No.3（2008）2.Preparation of Bicomponent Fibers for Achieving Zero-emissions in Weight-reducing Treatments

Kiyoshi Yamamoto, Shigeru Fujita

Synthetic fibers consisting of polyester and block copolymer were prepared to achieve zero emissions in weight-reducing treatment of polyester fabrics. Since styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer is soluble in d-limonene, which is used for recycling of polystyrene foam, a high-flow type of the block copolymer was used as a removable component in the fibers. Melt spinning of polymer blend fibers consisting of polyester and the block copolymer was not viable at an appropriate volume ratio of the two polymers due to the lack of spinnability, while high-speed melt spinning of bicomponent fibers consisting of the same components was achievable. Birefringence and density of the polyester component in the bicomponent fibers increased with increasing take-up velocity, and shrinkage of the fibers drastically decreased at a take-up velocity of 5 km/min.

Keywords

weight-reducing treatment, limonene, block copolymer, bicomponent fibers, high-speed melt spinning

Back to Contents