POLYAMIDE-POLY(ARYLENE ETHER) FIBER AND METHOD FOR ITS PREPARATION
A fiber is prepared by melt extruding a composition including specific amounts of a polyamide and a poly(arylene ether). The ability to prepare the fiber exhibits a non-linear dependence on poly(arylene ether) content, with fibers being well formed in the absence of poly(arylene ether) and in the presence of higher amounts of poly(arylene ether), but fibers being poorly (or not at all) formed in the presence of lower amounts of poly(arylene ether). Compared to a fiber prepared from polyamide alone, the present fiber exhibits improved heat resistance and flame resistance.
1 . A fiber comprising a composition comprising:
about 50 to about 75 weight percent of polyamide consisting of at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamide-6,6 and polyamide-9T; and
about 25 to about 50 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);
wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.
2 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the polyamide consists of polyamide-6,6.
3 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer.
4 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.55 to about 1.6 deciliter per gram, measured at 25° C. in chloroform.
5 . The fiber of claim 1 , having a diameter of about 20 to about 200 micrometers.
6 . The fiber of claim 1 , wherein the composition consists of the polyamide, the poly(arylene ether), and, optionally, less than or equal to 5 weight percent each of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of compatibilizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, polyamide flow promoters, poly(arylene ether) flow promoters, flame retardants, drip retardants, nucleating agents, UV blockers, dyes, and pigments.
7 . A fiber comprising a composition comprising:
about 50 to about 62 weight percent of polyamide; and
about 38 to about 50 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);
wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.
8 . The fiber of claim 7 , wherein the polyamide consists of at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamide-6,6 and polyamide-9T.
9 . The fiber of claim 7 , wherein the polyamide consists of polyamide-6,6.
10 . The fiber of claim 7 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer.
11 . The fiber of claim 7 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.55 to about 1.6 deciliter per gram, measured at 25° C. in chloroform.
12 . The fiber of claim 7 , having a diameter of about 20 to about 200 micrometers.
13 . The fiber of claim 7 , wherein the composition consists of the polyamide, the poly(arylene ether), and, optionally, less than or equal to 5 weight percent each of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of compatibilizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, polyamide flow promoters, poly(arylene ether) flow promoters, flame retardants, drip retardants, nucleating agents, UV blockers, dyes, and pigments.
14 . A method of forming a fiber, comprising:
melt extruding a composition comprising
about 50 to about 75 weight percent of polyamide consisting of at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamide-6,6 and polyamide-9T; and
about 25 to about 50 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);
wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the polyamide consists of at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamide-6,6 and polyamide-9T.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the polyamide consists of polyamide-6,6.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.55 to about 1.6 deciliter per gram, measured at 25° C. in chloroform.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition consists of the polyamide, the poly(arylene ether), and, optionally, less than or equal to 5 weight percent each of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of compatibilizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, polyamide flow promoters, poly(arylene ether) flow promoters, flame retardants, drip retardants, nucleating agents, UV blockers, dyes, and pigments.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the melt extruding is conducted at a temperature of about 250 to about 290° C.
21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the melt extruding is conducted at a pressure of about 2 to about 9 megapascals.
22 . A method of forming a fiber, comprising:
melt extruding a composition comprising
about 50 to about 62 weight percent of polyamide; and
about 38 to about 50 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);
wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the polyamide consists of at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyamide-6,6 and polyamide-9T.
24 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the polyamide consists of polyamide-6,6.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer.
26 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.55 to about 1.6 deciliter per gram, measured at 25° C. in chloroform.
27 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the composition consists of the polyamide, the poly(arylene ether), and, optionally, less than or equal to 5 weight percent each of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of compatibilizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, polyamide flow promoters, poly(arylene ether) flow promoters, flame retardants, drip retardants, nucleating agents, UV blockers, dyes, and pigments.
28 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the melt extruding is conducted at a temperature of about 250 to about 290° C.
29 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the melt extruding is conducted at a pressure of about 2 to about 9 megapascals.