Use of coupling agents for internally reinforced rayon fibers

Abstract

Two difunctional, sterically hindered compounds, 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyldimethylsilyl)-benzene and fumaric acid, were evaluated as possible coupling agents for composite skin-core textile fibers. Other silane coupling agents and surface treatments had been tried previously. The fibers were formed using a process similar to wire coating in which a commercially produced nylon 66 monofilament core fiber, pretreated with coupling agent, contacted a viscose rayon solution in the die. Subsequently, the coated fiber was passed through a sulfuric acid coagulation bath, water wash, and dryer. The coupling agent concentration and coating line speed were evaluated for their effect on enhancement of adhesion. The composite fibers were stitched into a carrier fabric which was subsequently abraded in an Accelerotor to test the effect of the variables on adhesion of the skin to the core. Certain combinations of line speed, concentration, and type of coupling agent were found to provide significant enhancement of adhesion ...