Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A process for the preparation of fibers of syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of syndiotactic polystyrene and isotactic polystyrene which comprises: A. heating syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of syndiotactic polystyrene and isotactic polystyrene, to a temperature between its crystal melting point and the temperature at which the polystyrene undergoes degradation, wherein the polystyrene has sufficient viscosity to be extruded; B. extruding the polystyrene through an orifice to form a fiber at elevated temperatures; C. quenching the fiber by passing the fiber through one or more zones under conditions such that the fiber solidifies; and D. cooling the fiber to ambient temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for the preparation of fibers of syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of syndiotactic polystyrene and isotactic polystyrene which comprises: A. heating syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of syndiotactic polystyrene and isotactic polystyrene, to a temperature between its crystal melting point and the temperature at which the polystyrene undergoes degradation, wherein the polystyrene has sufficient viscosity to be extruded; B. extruding the polystyrene through an orifice to form a fiber at elevated temperatures; C. quenching the fiber by passing the fiber through one or more zones under conditions such that the fiber solidifies; and D. cooling the fiber to ambient temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process of Claim 1, which after step D of Claim 1, further comprises: E. heating the fiber to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polystyrene; and F. redrawing the fiber to elongate the fiber and induce monoaxial orientation of the polystyrene in the fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of Claim 2, wherein the fiber is quenched by passing the fiber through an air zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of Claim 3, wherein the polystyrene is heated prior to extrusion to, and extruded at, a temperature of between 260°C and 320°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of Claim 4, wherein the temperature of the air quench zone is between 0°C and 100°C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of Claim 5, wherein the fiber is drawn down in the air quench zone at a ratio of between 10:1 and 100:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of Claim 6, wherein the fiber is heated for redraw to a temperature of between 150°C and 280°C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of Claim 7, wherein the fiber is redrawn to an elongation ratio of between 1.5:1 and 10:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of Claim 8, wherein the fiber has a tensile strength of 68,948 kPa (10,000 psi) or greater.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A high strength fiber of syndiotactic polystyrene, or a mixture of syndiotactic polystyrene and isotactic polystyrene prepared by the process of Claim 1, wherein the fiber is monoaxially oriented, has a tensile strength of 68,948 kPa (10,000 psi) or greater, and a modulus of 6,894,800 kPa (1,000,000 psi) or greater.