Intera Incorporated

International Yarn Corporation of Tennessee

Michael E Dyer

A method is provided for treating active hydrogen atom-containing polymer fibers or fibrous structures made thereof to permanently improve the antistatic, hygroscopic, dye receptive, soil release, inter-fiber adhesion and bonding, and fabric hand properties of the fibers and structures. The method involves contacting the fibers with an aqueous solution containing at least one unsaturated monomer and having an acid pH and a temperature between about 75.degree. C. and about 100.degree. C. After allowing the solution to uniformly disperse among the fibers, so that the monomer intimately contacts the fiber surfaces, the fiber is affected and has essentially single molecule addition of the monomer pendent to the polymer chain to form a branched polymer, graft polymerization of the monomer on the fiber surface is initiated by a polymerization initiator for the monomer, and the polymerization is continued for a sufficient time to allow substantial graft polymerization of the monomer on the fibers to modify the surface properties of the fibers. The fibers are preferably scoured prior to the treatment process, and after polymerization the fibers are rinsed to remove acid and excess homopolymer prior to dyeing and/or further processing of the fibers. The fibers may be in the form of knitted, woven or nonwoven fabrics, and may include amine-containing and/or hydroxy-containing polymers such as nylon, wool, silk, cotton, cellulosic, acetate and combinations thereof.

Process for improving polymer fiber properties and fibers produced

A method is provided for treating and modifying solid, high molecular weight Lewis base polymers, particularly shaped structures such as fibers, filaments or knitted fabrics, to form branched polymer with improved electrical conductivity, water absorbency and dye receptivity while retaining the essential structural shape. The method comprises heating the polymer in the presence of an aqueous treating solution containing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer which does not readily polymerize under the conditions of treatment and a catalyst which is a source of hydrogen ions or protons. The treatment is carried out at a temperature and for a sufficient time so as to effect essentially single molecule addition of the monomer pendent to the polymer chain with substantially no graft polymerization of the monomer to the polymer. A particularly preferred embodiment of the method is the treatment of nylon 6,6 knitted fabric with an aqueous solution of acrylamide and hydrochloric acid for about one hour at 95.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

Treatment of Lewis base polymers to improve antistatic, hygroscopic and

A method is provided for treating polyester, and acrylic polymer fibers or fibrous structures made thereof to permanently improve the antistatic, hygroscopic, dye receptive, soil release, inter-fiber adhesion and bonding properties of the fibers and structures. The method involves contacting the fibers with an aqueous solution containing at least one unsaturated monomer and having an acid pH and a temperature between about 60.degree. C. and about 100.degree. C. After allowing the solution to uniformly disperse among the fibers, so that the monomer intimately contacts the fiber surfaces, polymerization of the monomer on the fiber surfaces is initiated by a polymerization initiator for the monomer, and the polymerization is continued for a sufficient time to allow substantial graft polymerization of the monomer on the fibers to modify the surface properties of the fibers. The fibers are preferably scoured prior to the treatment process, and after polymerization the fibers are rinsed to remove acid and excess homopolymer prior to dyeing and/or further processing of the fibers. The fibers may be in the form of knitted, woven or nonwoven fabrics, and may include mixtures of fibers such as acrylic yarns and nylon filaments or polyester and cotton staple fiber blends.

Shaped structure of polyamide treated with unsaturated monomer to effect

A process for improving the hygroscopic and soil release properties of a polymer substrate is provided in which the substrate is contacted with a suitable aqueous mixture containing a water soluble vinyl monomer and a hydrophobic vinyl monomer at a temperature of between about 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., and initiating polymerization of the water-soluble monomer by a chemical or physical initiator to form a vinyl polymer evenly disposed on the substrate. The hygroscopic and soil release properties of the substrate are thereby improved. The mixture may be in the form of an emulsion wherein the hydrophobic vinyl monomer is emulsified by an appropriate emulsifying agent. The invention also pertains to the improved substrates prepared in accordance with the present process.

Growing community of inventors

Cleveland, TN, United States of America

Michael E Dyer