Fibrillatable structures and their derivatives

Abstract

Abstract A polymer composition used for making fibres comprises a dispersion of one polymer in another, the dispersion medium polymer constituting 1-48% by weight of the total polymer weight. In examples, such polymer compositions comprise dispersions of: (1) poly (hexamethylene adipamide)/caprolactam copolymer in poly (ethylene glycol); (2) poly (ethylene terephthalate) in poly (ethylene glycol); (3) poly - caprolactam in poly (ethylene glycol); (4) N,N1-di-isobutyl hexamethylene diamine/caprolactam copolymer in polystyrene; (5) a polyester urethane (see Specification 1,040,365) in polystyrene or poly (ethylene glycol).ALSO:Fibrils for paper-making are obtained by disintegrating by mechanical means a fibrillatable structure made by forming a dispersion of one synthetic polymer on another, the dispersion medium polymer comprising 1-48% by weight of the total polymer weight, extruding the dispersion, and removing from the extrudate the dispersion medium polymer, which may be polylethylene glycol. "Extrusion" includes spinning through a nozzle, casting, spraying on to a surface or withdrawing from a reaction medium. The extrudate is not subjected to an extension of more than 25% of its length. In Example 3, an aqueous slurry of poly (hexamethylene adipamide)/caprolactan copolymer fibrils is mixed with poly(hexamethylene adipamide) staple fibre and a hand sheet is formed therefrom. The sheet is then heated under pressure between aluminium sheets to cause melting and bonding of the fibrils. In Example 4, fibrils of poly (epsilon caprolactam) are similarly processed, and in Example 11, a waterleaf consisting entirely of poly (epsilon caprolactam) fibrils is made.

Inventors

• 👤 Gwilym Garrod Thomas
• 👤 Gerald Byrne

Bibliographic Details