Fibers and fibrets from blends of polybezimidazoles and aromatic

Abstract

Fibers and fibrets of a novel miscible blend of component polymers comprising from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent of a polybenzimidazole and from about 95 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of an aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide-hydrazide or aromatic polyamide containing heterocyclic linkages. Miscibility of the component polymers of the blend is indicated by infrared, X-Ray and Differential Scanning Calorimetry analyses and electron photomicrographs. In fibers or fibrets of a blend mostly comprised of a polybenzimidazole, it is preferred that the aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide-hydrazide or aromatic polyamide containing heterocyclic linkages be present in the blend in an amount sufficient to yield a blend with improved tensile properties compared to the polybenzimidazole and more thermally processable than the polybenzimidazole. The fibers or fibrets of the blend have a lower moisture regain than polybenzimidazole fibers or fibrets. In fibers or fibrets of a blend mostly comprised of an aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide-hydrazide or aromatic polyamide containing heterocyclic linkages, it is preferred that the polybenzimidazole be present in the blend in an amount sufficient to yield a blend with increased thermal stability and nonflammability compared to the aromatic polyamide, aromatic polyamide-hydrazide or aromatic polyamide containing heterocyclic linkages. The fibers or fibrets may be post-treated with heat or sulfuric acid in order to minimize their shrinkage when they are subsequently subjected to heat and in order to increase their resistance to solvents and acid.