EP1260618A1 - Schmelzklebende Propylenpolymerfasern - Google Patents

Schmelzklebende Propylenpolymerfasern Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1260618A1
EP1260618A1 EP01112487A EP01112487A EP1260618A1 EP 1260618 A1 EP1260618 A1 EP 1260618A1 EP 01112487 A EP01112487 A EP 01112487A EP 01112487 A EP01112487 A EP 01112487A EP 1260618 A1 EP1260618 A1 EP 1260618A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
propylene polymer
fibres
lactone
ppm
bonding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01112487A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1260618B1 (de
Inventor
Marijke Verpoest
Bert Broeders
Henk Van Paridon
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Borealis Technology Oy
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Borealis Technology Oy
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Publication date
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Priority to EP01112487A priority Critical patent/EP1260618B1/de
Priority to DK01112487T priority patent/DK1260618T3/da
Priority to DE60123022T priority patent/DE60123022T2/de
Priority to AT01112487T priority patent/ATE339537T1/de
Priority to AU2002339520A priority patent/AU2002339520A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2002/005616 priority patent/WO2002095095A2/en
Publication of EP1260618A1 publication Critical patent/EP1260618A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1260618B1 publication Critical patent/EP1260618B1/de
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
    • D01F1/00—General methods for the manufacture of artificial filaments or the like
    • D01F1/02—Addition of substances to the spinning solution or to the melt
    • D01F1/10—Other agents for modifying properties
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
    • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
    • D01F6/02—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • D01F6/04—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins
    • D01F6/06—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from polyolefins from polypropylene

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a propylene polymer fibre with improved bonding properties, a process for the production of such fibres and a process for the production of a non-woven by bonding of webs formed by such fibres.
  • a propylene polymer composition comprising further components, as e.g. an anti-oxidant or an acid scavengers, is melt extruded at temperatures of above 200 °C and fibres are spun by passing the melt through a spinnerette and quenching the produced fibres.
  • Such spinning processes today are carried out at high speed in the order of 1000 m/min up to 4000 m/min but still an increase in line speed and output is desirable.
  • the fibres undergo one or more stretching steps after quenching.
  • non-wovens are produced by forming a web followed by a final bonding step.
  • the fibres of the web are bound together, e.g. by passing the web through a calender in which heat and pressure is applied.
  • the bonding process affecting the fibre surface happens within a very short time and temperature window.
  • Such webs and hence non-wovens may be produced either by staple fibres, i.e. fibres which have been stapled after their production, or filaments as e.g. continuous filaments.
  • staple fibres i.e. fibres which have been stapled after their production
  • filaments as e.g. continuous filaments.
  • the term "fibres" as used herein is intended to cover both staple fibres and filaments.
  • the web forming usually comprises a carding step and the fibres are crimped before web forming.
  • the filaments can be spun directly onto a moving belt before the bonding is performed e.g. with a calender (spunbonded fibres).
  • thermo bonding step is one factor, which is limiting the maximum line speed and therefore an improvement of the bonding properties of the fibres in this step is desirable, which in turn effects advantageously to the web strength.
  • the object of the present invention to improve the bonding properties of propylene polymer fibres.
  • the present invention is targeted to improve the bonding properties of staple fibres.
  • the spinning process as well as the bonding step have to be performed within a narrow temperature window. This puts severe restrictions on the process for the production of non-wovens as for obtaining high quality non-wovens the processes have to be carried out and maintained within said narrow temperature windows.
  • the present invention is based on the finding that the above given object can be solved by fibres which have been produced by adding only small amounts of a lactone to the propylene polymer composition prior to the spinning of the fibres.
  • Lactones are defined as organic compounds comprising a cyclic ester group. By the term lactone also mixtures of different lactones are understood. This also applies for preferred embodiments given below.
  • lactones have been in use as components of anti-oxidant compositions their ability to improve the bonding properties of polypropylene staple fibres has not yet been recognized.
  • Commercial suppliers recommend the use of such anti-oxidant compositions in an amount of at least 1300 ppm wherein the amount of lactone is at least 300 ppm.
  • the present invention therefore provides a propylene polymer fibre with improved bonding properties which is characterized in that it comprises a lactone of the furan-2-one type in an amount of at most 200 ppm.
  • the present invention also provides a process for the production of propylene polymer fibres with improved bonding properties which is characterized in that a lactone of the furan-2-one type in an amount of at most 200 ppm is added to a propylene polymer composition before spinning of the fibres.
  • the present invention provides a non-woven which is characterized in that it has been produced by bonding of a web formed by the inventive propylene polymer fibres and a process for producing such non-wovens.
  • the present invention relates to staple fibres, their production, a non-woven comprising such staple fibres and a process for producing such a non-woven.
  • the inventive polypropylene fibres have improved bonding properties so that they allow for the production of non-wovens with improved mechanical properties, in particular mechanical strength.
  • the BI max of the inventive fibres is 20.0 or more, more preferably more than 22, most preferably 22.5 or more.
  • the bonding of the web may be performed by any bonding technique known in the art as e.g. thermobonding, infrared bonding or ultrasound bonding. It is preferred that bonding is performed by thermobonding, e.g. calender bonding or hot air bonding, and further preferred bonding is performed by calender bonding.
  • the bonding process is preferably performed at a speed of at least 150 m/min, more preferably at least 200 m/min and still more preferably of at least 250 m/min.
  • inventive fibres allow for a broad spinning window, i.e. a broad temperature range within which the spinning process for the production of the fibres can be performed, as well as a broad bonding window by calender bonding, i.e. the temperature range within which the bonding step can be carried out, with the fibres still showing improved bonding index.
  • a broad spinning window i.e. a broad temperature range within which the spinning process for the production of the fibres can be performed
  • calender bonding i.e. the temperature range within which the bonding step can be carried out
  • the bonding window is defined the temperature interval in which a bonding index in the non-woven is obtained which differs from the maximum bonding index BI max obtained at optimum bonding temperature by not more than 15 %. In case of a typical good quality non-woven for use e.g. in hygienic absorbent products this corresponds to a difference in the bonding index of about 3 N/5cm compared to BI max .
  • a broad bonding window gives the producer of non-woven fabrics a better possibility of obtaining a uniform product even when using a calendering system with temperature variation over the calender surface or when using a higher bonding speed or lower bonding temperature. This is a considerable advantage for the non-woven producer.
  • the spinning window is defined as the temperature interval in which a bonding index in the non-woven is obtained which differs from the maximum bonding index BI max obtained at optimum spinning temperature by not more than 15 %.
  • furan-2-one type designates all chemical compounds comprising a furan-2-one group.
  • the inventive propylene polymer fibre comprises a lactone of the furan-2-one type in an amount of 200 ppm or less, more preferably of 170 ppm or less, still more preferred of 140 ppm or less and most preferred of 120 ppm or less.
  • the lactone is of the benzofuran-2-one type.
  • benzofuran-2-one and all kinds of possible derivatives made by any kind of substitution are meant.
  • Such compounds are represented by formula (I), wherein R 1 is any kind of substituent other than H, preferably substituted or non-substituted phenyl, and
  • R 2 to R 6 independently are H or any kind of other substituent, preferably alkyl.
  • the above-mentioned lactone is of the benzofuran-3-phenyl-2-one type.
  • This term designates benzofuran-3-phenyl-2-one and all possible derivatives thereof made by any kind of substitution.
  • These compounds are represented by formula (I) wherein R 1 is a phenyl group which may also be substituted by any kind of substituent, preferably alkyl.
  • the lactone comprises benzofuran-3-phenyl-2-one, an alkyl substituted derivative thereof, or a mixture of any of such compounds.
  • R 1 is phenyl group which may further be substituted with alkyl substituents, preferably C 1 - C 4 alkyl, and R 2 to R 5 independently is H or alkyl, preferably H or C 1 - C 6 alkyl.
  • the lactone comprises 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-phenyl-2-one, a methyl substituted derivative thereof or a mixture of any of such compounds.
  • These compounds are represented by formula (I) wherein R 2 and R 4 are tert-butyl, R 3 and R 5 are H, R 1 is phenyl which may further be substituted with one or more methyl groups.
  • the lactone comprises a compound selected from the group of 5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-3-phenyl-2-one, 5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-3-(3,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-one and 5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-3-(2,3-di-methyl-phenyl)-2-one or a mixture of any of such compounds.
  • the lactone comprises Irganox HP-136 of Ciba Speciality Chemicals, which is a mixture of the two last mentioned compounds.
  • the inventive propylene polymer fibre comprises the lactone in an amount of 50 ppm or more, more preferred of 70 ppm or more, still more preferred of 90 ppm or more and most preferred of 100 ppm or more.
  • propylene polymer fibre further comprises an organic phosphite or phosphonite.
  • organic phosphite or phosphonite Such preferred compounds are represented by formula (II): wherein X is either a direct bond or O and R 1 to R 3 are organic residues.
  • Preferred examples of the phosphite and phosphonite include tris(2,4-di-tert-butyl-phenyl)-phosphite (Irgafos 168 of Ciba Speciality Chemicals), tetrakis-(2,4-di-tert.-butylphenyl)-4,4'-biphenylen-di-phosphonite (Irgafos P-EPQ of Ciba Speciality Chemicals), bis-(2,4-dicumylphenyl)-pentaerythritol-diphosphite (Doverphos S-9228 of Dover), bis-(2,4-di-tert.-butylphenyl)-pentaerythrityl-di-phosphite (Ultanox 626), bis-(2-methyl-4,6-bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-phenyl)-phosphorous acid ethylester (I
  • the phosphite or phosphonite is tris(2,4-di-tert-butyl-phenyl)-phosphite (Irgafos 168 of Ciba Speciality Chemicals), tetrakis-(2,4-di-tert.-butyl-phenyl)-4,4'-biphenylen-di-phosphonite (Irgafos P-EPQ of Ciba Speciality Chemicals), bis-(2,4-dicumylphenyl)-pentaerythritol-diphosphite (Doverphos S-9228).
  • the phosphite or phosphonite is present in the inventive propylene polymer fibre in an amount of at least 100 parts by weight (pbw) up to at most 500 pbw with respect to 100 pbw of the lactone, more preferred in an amount of about 200 pbw with respect to 100 pbw of the lactone.
  • the inventive propylene polymer fibre comprises an UV stabilizer.
  • UV stabilizers are known to the skilled person. UV stabilizers effect advantageously to the bonding index.
  • UV stabilizer Tinuvin 622 of Ciba Speciality Chemicals is used.
  • the UV stabilizer is present in an amount of at least 50 pbw up to at most 200 pbw with respect to 100 pbw of the lactone and more preferred in an amount of about 100 pbw with respect to 100 pbw of the lactone.
  • inventive proylene polymer fibre is essentially free of compounds containing phenol groups.
  • the amount of lactone, phosphite and UV stabilizer together is at most 700 ppm, more preferably at most 500 ppm in the inventive polypropylene fibre.
  • the spinning temperature of the fibre is from 220 to 300 °C.
  • the lower temperatures are preferably used for spunbonded fibres and higher temperatures for staple fibres.
  • the spinning temperature of staple fibres is 245 °C to 270 °C.
  • the calender temperature is preferably 140 °C to 155 °C.
  • the invention also provides a process for the production of a non-woven which is characterized in that the non-woven is produced by thermo bonding of the inventive fibres as described above or of fibres prepared according to the inventive process described above.
  • the inventive propylene polymer fibres preferably are produced in a high speed spinning line.
  • this process further comprises a carding step in the web formation.
  • non-woven from staple fibres carding is carried out at high speed, preferably at a speed of 50 m/min or higher.
  • the bonding index of the non-woven is essentially determined by the bonding properties of the fibre so that improved bonding properties of the fibre give an improved bonding index of the non-woven.
  • Figure 1 shows the spinning and bonding window of inventive proylene polymer staple fibres comprising 115 ppm of Irganox HP-136 (composition 1 of the examples).
  • Figure 2 shows the spinning and bonding window of propylene polymer staple fibres comprising Irganox HP-136 in an amount of 160 ppm (composition 2 of the examples).
  • Figure 3 shows the spinning and bonding window of a propylene polymer staple fibre comprising a conventional anti-oxidant system without lactone (composition 3 of the examples).
  • Polypropylene powder with melt flow rate MFR 2 of 12 g/10min (ISO 1133, 2,16 kg, 230 °C) was mixed with additives, extruded and pelletised with conventional extruder. Calcium stearate was used as anti-acidic agent.
  • composition 1 460 ppm Fiberstab L112 Composition 2 650 ppm Fiberstab L112 Composition 3 (comparative) 800 ppm Irgafos 168 + 150 ppm Irganox 3114
  • Fiberstab L112 is composed of 25 wt.% Irganox HP 136 (lactone compound), 50 wt.% Irgafos 168 (phosphite compound) and 25 wt.% Tinuvin 622 (UV stabilizer).
  • the fibres had a fineness of 2.2 dTex.
  • the fibres were texturised to a level of about 12 crimps/cm and cut to 40 mm staple fibres.
  • Nonwoven fabrics were produced using a Hergeth monolayer/Kusters calender having a width of 600 mm.
  • the winder speed of the process line was 100 m/min.
  • the produced web was a web having a weight of 20 gram per square meter.
  • the calander window was between 140 and 152 °C and for each fibre sample, 5 different calender temperature have been used: 140, 143, 146, 149 and 152 °C.
  • thermo bonding window This also applies for the thermo bonding window. It can be seen from Fig 1 and 2 that the inventive compositions have extremely broad thermo bonding window towards the spinning temperature.
  • the spinning temperature can change from 255 °C to 265 °C at constant calender temperature without any effect on the bonding index. If the calender temperature of 146 °C is selected the bonding index is close to 24 over the whole range of spinning temperatures. It is obvious that a system like this is extremely easy to handle for a fibre producer and will lead to a very consistent fibre and non-woven.
  • compositions 1 and 2 accoring to the invention with an amount of 115 ppm and 160 ppm of lactone show an improved bonding index. Bonding index of non-wovens produced with fibres comprising compositions 1, 2 and 3 (comparative).

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Artificial Filaments (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Woven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Multicomponent Fibers (AREA)
  • Polyesters Or Polycarbonates (AREA)
EP01112487A 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Faservlies Expired - Lifetime EP1260618B1 (de)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01112487A EP1260618B1 (de) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Faservlies
DK01112487T DK1260618T3 (da) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Ikke-vævet stof
DE60123022T DE60123022T2 (de) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Faservlies
AT01112487T ATE339537T1 (de) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Faservlies
AU2002339520A AU2002339520A1 (en) 2001-05-22 2002-05-22 A nonwoven formed by bonding of propylene polymer fibres with bonding properties
PCT/EP2002/005616 WO2002095095A2 (en) 2001-05-22 2002-05-22 A nonwoven formed by bonding of propylene polymer fibres with bonding properties

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01112487A EP1260618B1 (de) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Faservlies

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1260618A1 true EP1260618A1 (de) 2002-11-27
EP1260618B1 EP1260618B1 (de) 2006-09-13

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Family Applications (1)

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EP01112487A Expired - Lifetime EP1260618B1 (de) 2001-05-22 2001-05-22 Faservlies

Country Status (6)

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EP (1) EP1260618B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE339537T1 (de)
AU (1) AU2002339520A1 (de)
DE (1) DE60123022T2 (de)
DK (1) DK1260618T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2002095095A2 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004111120A1 (en) * 2003-06-19 2004-12-23 Basell Poliolefine Italia S.R.L. Olefin polymers with stabilisers and polyolefin fibres produced therefrom
EP1736506A1 (de) * 2005-06-24 2006-12-27 Borealis Technology Oy Stabilisierte Propylenzusammensetzung.

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102021202102A1 (de) 2021-03-04 2022-09-08 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung eingetragener Verein Verwendung einer Stabilisatorzusammensetzung zur Stabilisierung von organischen Materialien, Stabilisatorzusammensetzung, Masterbatch, Zusammensetzung, Formmasse der Formteile, Verfahren zur oxidativen, thermischen aktinischen Stabilisierung eines thermoplastischen Kunststoffs sowie Verwendung einer Zusammensetzung

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2315070A (en) * 1996-07-05 1998-01-21 Ciba Geigy Ag Stabilizer mixtures for organic materials
EP0875530A1 (de) * 1997-05-02 1998-11-04 Montell North America Inc. Mischung von Olefinpolymerem mit geringer Rauchentwicklung und daraus hergestellte Fasern und Film
EP0878567A2 (de) * 1997-05-14 1998-11-18 PCD Polymere AG Polyolefinfasern und Polyolefingarne und daraus hergestellte textile Flächengebilde

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2315070A (en) * 1996-07-05 1998-01-21 Ciba Geigy Ag Stabilizer mixtures for organic materials
EP0875530A1 (de) * 1997-05-02 1998-11-04 Montell North America Inc. Mischung von Olefinpolymerem mit geringer Rauchentwicklung und daraus hergestellte Fasern und Film
EP0878567A2 (de) * 1997-05-14 1998-11-18 PCD Polymere AG Polyolefinfasern und Polyolefingarne und daraus hergestellte textile Flächengebilde

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004111120A1 (en) * 2003-06-19 2004-12-23 Basell Poliolefine Italia S.R.L. Olefin polymers with stabilisers and polyolefin fibres produced therefrom
EP1736506A1 (de) * 2005-06-24 2006-12-27 Borealis Technology Oy Stabilisierte Propylenzusammensetzung.
WO2006136451A1 (en) * 2005-06-24 2006-12-28 Borealis Technology Oy Stabilised polypropylene composition

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002095095A3 (en) 2003-02-13
AU2002339520A1 (en) 2002-12-03
ATE339537T1 (de) 2006-10-15
EP1260618B1 (de) 2006-09-13
WO2002095095A2 (en) 2002-11-28
DE60123022T2 (de) 2007-04-19
DE60123022D1 (de) 2006-10-26
DK1260618T3 (da) 2007-01-22

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