Biodegradable textiles, masterbatches, and method of making biodegradable fibers
A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO 3 , an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.
1. A biodegradable fiber comprising:
between 0.009 and 0.011 mass percent calcium carbonate;
polycaprolactone in an amount of 0.39-0.49 mass percent; and
with the remainder being polyethylene terephthalate.
2. The fiber of claim 1 that, when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D5511 for 266 days, decomposes at least 40%.
3. The fiber of claim 1 that, when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D5511 for 266 days, decomposes at least 50%.
4. The fiber of claim 1 that, when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D5511 for 266 days, decomposes between 40% to 80%.
5. The fiber of claim 1 that, when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D5511 for 266 days, decomposes between 40% to 75%.
6. The fiber of any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein the decomposition products from the ASTM testing are primarily methane and carbon dioxide.
7. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 6 , having a dimensional stability such that the textile maintains its shape and shrinks by less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 3%, when subjected to the conditions of Home Laundering Test 20 AATCC 135-2015 1IIAii (machine wash at 80 F, tumble dry, five laundering cycles).
8. A dyed fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , having a colorfastness of at least Grade 3 when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 61-2013 2A (mod 105 F) or AATCC 8-2016, or AATCC 16.3-2014 (Option 3, 20 AFU).
9. A dyed fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , having a colorfastness of at least Grade 4 when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 61-2013 2A (mod 105 F) or AATCC 8-2016, or AATCC 16.3-2014 (Option 3, 20 AFU).
10. A dyed fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , having a colorfastness of Grade 5 when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 61-2013 2A (mod 105 F) or AATCC 8-2016, or AATCC 16.3-2014 (Option 3, 20 AFU).
11. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 10 , having a bursting strength of at least 20 psi (about 138 kpa), when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D3786/D3886M-13.
12. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 10 , having a bursting strength of at least 50 psi (about 345 kpa), when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D3786/D3886M-13.
13. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 10 , having a bursting strength of at least 100 psi (about 689 kpa), when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D3786/D3886M-13.
14. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 10 , having a bursting strength, in the range of 25 to 200 psi (about 172 to about 1379 kpa) when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D3786/D3886M-13.
15. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 10 , having a bursting strength, in the range of 50 to about 150 psi (about 345 to about 1304 kpa) when subjected to the conditions of ASTM D3786/D3886M-13.
16. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 15 , having a wicking ability such that when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 197-2013 (Option B), the textile wicks water over a distance of at least 10 mm in 2 minutes.
17. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 15 , having a wicking ability such that when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 197-2013 (Option B), the textile wicks water over a distance of at least 20 mm in 2 minutes.
18. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 15 , having a wicking ability such that when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 197-2013 (Option B), the textile wicks water over a distance in the range of about 10 mm to about 150 mm in 2 minutes.
19. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 15 , having a wicking ability such that when subjected to the conditions of AATCC 197-2013 (Option B), the textile wicks water over a distance of in the range of about 20 mm to about 150 mm in 2 minutes.
20. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 19 , further comprising polybutylene succinate in an amount of 9-11 mass percent.
21. The fiber of any one of claims 1 to 20 , further comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of 0.05-0.1% weight PLA, 0.05-0.1% weight PHA, 0.05-0.1% weight PBAT, 0.10-0.20% weight PBS, 0.01% weight silicon dioxide, and combinations of these compositions.
22. A textured fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 21 .
23. A yarn formed from the textured fiber of claim 22 .
24. A fabric formed from the yarn of claim 23 .
25. A fabric according to claim 24 selected from the group consisting of woven, nonwoven, and knitted fabrics.
26. A dyed fabric according to claim 25 .