Badische Corporation

E R Higgs

Louis D Hoblit

James R Ryffel

Richard E Harder

Gerald A Berg

Steve R Duffy

Edwin L Stenzel

Hermann Buchert

Walter P Smith

An equilibrium melt from a standard hydrolytic or anionic polymerization of caprolactam is spun at a temperature between about 230.degree. and 270.degree. C. through a spinnerette, preferably one having a multiplicity of holes spaced from each other in an asymmetric arrangement, the spinning take-away speed being less than about 250 meters/minute. The molten strands of polycaprolactam are quenched in two phases: (1) gas at a temperature of less than 20.degree. C. is directed from a first entrance in a crosscurrent flow upon the face of the spinnerette and upon the molten polycaprolactam strands immediately adjacent thereto, and is exhausted adjacent to the back of the spinnerette; and (2) gas at a temperature of less than 20.degree. C. is directed in a countercurrent flow from a second entrance downstream from the first entrance with respect to the direction of movement of the polycaprolactam strands; whereby the surface temperature of the polycaprolactam strands is reduced to 30.degree.-70.degree. C. A drawing and crimping lubricant and antistatic agent is then applied to the surface of the polycaprolactam strands, which are then drawn at a total draw ratio between 3 and 5. The polycaprolactam strands are then crimped and cut into staple lengths, which are subsequently washed in multiple stages, dried, and packaged for subsequent use or sale.

Chip-free staple fiber process

Growing community of inventors

Clute, TX, United States of America

E R Higgs