US5068073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing polyethylene fibers by high speed spinning of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
Assignee: Akzo NV
•
Filing: 1990-07-13
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2010-07-13
Abstract
Abstract An approximately 1 to 6 wt. % solution manufactured from polyethylene with a molecular weight Mw of at least one million and a solvent is extruded into a spinning duct at an extrusion temperature TE=180 DEG to 250 DEG C. at an extrusion rate VE=5 to 150 m/min. The duct is kept at a temperature of 100 DEG to 250 DEG C. by means of a heating device below the jet outlet area. The fibers are drawn off at a rate Vw of at least 500 m/min, preferably 1500 to 4000 m/min, and freed of the solvent without further stretching. The fibers obtained are especially well suited for manufacturing industrial yarns, protective clothing, bulletproof vests, ropes, and parachutes. In the form of staple fibers, they are suitable for reinforcing various plastics.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert J. Pennings
- 👤 Mees Roukema
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:25
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/04; D01F; D01F6/00; D01F6/02; D01F6/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A process for manufacturing polyethylene fibers by high-speed spinning of a solution of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, comprising the steps of: extruding into a heating zone of a spinning duct a 1 to 6 wt. % solution of polyethylene with a molecular weight M w ≧1 ×10 6 and a solvent at an extrusion temperature T E =180°-250° C. and at an extrusion rate V E =5-150 m/min through spinnerets with jet openings, the cross section of the spinnerets decreasing towards the jet openings; maintaining the heating zone of said spinning duct at a temperature of 100° to 250° C.; blowing a gas on the extruded fibers below the heating zone; pulling the fibers off at a speed V w ≧500 min; wherein the fibers are freed from substantially all of the solvent without further stretching.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A process for manufacturing polyethylene fibers by high-speed spinning of a solution of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, comprising the steps of: extruding into a heating zone of a spinning duct a 1 to 6 wt. % solution of polyethylene with a molecular weight M w ≧1 ×10 6 and a solvent at an extrusion temperature T E =180°-250° C. and at an extrusion rate V E =5-150 m/min through spinnerets with jet openings, the cross section of the spinnerets decreasing towards the jet openings; maintaining the heating zone of said spinning duct at a temperature of 100° to 250° C.; blowing a gas on the extruded fibers below the heating zone; pulling the fibers off at a speed V w ≧500 min; wherein the fibers are freed from substantially all of the solvent without further stretching.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene has a molecular weight M w ≧3.5×10 6 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene has a molecular non-uniformity ##EQU3##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
7 words
Process according to claim 3, wherein U≦3.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein said heating zone is maintained at a temperature of 150° to 190° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process according to claim 5, wherein said duct heating zone temperature is maintained by means of a heater.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein the fiber is pulled off at a speed V w ≧1000 m/min.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process according to claim 2, wherein the fiber is pulled off at a speed V w ≧1000 m/min.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Process according to claim 7, wherein the fiber is pulled off at a speed V 4 =1500-4000 m/min.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein the solution has a viscosity of 1 to 100 Pa/s, measured with D=1 s -1 , at said extrusion temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Process according to claim 2, wherein the solution has a viscosity of 1 to 100 Pa/s, measured with D=1 s -1 , at said extrusion temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Process according to claim 10, wherein the solvent is paraffin oil.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-25 | 2003-05-27 | 2003-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |