Particle-filled fiber and articles formed from the same

Abstract

A melt-spun polymer fiber is provided having a cross-section and a length. A detectable particulate has a size of less than 31 microns and present in an amount of 2.0 to 50.0 weight percent loadings of metal or 10 to 80 weight percent loadings of radiopaque particles to render the polymer fiber detectable by metal (magnetic) or X-ray detection, alone or in combination with a secondary functional particulate distributed in or on the polymer fiber to render the polymer fiber chemically responsive to a chemical reactant, change in pH or temperature. The detectable particulate and the secondary functional particulate are each independently present in a core, a sheath, or both portions of polymer matrix. A process of detecting a fabric made from such a fiber. The fabric article passes through detector. A signal is collected from the detector indicative of the presence of the fabric article.