch esters and almond ethers. Modified polysaccharides are known and described, for example, in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, 2a. Edition, 1987. The term "starch" as used herein, refers to carbohydrates of natural vegetable origin, composed primarily of amylose and / or amylopectin, and includes unmodified starches, starches which have been dehydrated, but not dried , physically modified starches, such as thermoplastic, gelatinized or cooked starches, starches with acid value modified (pH) where the acid has been added to the smallest acid value of a starch on a scale of from 3 to 6, gelatinized starches, degelatinized starches, interlaced starches and altered starches (starches which are not in the form of particles ). The starches can be granulated, in particles or in powder form. These can be extracted from various plants, such as, for example, potatoes, rice, tapioca, corn, peas, and cereals such as, rye, oats, and wheat. Celluloses are known and described, for example, in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, 2a. Edition, 1987. Celluloses are polymers with a high content of natural carbohydrates (polysaccharides) consisting of anhydroglucose units linked by an oxygen ligature to form glucose. The degree of polymerization varies from 1000 for wood pulp to 3500 for cotton fiber, giving a molecular weight of 160,000 to 560,000. Cellulose can be extracted from plant tissues (wood, grass, and cotton). The celluloses can be used in the form of fibers. Fibers present in nature or filled with particles can be used in the practice of the present invention are, for example, sawdust, wood pulp, wood fibers, cotton, flax, hemp, or ramie fibers, rice or wheat straw. , chitin, chitosan, cellulose materials, agricultural products derivatives, nut shell flour, corn cob meal, and mixtures thereof.

In general, the fibers of the present invention can be formed by well known processes such as melt spinning, wet spinning, or conjugate spinning. The fibers of the present invention can be extruded to any desired size or length. They can also be extruded in any desired shape, such as cylindrical, cross-shaped, with three lobes, or in cross section similar to tapes. The two-component fibers of the present invention can have the following cross-sectional structures of the fibers: (1) Side by side (2) Core-shell (3) "Islands in the sea" (4) Citrus fruits (segmented cake) ) (1) Side by side A method for producing side-by-side two-component fibers is described in the US Patent 5,093,061. The method comprises (1) feeding two polymer vapors through separate orifices and converging substantially at the same rate to merge side by side as a combined vapor subsequent to the spinner face; or (2) feeding two polymer vapors separately through holes, which converge on the surface of the spinner, at substantially the same speed to merge from side to side as a combined stream on the spinner surface. In both cases, the speed of each polymer stream at the melting point is determined by its Measuring pump speed and hole size. The cross section of the fiber has a direct interface between two components. Side-by-side fibers are generally used to produce self-curling fibers. All commercially available authorized fibers are produced using a system based on the different shrink characteristics of each component. (2) Core-shell The fibers of two shell-core components are fibers in which one of the components (core) is completely surrounded by a second component (shell). Adhesion is not always essential for the integrity of the fiber. The most common way to produce core-shell fibers is a technique in which two (fused) polymer liquids are separately driven to a position very close to the spinner holes and then extruded in the form of a shell-core. In the case of concentric fibers, the hole that supplies the "core" polymer is in the center of the spinhole outlet and the flow conditions of the core polymer flow are strictly controlled to keep both components concentric when they spin. The modifications in the holes of the spinner able to obtain different forms of core and / or cover within the cross section of the fiber. The shell-core structure is used when desired by the surface to have the property of one of the polymers such as, brightness, coloration capacity or stability, while the core can contribute to strength and reduced cost. The cover-core fibers are used as binding fibers and as the binding fibers in the non-woven fabric industry. The core-shell two-component fiber may have a core comprising the hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester and a shell comprising a polymer which is not a hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester. Alternatively, the hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester can be the shell and the polymer that is not the hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester of the core of the two-component fiber. The core-shell may be circular in cross section or may have some other geometry, such as "three lobes". A variant such as "three pointed lobes" can also be constructed, wherein the cover component is not continuous around the core but exists only at the tips of the lobes formed in the core. Other configurations, which may be used, are illustrated in International Fiber Journal, Volume 13, No. 3, June 1998 in the articles beginning on pages 20, 26 and 49. Methods for producing core-shell two-component fibers are described in the US Patents 3,315,021 and 3,316,336. (3) "Islands in the sea" The fibers of "islands in the sea" are also called matrix filament fibers, which include fibers of two heterogeneous components. A method for producing island fibers in the sea is described in the U.S. Patent. 4,445,833. The method comprises injection streams or core polymer in the polymer streams of the shells through small tubes with a tube for each core stream. The combined roof-core vapors "converge within the spinner and form a conjugated stream of islands in the sea.Mixing the different polymer streams with a static mixer in the spinning process, two-component island fibers are also produced- In-sea The static mixer divides and re-divides the polymer stream to form a multi-core matrix stream This method for producing island-in-the-sea fibers is described in US Patent 4,414,276. The hydroxy functionalized polyether or polyester can be the sea polymer and the polymer which is not a hydroxy functionalized polyether or polyester can be the island polymer.The hydroxy functionalized polyether or polyester can also be the island polymer and the polymer which is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy, can be the sea polymer.The structure of islands in the sea is used when you want to increase fiber modules, reduce moisture absorption, reduce coloration capacity, improve texture capacity or give the fiber a unique shiny appearance. (4) Citrus type (segmented tart form) Citrus-type or segmented tart two-component fibers can be made by modifying the polymer and / or spinner distribution of packing sets used in the market. the methods described above to produce side-by-side, core-core or island-in-the-sea fibers. For example, by introducing a first polymer stream and a second polymer stream alternately through eight radial channels towards the hollow of the spinner instead of two channels, the resulting fiber is a citrus-type fiber segmented into eight. If the spinner hole has the configuration of three or four grooves on a circle (a common hole configuration to produce hollow fibers), the fiber is a hollow citrus type fiber with eight segments. The hollow citrus type fiber can also be made by using spinner hole configurations with a core-covered tip package as described in the US Patent. 4,246,219 and 4,357,290. The fibers of the present invention can be blended with other natural or synthetic fibers, such as carbon fibers, cotton, wood, polyester, polyolefin, nylon, rayon. Fiberglass, silicon fibers, silicon alumina, potassium titanate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, boron, acrylic fibers, tetrafluoroethylene fibers, polyamide fibers, vinyl fibers, protein fibers, fibers ceramic, such as aluminum silicate and oxide fibers, such as boron oxide.

Additives such as pigments, stabilizers, impact modifiers, plasticizers, carbon black, conductive metal particles, abrasives and lubricating polymers can be incorporated into the fibers. The method of incorporating additives is not critical. The additives can be conveniently added to the polyether or hydroxy-functionalized polyester prior to the preparation of the fibers. If the polyether or polyester is prepared as a solid, the additives can be added to the melt before preparing the fibers. The fibers of the present invention can be entangled by chemical treatment, heating or irradiation with ultraviolet light. For example, the fibers can be chemically treated with crosslinking agents such as diisocyanates, glycidyl methacrylate, bisepoxides and anhydrides. The fibers of the present invention are suitable for use in filtration media, binder fibers for glass or carbon fibers, binder fibers of non-woven fabrics made of thermoplastic polymers which are not polyether or functionalized polyesters of hydroxy or binder fibers in fabrics non-woven made of cellulose-based materials. These fibers are also useful in the manufacture of medical clothing. They are also useful in non-woven and woven fabrics, which can be used in apparel, water absorbent cloth, antistatic cleaning cloths, or water absorbing mats.

Woven fabrics are formed from the fibers of the present invention by techniques commonly used in the textile fabric industry, such as knits and knits. Non-woven fabrics are based on a fibrous mesh. The fibers of the present invention can be formed into meshes using the following known technologies: (1) Dry-formed, carded or air-laminated and bonded-Meshes are formed of staple fibers by carding or air-laminating, are generally bonded or with a mold with latex or other adhesives produced in water. In carding, groups of staple fibers are mechanically separated into individual fibers and formed into a coherent mesh. In stratification with air, the fibers are introduced into a stream of air and captured in an air current screen. (2) Bond-Thermal- The dry-formed meshes of staple fibers are bonded with thermo-adhesive fibers or are composed entirely of thermo-adhesive fibers. (3) Stratification with air - Wood pulp fibers, with or without added staple fibers, are bonded with latex or similar adhesives. (4) Wet forming - Short fibers are formed into a mesh by processes derived from papermaking technology, followed by bonding with latexes of thermal binders. (5) Yarns - Meshes composed of long filaments with a normal textile diameter are formed directly from the bulk polymer and are usually thermally bonded. (6) Blown by fusion. The long-fiber meshes, with an extremely thin diameter, are formed directly from a bulk polymer and are usually joined by hot relief processes. (7) Yarn sewing: The dry-formed meshes are mechanically intertwined by multiple jets of high pressure water, fine, in most cases, without adhesive binder. (8) Puncture with needle - The fibers that are mechanically interlocked by multiple reciprocal banks of interlacing needles. (9) Laminate - Different layers are combined in fabrics of mixed or reinforced compounds, by an adhesive, thermal fusion or interlacing. (10) Sewing-knitting- The meshes of discontinuous fibers are mechanically reinforced or seized by stitched or knitted threads through the meshes. Non-woven fabrics and processes for preparing them are described in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Second Edition, Volume 10, pages 204-251. The following working examples are given to illustrate the invention and could not be construed as its limiting framework. Unless stated otherwise, all parts and percentages are by volume.

Example 1 A 0.95 cm single-screw extruder adapted with an 8-hole spinner was used to weave monofilaments based on 100 percent thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether. The melting temperature was 200 ° C. fibers were wound onto coils without additional stretching.

Example 2 Two component fibers containing polypropylene were woven as the core and a polyether functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy as the shell. Two single screw extruders were used, one feeding the polypropylene and the other feeding the polyether functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy. The extruders fed the fused polymers (the melting temperature was 200 ° C) to a spinner of 288 holes where the two-component fibers were woven. Fibers were woven with ratios of polypropylene: polyether functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 40:60 and 50:50. The fibers were also stretched after leaving the spinner using extenders rollers and then removing them in the bobbins.

Example 3 A poly (hydroxy amino ether) polyether amine (derived from the reaction of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and ethanolamide) and a polypropylene were woven into two-component fibers. He p or I i (h i d roxi amino ether) had an IFF (melt flow index) of 8 to 230 ° C using a weight of 2.16 kg. The polypropylene source was a 35 IFF Pro-fax ™ PF635 polypropylene from Montell. This dewatered / core two component fiber was produced under the conditions mentioned in Table I. Table I Example 4 A two-component cover / polypropylene core fiber of 30/70 w / w (w / w) of poly (hydroxy amino) ether (derived from the reaction of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and ethanolamide) was treated in a Tech Tex texturing unit to impart a ripple. This equipment uses the stiffness box method for texturing. The textured yarn was cut into the discontinuous 5 cm long fiber in an Ace Strip cutter. Model C-75. After the curling and discontinuous cutting operations, the fiber was opened in a microdenier metal card with 30.5 cm width in batches of 30 grams. The open fiber was then used to produce a set on a sample card line. This carding set was basted in a James Hunter Fiber Basting machine to give a spun fabric with resultant needles.

Example 5 Cotton fibers (4 kg, 1.5 to 5 cm in length) and two-component fibers of 7-denier (30/70 (w / w) poly (hydroxyamino ether) / polypropylene), (0.45 kg, 2.5 cm in length) were mixed manually and then opened. The mixture was spun and converted to a non-woven mesh which was thermally bonded with calender rolls at 170 ° C.

Example 6 The cotton linters (150 g) and the two-component 7-denier fibers (30/70 (w / w) polyetheramine / polypropylene) were added to 300 L of water in a cylindrical tank and the contents were agitated for 5 hours. minutes The polyetheramine was derived from the reaction of the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and ethanolamine. The ratio of fibers of two components to cotton linters was 5 percent on a basis weight. The slurry was then pumped into a polyester mesh movement belt and the formed meshes were collected. The wet meshes were dried by passing them through an oven at 165 ° C for approximately one minute of elapsed time. The dried meshes were then joined with calender rolls heating at temperatures from 100 ° C to 180 ° C: The basis weight of the nets after bonding was around 90 grams.

Example 7 A two-component shell / core spin bonded fabric was produced under the conditions shown in Table II. The polyetheramine (derived from the reaction of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and ethanolamine) covered had an IFF of 15. The core of the polypropylene was composed of a IFF Por-Fax ™ PF635. The cover / core ratio was 20/80 (w / w). The system was run at slit air pressures of 1.4, 1.75 and 2.1 kg / cm2 and the yarn bonded material was collected on the punched band / vacuum collection system. The collection speed varies from 50 to 75 meters per minute: The heater rolls were set at 60 ° C and appear to provide adequate bonding of the dry continuous mesh material. Table II Examples 8 to 15: PHAE Mixtures for Fabric Applications / Hydrophilic Fibers. The poly (hydroxy amino ether) ("PHAE") used in the following Examples 8 to 15 was produced by polymerization of The Dow Chemical Company of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and an amine of ethanol. The PHAE had the following properties: average molecular weight number (Mn) = 14,000; weight average molecular weight (Mn) = 35,000; melt index = 15 (measured at 190 ° C with 2.16 kg of weight); the glass transition temperature (Tg) = 78 ° C. In these examples 8 to 15, PEG refers to poly (ethylene glycol) and PEO refers to poly (ethylene oxide). PEG and PEO have the same polyoxyethylene repeating unit shown below: (-CH2CH2O-) n The designation of polymers with the above structure as PEG or PEO was based on the name of the product given in an Aldrich catalog, that is, PEG is used if the average molecular weight number (Mn) of the polyoxyethylene is 10,000 or less, and PEO if the average viscosity of the molecular weight ( Mv) is 100,000 or higher. In the following examples, the number immediately after PEG or PEO indicates the calculated average molecular weight (Mn or Mv) of the Aldrich catalog. EPE refers to a block copolymer with the general structure shown below: H (-OCH2CH2") x [-OCH (CH3) CH2 -]? (- OCH2CH2-) zOH Block copolymers of EPE contain a hydrophobic oxide block of poly (propylene), having a molecular weight ranging from a minimum of 900 to a maximum of 4000, with two blocks of polyoxyethylene hydrophilic in such a way that the combined weight of the polyoxyethylene blocks constitutes from 10 to 90 percent by weight of the total molecule. EPE block copolymers are nonionic surfactants [see L.G. Lundsted and I.R. Schmolka, "The Synthesis and Properties of Block Copolymer Poiyol Surfactants" in Block and Graft Copolymerization, volume 2 (edited by R.J Ceresa), John Wiley & Sons, New York, chapter 1, pp. T-103]. The EPE block copolymers are sold under the tradename PLURONIC® polyols (BASF Wyandotte Corporation) and are also sold by The Dow Chemical Co. (e.g., Polyglycol EP-1730 and EP-1660). The nomenclature used herein for the specific EPE block copolymers gives the weight percent of ethylene glycol and the calculated average molecular weight (Mn), as in the Aldrich catalog. For example, EPE-30 (Mn 5800) refers to an EPE block copolymer containing 30 weight percent ethylene glycol and having a calculated number average molecular weight of 5800. The following test methods were used for Examples 8 to 15: The glass transition temperature (Tg) was determined using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter DSC2010 Instruments TA. The samples (5 to 10 mg) were prepared in hermetically sealed chambers. Two sweeps were made for each sample. The first sweep was made from room temperature at 200 ° C to 10 ° C per minute. The sample was then heated to room temperature under using dry ice, where the second sweep was made to ° / m at 200 ° C. The Tg was determined from the second sweep of the inflection point. The pH7 Regulatory Solution Contact Angle was determined for compression molded films using a Krüss G40 Contact Angle Measurement System (Goniometer) equipped with a Eurometrix fiber optic light source, a Kernco model G-1 microscope, scale, light source, and camera mount, and a Panasonic Kruss CCTV camera and WV-5410 monitor. A small drop of pH7 regulating agent was applied to the film and the angle formed at the film / drop / air interface was measured using the system software (G40 V1.32-US). In the following examples, the terms "water contact angle" and "pH7 regulatory solution contact angle" are synonymous. The spinner of fibers at laboratory scale of mixtures PHAE The apparatus for fiber spinning consisted of a Rheometrix capillary melting rheometer equipped with a die of 1000μm, a Rheotens junction, and a variable speed roller of circumference on which the fiber was rotated.

Example 8: Mix of PHAE with 10 Percent in Weight of PEG 10,000 The PHAE (243.0 g) and PEG 10,000 (27.1 g, Aldrich Chemical Co., Tm 63 ° C) were mixed by melting for 20 minutes in a large rheometer Capacity of Haake torque (with roller mixing spatulas) at isothermal metal temperature of 170 ° C and mixing rate of 1000 rpm. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 53 ° C without crystalline melting points. A film molded by compression of the mixture was transparent and had a water contact angle of 67. The fiber was melt spun at 190 ° C with a rheometer piston speed of 8 mm / minute and an acquisition speed of 1780 rpm (543 m / minute). Additional mixtures with 5 and 25 wt.% PEG 10,009 were also prepared and the results are included in Table 3.

Example 9: PHAE blend with 5 percent by weight of PEO 100,000 The PHAE (57.1) and PEO 100,000 (3.1 g, Aldrich Chemical Co., Tm 65 ° C) was melt blended in a Haake torque rheometer during 15 minutes at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and mixing speed of 100 rpm. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 66 ° C without crystalline melting points. A film molded by compression of the mixture was transparent and had a water contact angle of 68. The fiber was melt spun at 190 ° C with a piston speed of 8 mm / minute and the acquisition speed of 1780 rpm ( 543 m / minute). The denier of the fiber was 9 g (equal to the weight of 9000 m of continuous fiber). Additional mixtures with 10 percent and 25 percent PEO 100,000 were prepared and the results were included in Table 3.

Example 10: PHAE blend with 5 Percent PEO Weight 4,000,000. The PHAE (57.1 g) and PEO 4,000,000 (3.0 g Aldrich Chemical Co., Tm 65 ° C) were melt-mixed in a Haake torque rheometer for 20 minutes at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and 100 ° C. mixing speed of 100 rpm. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 67 ° C without crystalline melting point. A film molded by compression of the mixture was transparent and had a water contact angle of 65. The fiber was melt-spun at 190 ° C with a piston speed of 8mm / minute and acquisition speed of 1780 rpm (543 m / minunot). The denier of the fiber was 10 g.

Example 11: Mixture of PHAE with 10 Percent PEO Weight 4,000,000 PHAE (243.0 g) and PEO 4,000,000 (27.0 g, Aldrich Chemical Co., Tm 65 ° C) was melt mixed in a torque rheometer Haake for 25 minutes at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and 100 rpm mixing speed. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 55 ° C without crystalline melting points. A film molded by compression of the mixture was transparent and had a water contact angle of 72. The fiber was melt-cast at 190 ° C with a piston speed of 8 mm / minute and acquisition speed of 1780 rpm (543 m / minutes).

Example 12: PHAE blend with 15 percent by weight PEO 4,000,000 PHAE (51.0 g) and PEO 4,000,000 (9.0 g, Aldrich Chemical Co., Tm 65 ° C) were melt blended in torsion-torque rheometer Haake for 20 minutes at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and 100 rpm mixing speed. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 44 ° C without a crystalline melting point. A film molded by compression of the mixture was transparent and had a water contact angle of 42: The fiber was melt spun at 190 ° C with a piston speed of 8mm / minute and acquisition speed of 1100 rpm (335 m / minutes). Additional mixtures with 20 and 25% PEO 4,000,000 were prepared and the results are included in Table III.

Example 13: PHAE blend with 3.7 Percent Weight of EPE-30 (Mn 5800) PHAE (73.4 g) and EPE-30 (2.8 g, Aldrich Chemical Company, Tm 39 ° C) were melt-blended in a rheometer Haake torque for 20 minutes at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and mixing speed of 100 rpm. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 69 ° C without crystalline melting points. A compression molded film of the mixture had a semitransparent pearly appearance and had a water contact angle of 24. The fiber was melt spun at 200 ° C with a piston speed of 8 mm / minute and acquisition speed of 1780 rpm (543 m / minutes). The denier of the fiber produced was 8 g. A small hand sample of fabric was made from the following fibers: A portion of the fiber (1.4 g) was cut into discontinuous 5.08 cm and carded to make the mesh. The mesh was folded in half and then ran through a Beloit Wheeler Model 700 Lab calender roller. The calender rolls were graduated at 98.8 ° C and 7.03 kg / cm2 which gave a well-bonded cloth. A sample of pure PHAE fiber (1.4 g) was made from cloth using a similar procedure. The ability of the fabrics for water absorption test was then tested by immersing one end of the small strip (19 by 81 mm) of each fabric in deionized water and measuring the time required for the water to advance to the strip of the fabric at a line drawn 25 mm from the surface of water. The mixture of PHAE with EPE-30 (Mn 5800) absorbed water up to the line in 2.5 minutes while the pure PHAE fabric did not show full absorption of water. The fabrics were resected and the absorption test was repeated 3 times. The same results were observed each time, the fabric made with EPE-30 mixture of water absorbed water and the pure PHAE fabric did not absorb water.

Example 14: Mix of PHAE with 5 Percent Weight in EPE-80 (Mn 8400) PHAE (57.0 g) and EPE-80 (3.0 g, Aldrich Chemical Co., Tm 58 ° C) were melt-mixed in a rheometer Torque Haake for 20 minutes at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and mixing speed of 100 rpm. The resulting mixture had a Tg of 64 ° C with crystalline melting points. A film molded by compression of the mixture was transparent and had a water contact angle of 56. The fiber was melt spun at 200 ° C with a piston speed of 8 mm / minute and an acquisition speed of 850 rpm ( 259 m / minutes). The fiber denier produced was 274 g.The PHAE blends with other EPE block copolymers, which includes EPE-30 (Mn 4400), EPE 40 (Mn 2,900), and EPE-50 (Mn 1,900). , were also prepared using procedures analogous to those described above The results for these mixtures are mentioned in Table IV.

Example 15: PHAE blend with 5 percent by weight Poly (propylene glycol) (Aldrich, Mn 3500) PHAE (64.9 g) and poly (propylene glycol) (3.4 g) were mixed by melting in a torque rheometer Haake torsion for 40 minutes at 150 ° C at isothermal metal temperature of 180 ° C and 30 at mixing speed of 100 rpm. The initial mixture appeared to be two phases and the mixture was very poor. The temperature and mixing speed were adjusted until suitable mixtures were obtained.

The resulting mixture had a Tg of 76 ° C. A film molded by compression of the mixture was opaque.

Table III. Mixtures of PHAE with Polyoxyethylene (PEG or PEO) a) Weight percent of the additive given with the balance being PHAE. b) Measurement of the drip contact angle of the pH 7 buffer solution applied to the surface of a compression molded film. The reported value is the average of the results for 15 drops. c) The samples were classified as miscible if the Tg satisfies the Fox equation and if the films of the mixtures were transparent.

Table IV. PHAE Mixtures with EPE Block Copolymers a) Weight percent of additive given with the balance being PHAE. b) Measurement of the contact angle for drops of pH 7 buffer solution applied to the surface of a compression molded film. The reported value is the average of results for 15 drops. c) The samples were classified as miscible if the Tg satisfies the Fox equation and if the mixed films were transparent.

Claims (24)

1. The fiber comprising at least one hydroxy functionalized polyether or polyester selected from: (1) poly (hydroxy ester ethers) or poly (hydroxy esters) having repeating units represented by the formula: (2) polyetheramines having repeating units represented by the formula: II (3) functionalized hydroxy polyethers having repeating units represented by the formula: (4) hydroxy functionalized poly (ether sulfonamides) having repeat units represented by the formula: IVa wherein R1 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R2 is independently a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R3 is OH CH2OH I -CH ^ CCH ^ C- CH2-R5 R4 is R5 is hydrogen or alkyl; R6 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R7 and R9 are independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl; R8 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; A is an amine portion or a combination of different amine portions; B is a divalent organic portion which is mainly hydrocarbon; m is an integer greater than 10; and n is an integer from 0 to 100.

The fiber of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic, hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester is prepared through the reaction of a dinucleophilic monomer with a diglycidyl ether, an ester of diglycidyl or epihalohydrin.

3. The fiber of claim 2, having a cross section of three lobes or tape-like, cylindrical cross-shaped.

4. The fiber of claim 3, formed by melt spinning, dry spinning or wet spinning a polymer solution.

5. The fiber of claim 3, in the form of a filtration medium, a binder fiber for glass or carbon fibers, a binder fiber in non-woven fabrics made of a thermoplastic polymer that is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy or a binder fiber in non-woven fabrics made of cellulose-based materials or a medical garment.

6. A woven or non-woven fabric comprising the fiber of claim 3 and, optionally, a synthetic or natural fiber.

The fabric of claim 6, wherein the synthetic fiber is a polyester, a polyamide, rayon or a polyolefin and the natural fiber is cotton.

8. The fabric of claim 6, in the form of an apparel, a water absorbing fabric, a filter cloth, a battery separator, an antistatic flannel, and a water absorbent mat.

The fiber of claim 1, comprising a mixture of one or more of polyether or polyester functionalized with a thermoplastic polymer that is not a hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester selected from a polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polysaccharide, modified polysaccharide or fiber present in nature or particulate filler, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer or glycol modified copolyester (PETG).

10. The fiber of claim 1, which is a two component fiber having (1) a first component comprising a polyether or polyether functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy or a mixture of a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy and (2) a second component comprising a polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polysaccharide, modified polysaccharide or fiber present in nature or particulate filler, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer or glycol modified copolyester (PETG).

11. The two component fiber of claim 10, wherein the polyether or hydroxy functionalized polyester was prepared by the reaction of a dinucleophilic monomer with a diglycidyl ether, a diglycidyl ester or epihalohydrin. t

12. The two component fiber of claim 10, wherein the hydroxy functional polyether is selected from: (1) poly (hydroxy ester ethers) or poly (hydroxy esters) having repeating units represented by the formula: O O -oc "- R i'-C ?? OR -? R? 4 © - RX *? (2) polyetheramines having repeating units represented by the formula: YOU (3) functionalized hydroxy polyethers having repeating units represented by the formula: (4) hydroxy functionalized poly (ether sulfonamides) having repeat units represented by the formula: wherein R1 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R2 is independently a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R3 is R4 is R5 is hydrogen or alkyl; R6 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; R7 and R9 are independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl; R8 is a divalent organic portion which is primarily hydrocarbon; A is an amine portion or a combination of different amine portions; B is a divalent organic portion which is mainly hydrocarbon; m is an integer greater than 10; and n is an integer from 0 to 100.

13. The two-component fiber of claim 12, which is a side-by-side two-component fiber, a two-component core-shell fiber, a two-component fiber in segmented tart form or a two-component fiber of "islands in the sea".

The bi-component fiber of claim 13, comprising a core of the polyether or polyester functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy and a shell of a thermoplastic polymer that is not a polyether or polyester functionalized with hydroxy.

15. The two component fiber of claim 13, comprising a polyether or polyester shell functionalized with thermoplastic hydroxy and a core of a thermoplastic polymer that is not a hydroxy functionalized polyether or polyester.

16. The two-component fiber of claim 12, having a cylindrical cross-section, cross-shaped, three-lobed or tape-like.

17. The two component fiber of claim 12, in the form of a filtration medium, a binder fiber for glass or carbon fibers, a binder fiber in non-woven fabrics made of a thermoplastic polymer that is not a functionalized polyether or polyester with hydroxy or a binder fiber in non-woven fabrics made of cellulose-based materials or a medical garment.

18. A woven or non-woven fabric comprising the fiber of claim 12, and optionally a synthetic or natural fiber.

19. The fabric of claim 18, wherein the synthetic fiber is a polyester, a polyamide, rayon or a polyolefin and the natural fiber is cotton.

20. The fabric of claim 18, in the form of an apparel, a water absorbing fabric, a filter cloth, a battery separator, an antistatic flannel or a water absorbent mat.

The fiber of claim 1, comprising a mixture of: (a) a poly (hydroxyamino ether) having repeat units represented by the formula: OH OH I -O-CH-C- CH-jA-CH2-C-CH2-0-B- II "IIRR n wherein A is a diamino portion or a combination of different portions of amine, B is an organic portion divalent which is predominantly hydrocarbylene, R is alkyl or hydrogen, and n is an integer greater than 10, and (b) at least one of a polyethylene glycol, poly (ethylene) oxide, or EPE block copolymer.

The fiber of claim 21, wherein the ether is the reaction product of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and ethanolamine

23. A method of forming a non-woven fabric by forming a mesh of at least one fibrous component and heating the mesh to cause the joining of fibrous components of the mesh, characterized in that at least one fibrous component comprises a polyether or thermoplastic polyester functionalized with hydroxy

24. The method of claim 23, wherein at least one fibrous component comprises a poly (hydroxyamylether) ino) that has repeating units represented by the formula: II wherein A is a diamino portion or a combination of different portions of amine, B is a divalent organic portion that it is predominantly hydrocarbylene; R is alkyl or hydrogen, and n is an integer greater than 10.