Abstract:
Dimensionally stable articles are produced from heat-treating fabric comprised of multiconstituent filaments prepared from blended fiber-forming polymeric materials having different properties, at least one of the fiber-forming polymeric materials being dispersed as discontinuous fibrils in a lower melting matrix formed by another polymeric material, and natural or synthetic filaments which may or may not have heattreating capabilities. The article is produced by preforming the fabric, during production of the fabric itself or by subsequent operation, and heating the latter to a temperature equal to or above the melting temperature of the multiconstituent matrix material but below that of the dispersed polymeric material, for a time sufficient to impart a shape stabilized property to the multiconstituent filaments and consequently to the fabric article. The multiconstituent filaments are present in the fabric as individual yarn or filament elements in combination with other materials, or are present in a mechanically blended fiber or yarn with other materials.
Abstract:
Stiffened fabric articles useful as garment liners are provided, comprised of multi-constituent yarn elements unidirectionally combined therein in the direction of desired stiffness in said fabric article; said multi-constituent yarn elements being spun form at least two different polymeric materials whose melt temperatures differ by at least 10 degree C. such that, in a given element, a first fiber-forming polymeric material defines a matrix and a second higher melting polymeric material is dispersed therein in the form of discontinuous fibrils, said matrix comprising at least about 50 percent by weight of the element and having a lower melting point than said dispersed fibrils; and said fabric article having been heat-treated at a temperature in the range above the melting point of the matrix but below the melting point of the dispersed fibrils such that the desired unidirectional degree of stiffness is imparted thereto, and whereby fabric strength and appearance are retained. The multi-constituent yarn elements are present in the fabric as individual yarn or fill elements in combination with other materials, or are present in a mechanically blended fiber or yarn with other materials.
Abstract:
A dimensionally stable fabric having a suedelike texture is produced by a process which comprises brushing or napping a fabric containing filaments comprising a polyamide matrix having microfibers of a higher melting synthetic polymer dispersed therein. A substantial number of the filaments of the base or ground of the napped fabric are then fused together at their crossover points to impart dimensional stability to the fabric and retain the original fabriclike appearance. The dimensionally stable fabric retaining its original fabriclike appearance is then contacted with an alkylene glycol having two to about 10 carbon atoms for a period of time sufficient to soften the dimensionally stable fabric thereby imparting a suedelike texture on the brushed or napped surface of the fabric without any substantial loss of dimensional stability in the fused fabric.
Abstract:
Nonwoven web materials are formed from multiconstituent filaments having the ability to self-bond without substantial polymer flow, disfiguration, or cross-sectional flattening when heat-treated, said multiconstituent filaments being spun from at least two different polymeric materials such that, in a given filament, a first fiber-forming polymeric material defines a matrix and a second polymeric material is dispersed therein in the form of discontinuous fibrils, said matrix comprising at least 50 percent by weight of the filament and having a lower melting point than said dispersed fibrils. The multiconstituent filaments may be combined with other fibrous or additive materials in a variety of ways depending on the use intended for the web.