Polymers, Fibers

Acrylonitrile has been grafted onto many polymeric systems. In particular, acrylonitrile grafting has been used to impart hydrophilic behavior to starch (143—145) and polymer fibers (146). Exceptional water absorption capabiUty results from the grafting of acrylonitrile to starch, and the use of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid [15214-89-8] along with acrylonitrile for grafting results in copolymers that can absorb over 5000 times their weight of deionized water (147). 

MPD-1 fibers may be obtained by the polymeriza tion of isophthaloyl chloride and y -phenylenediamine in dimethyl acetamide with 5% lithium chloride. The reactants must be very carefully dried since the presence of water would upset the stoichiometry and lead to low molecular weight products. Temperatures in the range of 0 to —40° C are desirable to avoid such side reactions as transamidation by the amide solvent and acylation of y -phenylenediamine by the amide solvent. Both reactions would lead to an imbalance in the stoichiometry and result in forming low molecular weight polymer. Fibers are dry spun direcdy from solution. 

Itaconic acid is a specialty monomer that affords performance advantages to certain polymeric coatings (qv) (see Polyesters, unsaturated). Emulsion stabihty, flow properties of the formulated coating, and adhesion to substrates are improved by the acid. Acrylonitrile fibers with low levels of the acid comonomer exhibit improved dye receptivity which allows mote efficient dyeing to deeper shades (see Acrylonitrile polymers Fibers, acrylic) (10,11). Itaconic acid has also been incorporated in PAN precursors of carbon and graphite fibers (qv) and into ethylene ionomers (qv) (12). 

Fabrics composed of synthetic polymer fibers are frequendy subjected to heat-setting operations. Because of the thermoplastic nature of these fibers, eg, polyester, nylon, polyolefins, and triacetate, it is possible to set such fabrics iato desired configurations. These heat treatments iavolve recrystaUization mechanisms at the molecular level, and thus are permanent unless the fabrics are exposed to thermal conditions more severe than those used ia the heat-setting process. 

X-ray diffraction consists of the measurement of the coherent scattering of x-rays (phenomenon 4 above). X-ray diffraction is used to determine the identity of crystalline phases in a multiphase powder sample and the atomic and molecular stmctures of single crystals. It can also be used to determine stmctural details of polymers, fibers, thin films, and amorphous soflds and to study stress, texture, and particle size. 

Non-woven A porous web or sheet produced by mechanically, chemically or thermally bonding together polymers, fibers or filaments. 

J. I. Kroschwitz, Polymers Fibers and Textiles, John Wiley Sons, New York (1990). 

Active Figure 31.3 Oriented crystallite regions in a polymer fiber. Sign in at www.thomsonedu.com to see a simulation based on this figure and to take a short quiz. 

Gorbatkina YuA (1987) Adhesion Strength in Polymer-Fiber Systems. Khimiya,... 

At present, it is known that the structures of the ECC type (Figs 3 and 21) can be obtained in principle for all linear crystallizable polymers. However, in practice, ECC does not occur although, as follows from the preceding considerations, the formation of linear single crystals of macroscopic size (100% ECC) is not forbidden for any fundamental thermodynamic or thermokinetic reasons60,65). It should be noted that the attained tenacities of rigid- and flexible-chain polymer fibers are almost identical. The reasons for a relatively low tenacity of fibers from rigid-chain polymers and for the adequacy of the model in Fig. 21 a have been analyzed in detail in Ref. 65. 

CL must be very carefully purified to exclude small concentrations of (1) ferric ions which would catalyze die thermal oxidative degradation of polycaprolactam and (2) aldehydes and ketones which would markedly increase oxidizability of CL. The impurities in CL may retard die rate of CL polymerization as well as having a harmful effect on die properties of die polymer fiber. In die vacuum depolymerization of nylon-6, a catalyst must be used because in die absence of a catalyst by-products such as cyclic olefins and nitrides may form, which affects the quality of die CL obtained.1... 

Light wave technologies provide a number of special challenges for polymeric materials. Polymer fibers offer the best potential for optical communications in local area network (LAN) applications, because their large core size makes it relatively cheap to attach connectors to them. There is a need for polymer fibers that have low losses and that can transmit the bandwidths needed for LAN applications the aciylate and methacrylate polymers now under study have poor loss and bandwidth performance. Research on monomer purification, polymerization to precise molecular-size distributions, and weU-controlled drawing processes is relevant here. There is also a need for precision plastic molding processes for mass prodnction of optical fiber connectors and splice hardware. A tenfold reduction in the cost of fiber and related devices is necessaiy to make the utilization of optical fiber and related devices economical for local area networks and tlie telecommunications loop. 

Lower-density E-plastomers have found alternate use in cast film processes to make elastic film laminates with good breathability which contain laminates of liquid impermeable extensible polymeric films with extensible-thermoplastic-polymer-fiber nonwovens and nonwoven webs of polyethylene-elastomer fibers as the intermediate layers. The development relates to a breathable film including an E-plastomer and filler that contributes to pore formation after fabrication and distension of the film. The method and extent of distension is designed to produce a breathable film by stretching the film to form micropores by separation of the film of the E-plastomer from the particulate solids. This film is useful for manufacture of absorbent personal-care articles, such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins and medical garments. In detail, these constructions comprise a liquid impermeable extensible film comprising polyolefins. The outer layer contains extensible-thermoplastic-polymer-fiber nonwovens, and an elastic intermediate layer contains nonwoven webs of fiber E-plastomers. The intermediate layer is bonded to the film layer and the outer... 

Microscopic techniques are extensively used to study the surface morphology of reinforcing fibers. The characterization of microstructure of polymer fibers provides an insight into stmcture-property relationship of the fiber. Microscopy techniques have been employed for the... 

The Mackie-Mears expression has been extensively used in the analysis of diffusion in polymers where it is assumed that the obstacles, i.e., the polymer fibers, are of the same order of magnitude as the radius of the solute. 

Although they have an endless variety of properties, polymers can be divided into three general categories, based on their form and resistance to stretching. These are plastics, fibers, and elastomers. Plastics differ in form from fibers whereas plastics exist as blocks or sheets, fibers have been drawn into long threads. Unlike plastics or fibers, elastomers can be stretched without breaking. Polyethylene packaging films and polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe are examples of plastics. Orion carpets are made from polymer fibers, and mbber bands are elastomers. Some polymers, such as Nylon, can be formed into both plastics and fibers. 

Kimira, T, Yamato, M., Koshimizu, W., Koike, M. and Kawai, T. (2000) Magnetic orientation of polymer fibers in suspension. Langmuir, 16, 858-861. 

We use the spinning process to make polymer fibers and filaments that can be converted into fabrics and cordage. During fiber spinning, molten polymer is pumped through holes in a plate to form a multiplicity of strands that are rapidly stretched and cooled. The finished product comprising oriented fibers is either wound up on spools or converted directly into a non-woven fabric. 

Combinatorial approach to unsymmetrically tiered macromolecules [214] is a brand new area of research which would allow dendrimerization of materials (e. g., glass, classical polymers, fibers) and thus enable fine tuning of macromole-cular properties. For example, treatment of an amine terminated dendrimer with a mixture of complementary, isocyanate-based monomers [215, 216] affords a heterogeneous surfaced dendrimer. Selective transformation of the surface nitrile moieties via metal-catalyzed reduction to obtain a new polyamine dendrimer allows further combinatorial-based elaboration as illustrated in Fig. 42. 

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