Pbi Performance Products, Inc.

Brian Patrick Shiels

Gregory S Copeland

Feng Qin

Kimberly Michelle Henry

William L Lawson, Iii

William L Lawson

Diane B Hess

Amy McSwain Ulrich

A method of making a phosphonated polybenzimidazole fiber comprises the steps of: spinning an untreated PBI resin into a PBI fiber; treating the PBI fiber with phosphoric acid, and thereby obtaining a PBI fiber with 1-25 wt. % phosphoric acid APU. A fiber is made with a polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer with a phosphoric acid pick-up (APU) in the range of 1-25% (PBI-p fiber). The PBI-p fiber may have a LOI≥50% and/or an initial thermal decomposition temperature in air of ≥555° C.

Method of making a phosphonated PBI fiber

A fiber is made with a polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer with a phosphoric acid pick-up (APU) in the range of 1-25% (PBI-p fiber). The PBI-p fiber may have a LOI ≥50% and/or an initial thermal decomposition temperature in air of ≥555° C. A method of making a phosphonated polybenzimidazole fiber comprises the steps of: spinning an untreated PBI resin into a PBI fiber; treating the PBI fiber with phosphoric acid, and thereby obtaining a PBI fiber with 1-25 wt. % phosphoric acid APU.

Phosphonated PBI fiber

A fiber is made with a polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer with a phosphoric acid pick-up (APU) in the range of 1-25% (PBI-p fiber). The PBI-p fiber may have a LOI≥50% and/or an initial thermal decomposition temperature in air of ≥555° C. A method of making a phosphonated polybenzimidazole fiber comprises the steps of: spinning an untreated PBI resin into a PBI fiber; treating the PBI fiber with phosphoric acid, and thereby obtaining a PBI fiber with 1-25 wt. % phosphoric acid APU.

A fabric for a thermal protective application includes: 5-40 weight % PBI-p fiber and the balance being conventional fibers, where the fabric has equal or better flame-resistant and/or heat-resistant properties, and a fabric weight less than an equivalent fabric made with a like amount of PBI-s fiber in place of the PBI-p fibers. The fabric for a thermal protective application includes: 5-40 weight % of a blend of PBI-p fiber and PBI-s fiber, and the balance being conventional fibers, where the fabric has equal or better flame-resistant and/or heat-resistant properties and a fabric weight less than an equivalent fabric made with a like amount of PBI-s fiber in place of the PBI-p fibers.

Fabric containing PBI-p fiber

A flame resistant fabric with tracing yarns includes a flame resistant fabric with a first non-tracing yarn, and a second tracing yarn. The first non-tracing yarn and/or the second tracing yarn include flame resistant fibers being selected from the group consisting of inherently flame resistant fibers and treated fibers. When the flame resistant fabric is exposed to heat, flames, long-term excessive UV light, or the like, the first non-tracing yarn is adapted to hold its color and the second tracing yarn is adapted to change colors.

Flame resistant fabric with tracing yarns

A nonwoven for use in a thermal liner for protective apparel includes 1-45 wt % of a first inherently heat resistant fiber excluding an aramid, and a balance of a second heat resistant fiber. The nonwoven excludes wool and has a thickness less than 3 mm and a basis weight of less than 2.9 osy (100 gsm). In another embodiment, the insulating layer for protective apparel includes a nonwoven including an inherently flame resistant fiber and fibers being inherently resistant to moisture absorption. The inherently flame resistant fiber is different from said inherently resistant to moisture absorption fiber. The nonwoven has an equivalent or better thermal protective performance (TPP) and a lower basis weight than an industry standard nonwoven consisting of a nonwoven of para-aramids or meta-aramids or a blend of both.

Thermal liner for protective garments

A unique blend of fibers used to create a yarn or fabric useful in protective garments including a lyocell fiber, and a flame resistant fiber that is not a modacrylic and/or does not require the emission of gases and/or acids for flame resistance. The lyocell fiber is approximately 5% to 55% of the blend, and the flame resistant fiber is approximately 45% to 95% of the blend. The resulting fabric requires no post treatment for flame resistance.

Growing community of inventors

Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Brian Patrick Shiels