No.7（2004）18.Preparing of Bicomponent Fibers Using Recycled PET Modified with a Chain Extender

Kiyoshi YAMAMOTO, Masahiro KATAGIRI, Tsuyoshi UI, Manabu YOSHINO, Katsuko HARASHIMA

Pyromellitic dianhydride was used as a chain extender to modify the melting properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes produced from post consumer bottles. The reaction of chain extension was carried out using a twin-screw extruder under various extrusion conditions. There was a 20% increase in the intrinsic viscosity of modified PET under moderate extrusion conditions. We performed melt spinning of side-by-side type bicomponent fibers consisting of modified and unmodified PETs. The structure of each component in the bicomponent fibers was investigated using an interference microscope. In comparison with the bicomponent fibers consisting of unmodified PETs of different intrinsic viscosities, crimping of bicomponent fibers consisting of modified and unmodified PETs started to appear at lower take-up velocities. Curvature of the crimp appearing in the bicomponent fibers increased with an increasing difference of birefringence between the two components.

Keywords
Pyromellitic dianhydride, Chain extender, Recycled PET, Bicomponent fibers, Crimp

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