Process for obtaining low residual aramid materials

1. A process for reducing the content of one or more residuals in aramid fibers or filaments, comprising, in this order, the steps of

a. introducing the aramid fibers or filaments into a extraction solution being free of any coloring ingredient and adjusted to a pH ranging of from 2 to 7,

b. adjusting the extraction solution and the aramid fibers or filaments to a temperature of from 80° C. to 140° C.

c. removing the aramid fibers or filaments from the extraction solution

d. introducing the aramid fibers or filaments into a first rinsing solution adjusted to a pH ranging of from 2 to 7,

e. optionally comprising a detergent,

f. adjusting the first rinsing solution and the aramid fibers or filaments to a temperature of from 70° C. to 100° C.,

g. removing the aramid fibers or filaments from the first rinsing solution,

wherein the extraction solution is an aqueous solution comprising of from 0 to 40 g/l of a salt component and of from 0 to 40 g/l of a carrier component, and

wherein the sum of the salt and carrier components is of from 20 g/l to 80 g/l;

wherein the process provides aramid fibers or filaments having 0.01 to 0.2 weight percent orthodichlorobenzene; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP); 1,3-Dimethyl-2-Imidazolidinone(DMI); or N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC).

2. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of

h. introducing the aramid fibers or filaments into a second rinsing solution adjusted to a pH ranging from of 2 to 7, optionally comprising a detergent,

i. adjusting the second rinsing solution and the aramid fibers or filaments to a temperature of from 10° C. to 70° C.,

j. removing the aramid fibers or filaments from the second rinsing solution.

3. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a liquor ratio of aramid fibers or filaments to extraction solution is of from 1:1 to 1:180.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction solution comprises the salt component in an amount ranging of from 0 to 20 g/l and the carrier component in an amount ranging of from 20 to 40 g/l, when the liquor ratio is between 1:1 and 1:20, provided that the sum of the salt and carrier components is of from 20 g/l to 60 g/l.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction solution comprises the salt component in an amount ranging of from 20 to 40 g/l and the carrier component in an amount ranging of from 0 to 25 g/l when the liquor ratio is between 1:20 and 1:180; provided that the sum of the salt and carrier components is of from 20 g/l to 65 g/l.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction solution is adjusted to a pH ranging from of 3 to 5.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the aramid fibers or filaments are meta-aramid fibers or filaments.

8. A meta-aramid fiber or filament obtained by the process of claim 7 , wherein it comprises less than 0.1 weight percent of orthodichlorobenzene, and wherein the meta-aramid fiber or filament is a dried, crystalline meta-aramid fiber or filament obtained by dryspinning.

9. A yarn comprising the meta-aramid fiber or filament of claim 8 , and at least one anti-static fiber.

10. A heat, flame and arc resistant garment comprising the aramid fiber or filament according to claim 8 .

11. A heat, flame and arc resistant fabric comprising the aramid fiber or filament according to claim 8 .

12. A meta-aramid fiber or filament obtained by the process of claim 7 , wherein it comprises less than 0.1 weight percent of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or N,N- dimethylacetamide, and wherein the meta-aramid fiber or filament is a dried, crystalline meta-aramid fiber or filament obtained by dry-spinning.