EP2013384A1

EP2013384A1 - Polymer fiber and nonwoven

Info

Publication number: EP2013384A1
Application number: EP07724352A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steffen Bornemann; Markus Haberer
Original assignee: Fiberweb Corovin GmbH
Current assignee: Fiberweb Corovin GmbH
Priority date: 2006-04-28
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-19
Also published as: RU2010132636A; EP2013384B2; EP2013384B1; US20150191853A1; US8987152B2; PL2013384T5; JP2009534549A; BRPI0710984A2; ES2340815T5; DE102006020488B4; MX2008013609A; ATE459736T1; DE102006020488A1; WO2007124866A1; RU2008147001A; BRPI0710984B1; DE502007003010D1; RU2408745C2; PL2013384T3; CN101432472A

Abstract

Polymer thread comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler material, where the amount of filler material present is greater than 10 % with an average particle size (D 50) of =6 mu m. Independent claims are included for a procedure for the preparation of polymer fiber/flat textile structure comprising mixing polymer granulate with a particles of filler material; extruding the mixture through one or more spinning nozzle; removing the formed polymer thread; optionally stretching and/or relaxing the formed filament; and rolling the formed thread.

Description

Polymer thread and nonwoven fabric

The invention relates to a polymer thread containing a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler. The polymer thread is for the production of textile

Sheets, in particular provided by nonwovens.

From the prior art, the production of polymer fibers for nonwoven production with the addition of inactive mineral fillers is known in principle.

No. 6,797,377 B1 describes a process for producing a fabric from a polymer or polymer mixture having a cloth-like structure which has a mineral filler content of up to 10% to ensure the softness of the fabric as it increases For example, it has been found that the addition of TiO ₂ in particular prevents the increasing stiffening of the fabric at higher filler contents Therefore, according to the teaching of US 6,797,377, only a mixture of TiO ₂ and a further mineral filler is used. With regard to the particle size of the filler, a size of 10 to 150 μm is provided in US Pat. No. 6,797,377.

US Pat. No. 6,797,377 gives no indication of the properties of the material with an increase in the filler content and at the same time omitting the addition of TiO ₂ . The importance of particle size and the particle shape for the properties of the final product at higher filler contents is also not disclosed.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a polymer thread with a higher

Filler content, wherein a produced from the polymer thread nonwoven fabric, in comparison to a polymer thread with a filler content <10% by weight, should have substantially unchanged properties. The air permeability, the water column, the average pore size, the permeation times and the mechanical properties, measured as maximum tensile force and maximum tensile elongation at break, are examples of those nonwoven properties which remain substantially unchanged at the filler content of the invention.

To achieve the object, the invention teaches a polymer thread containing a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, which is characterized in that the filler content, based on the polymer thread, more than 10% by weight, and the average particle size (D ₅ o) of Filler is less than or equal to 6 microns.

The core idea of the invention is the recognition that, when the filler content is significantly increased, the particle size of the filler plays a decisive role in ensuring the constancy of the properties of the polymer thread or of the nonwovens produced therefrom. The inventors have recognized that with increased filler content especially the uniform dispersion of the filler in the polymer matrix ensures the consistency of the material properties and they have recognized that the uniformity of the dispersion is essentially dependent on the size and shape of the particles of the filler. For the increased filler content, the range of the appropriate average particle size was determined. This is at a filler content of more than 10% by weight at <6 microns (D ₅₀ ). Before describing the preferred embodiments of the polymer thread according to the invention, the general terms used for the description of the invention for clarification are briefly explained below and put into the context of the invention:

terms

A "thread" in the sense of the invention is a line-shaped structure which forms the basic element of a textile fabric, and thus the term "thread" is to be understood as a common generic term for the terms "filament" and "fiber". A "fiber" differs conceptually from a "filament" by its finite length. Thus, "filaments" are to be understood inter alia as endless fibers.

"Polymers" are macromolecular substances that are composed of simple molecules (monomers) by polymerization, polycondensation or polyaddition. "Filament-forming polymers" in the sense of the invention are polymers which have properties which fulfill the conditions of spinnability in their melt or solution The conditions for the spinnability of polymers were described by Nitschman and Schrade (HeIV Chem. Acta 31 (1948). 297) and by Hirai (Rheol Acta 1 (1958) 213) and by Ziabicki and Taskerman-Krozer (Colloid Z. 198 (1964) 60).

A "filler" within the meaning of the invention relates to particles and other forms of materials which are the polymer

Extrusion mixture can be added, wherein the particles do not affect the polymer and distribute evenly in the extrusion mixture. The filler can be made of different materials, with variations in the shape and size of the particles.

"Textile fabrics" in the context of this description are woven, knitted, knitted or non-woven fabrics. "Nonwovens" are thus a subspecies of textile fabrics. They consist of nonwoven fabrics, which are e.g. by mechanical

Process or by binding fibers or chemical aids or combinations thereof are solidified.

under claims

In a preferred embodiment, the filler of the polymer thread according to the invention consists of an alkaline earth carbonate, in particular of calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is an ideal filler, inter alia, by the following of JT Lutz, and RF Grossman (Eds.), "Polymer Modifiers and Additives", Marcel Dekker, Inc. 2001, page 125 et seq., Characteristics characterized: chemically inert to the polymer or other additives; low specific gravity, desired refractive index and color, low cost.

It should be remembered that calcium carbonate is normally derived from natural chalk deposits and that local geological conditions determine the level of additional minerals in the chalk. For example, in the chalk, among other alkaline earth carbonates, e.g. also metal oxides such as e.g. Be contained iron oxide.

Of course, the use of various alkaline earth metal carbonates or a mixture of two or more of these compounds is conceivable. In particular, calcium carbonate (CaCC> ₃ ) or magnesium carbonates (MgCO ₃ ) or barium carbonate (BaCO ₃ ) are provided. The filler consists of at least 90% by weight, preferably 95% by weight, in particular 97% by weight of calcium carbonate.

Other fillers, one or more of which may be used with or without an alkaline earth carbonate, include iron oxides, alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) or silica (SiO ₂ ) or calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO) or barium sulfate (BaSO ₄ ) or magnesium sulfate (MgSO ₄ ) or aluminum sulfates (AlSO ₄ ) or aluminum hydroxide (AlOH ₃ ). Also suitable are alumina (kaolin), zeolites, kieselguhr, talc, mica or carbon black.

Titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) is also a common filler which can in principle also be used in connection with the invention. However, it has surprisingly been found that At higher calcium carbonate contents can be completely dispensed with the addition of the matting agent titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ). Noteworthy is this fact in view of the task of the present invention, because titanium oxide is more expensive than calcium carbonate and thus an additional cost advantage is given.

In the particularly preferred embodiments of the polymer thread according to the invention, the filler content is between 15 and 25 percent by weight, based on the weight of the polymer thread.

With regard to the particle size, the preferred range of the fillers used according to the invention is <6 μm. This preferably corresponds to a top-cut (D ₉₈ ) of

Filler particles of <10 μm. The value in this case indicates that only 2% of the filler particles are> 10 μm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the particle size is 2-6 microns. The mentioned lower limit makes no statement on the feasibility of the invention with even smaller particle sizes, but characterizes the range of those particle sizes which ensure a uniform dispersion and at the same time are available at favorable cost prices.

With regard to the particle shape of the filler, a distinction is made between spherical (eg glass or silicate spheres), cube-shaped (eg calcium carbonate), cuboid (eg barium sulfate or silica), platelet-shaped (eg talc or mica) or cylindrical particles. For the recovery of the polymer thread according to the invention are generally all thermoplastic compounds in question. The important thread-forming, spinnable thermoplastic polymers are polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides or halogen-containing polymers.

The class of polyolefins includes i.a. Polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, VLDPE, ÜLDPE, UHMW-PE), polypropylene (PP), poly (butobene), polyisobutylene, poly (1-pentene), poly (4-methylpent-1-ene), polybutadiene , Polyisoprene, as well as various

Olefin copolymers. Besides these, heterophasic blends are also among the polyolefins. For example, polyolefins, in particular polypropylene or polyethylene, graft copolymers or copolymers of polyolefins and α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids or carboxylic anhydrides, polyesters,

Polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, polyamides or a mixture of two or more of said compounds can be used.

Among the polyesters are i.a. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), but also degradable polyesters such as polylactic acid (polylactide, PLA) counted.

The halogen-containing fiber-forming polymers include, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In addition to the already mentioned thread-forming synthetic

Polymers, there are other polymers, such as polyacrylates, Polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyoxymethylene, polyimide or polyurea, which come as a component of the polymer thread of the invention in question.

In further preferred embodiments, the polymer thread according to the invention may be formed as a mono- or as a multicomponent filament. The polymer composition of the individual components does not have to be uniform, but is variable within wide limits. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the weight fraction of the filler-containing component, based on the total weight of the multicomponent filament, is greater than 50%.

When using bicomponent filaments, various shapes are available, e.g. Core / coat or side-to-side. Bicomponent filaments of various polyolefins, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene, are particularly preferred.

For the production of polymer filaments, in addition to the use of round fibers, various other cross sections are also suitable. Particularly preferred are monofilaments whose cross-sectional shape is round, oval or n-shaped, where n is greater than or equal to 3, such as trilobal cross-sectional shapes. Also fibers with a hollow cross section come into question.

The polymer threads of the invention can be prepared by methods known per se.

Here we work in the following steps: i mixing polymer granules with the particles of a filler, ii extruding the mixture through one or more

Spinnerets, iii stripping the polymer filament formed, iv optionally stretching and / or relaxing the formed filament, and v winding the filament,

wherein the filler content, based on the polymer thread,> 10% by weight, and the average particle size (D ₅ o) of the filler is <6 microns.

In the production of "spunbonded webs" of synthetic polymers by melt spinning, the polymer melt is forced through orifices through die orifices and withdrawn in the form of filaments via pressure pumps Conventional melt spinning technologies are described, for example, in US 3,692,618 (Metallgesellschaft

AG), US5032329 (Reifenhäuser), WO03038174 (BBA Nonwovens, Inc.) or WO02063087 (Ason).

By stretching the stripped filaments e.g. with the help of compressed air and / or vacuum and / or stretch cylinders, the macromolecules are arranged in the filaments, wherein the filament receives its physical properties (strength, fineness, shrinkage properties). After stretching, the filaments are placed on a tray for further consolidation to a nonwoven fabric or cut to the desired length for the spinning fiber production (in the

Literature sometimes becomes filaments after stretching as fibers although the filaments have not been cut to length). The consolidation of the filaments in melt spinning can be carried out in a manner known to the person skilled in the art by mechanical processes (mainly needling or hydroentanglement), by heat (welding by application of pressure with simultaneous heating) or by means of chemical methods (bonding agent). As a method for nonwoven production in addition to the preferred melt spinning, for example, the carding process, the meltblown process, the wet-laid process, the electrostatic spinning or aerodynamic nonwoven production process can be used.

The fabrics according to the invention, in particular nonwovens, can likewise be produced by the abovementioned processes. Wherein, before the extrusion of the filament, the addition of the filler takes place in the stated amount and particle size. Here, the following steps are used: i mixing polymer granules with the particles of a filler, ii extruding the mixture through one or more

Spinnerets, iii stripping the formed polymer thread, iv optionally stretching and / or relaxing the formed filament, and v depositing the thread for nonwoven production,

wherein the filler content, based on the polymer thread, is> 10% by weight, and the average particle size (D ₅₀ ) of the filler is ≤ 6 μm.

Particular preference is given to using textile fabrics of polyolefin fibers, in particular of polypropylene fibers and / or polypropylene-polyethylene bicomponent fibers, in particular core sheath fibers with PP core and PE sheath. In addition to a low price, these products are characterized by high stability against chemically aggressive environments. In a preferred embodiment, the textile

Sheet of a mixture of a polymeric thread with a uniform or several different natural fiber. Hemp, jute, sisal and tobacco leaves are used as natural fibers.

A further optimization of nonwoven fabric according to the invention in its solidification, e.g. By varying temperatures and pressures during thermal consolidation during calendering, it can certainly help to vary the properties of the calcium carbonate filled nonwoven fabrics beyond the scope given herein.

The nonwoven fabric produced according to the invention is more precisely determined by the following parameters within the specified limits:

Basis weight of 7 and 500 g / m ² , preferably between 10 and 200 g / m ² . Product of basis weight (g / m ² ) and air permeability (l / m ² s, according to DIN EN ISO 9237) in the range of 110,000 ± 20%.

Values for the quotient of water column (according to DIN EN 20811) and basis weight of 2.5 ± 20%.

Filament surface hydrophilized has penetration times after EDANA ERT 150 values of less than 5 seconds.

- Values for the quotient of maximum tensile force (according to DIN 29073-3) and basis weight in the machine direction of 1.7 ± 20%, and in the transverse direction of 1.0 ± 20%.

Values for the quotient of maximum tensile elongation at break (in accordance with DIN 29073-3) and basis weight in the machine direction of 3.3 ± 20%, and in the transverse direction of 4.0 ± 20%.

Filament titer in the range of 1 to 5 dtex, preferably 2 to 3.5 dtex.

In the context of the invention are also the many uses of the nonwoven fabric. The most important possible uses for the nonwovens according to the invention are the production of interlining materials, body hygiene articles (diapers, sanitary napkins, cosmetic pads), cleaning wipes and mop cloths, as well as filters for gases, aerosols and liquids, wound dressings, wound compresses. The production of insulating materials, acoustic nonwovens and roof underlays is conceivable. The field of application so-called geo-tile is, according to the breadth of the preamble, very comprehensive. For example, geo-tiles are used in the attachment of dykes, as a layer in a green roof construction, as a layer of a landfill cover for the separation of earth layers and bulk solids or as an intermediate layer below the ballast bed of a road surface. Also in agriculture and horticulture the nonwovens are useful as covers for the field and vegetable economy.

Examples

Hereinafter, further details and features of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. The examples are not intended to limit the invention, but only to illustrate.

Example 1 Nonwovens Consisting of Monofilaments PP spunbonds with a different content of calcium carbonate and different weight per unit area were produced on a conventional spunbond pilot plant (Reicofil 3). The calcium carbonate used (Omyalene 102M-OG) is a granulated calcium carbonate, which can be obtained from Omya AG.

As a starting material for the production of nonwoven fabrics, a PP prepared using Ziegler-Natta catalysis was selected (ZN-PP: Moplen HP560R, manufacturer Basell), the method presented being not limited to this type of PP, Rather, other suitable for fiber, filament or nonwoven fabric forming plastics, such as metallocene PP, random and heterophasic propylene copolymers, polyolefin block and copolymers, polyethylenes, polyesters, polyamides, etc. are also suitable.

Table 1 summarizes the composition of the nonwoven fabrics produced as well as selected characteristic properties.

Reference is made to the nonwoven fabric samples 12.1, 17.1 and 20.1 made by melt spinning and made of pure PP monofilaments.

The melt-spun nonwoven samples 12.2, 17.2 and 20.2 were made from monofilaments consisting of a mixture of 90% PP and 10% calcium carbonate.

The melt-spun nonwoven samples 12.3, 17.3 and 20.3 were made from monofilaments consisting of a mixture of 85% PP and 15% calcium carbonate.

The melt-spun nonwoven samples 12.4 and 20.4 were made from monofilaments consisting of a blend of 75% PP and 25% calcium carbonate. Table 1. Composition, process conditions, and characteristics of monofilament nonwovens.

Pure PP- PP-nonwovens filled with calcium carbonate

Pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern

12.1 17.1 20.1 12.2 17.2 20.2 12.3 17.3 20.3

composition

PP 100 100 100 90 90 90 85 85 85

Omyalene 0 0 0 10 10 10 15 15 15

Process temperatures

Extruder feed ⁰ C 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180

Extruder head ⁰ C 230 230 230 230 230 230 230 230 230

Spinneret (spinneret) ° C 235 235 235 235 235 235 235 235 235

Calender oil temperature ⁰ C 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150

Calender pressure N / mm 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70

filament

Titre μm 18.1 18.8 19.2 18.3 18.6 19.1 17.3 18.2 19.0

STD 1.21 0.64 0.77 0.90 1.00 0.59 0.77 0.81 0.85

Titer dtex 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.9 3.0 3.1 2.8 3.1 3.3

STD 0.31 0.17 0.21 0.28 0.31 0.19 0.24 0.27 0.30

Nonwoven characteristics

Basis weight g / m ² 12.1 17.5 20.4 11.7 16.8 21.4 11.9 17.5 22.1

STD 0.66 0.80 0.56 0.59 0.51 0.67 0.40 0.57 0.63

Nonwoven thickness μm 216.C) 279.0 312.5 216.5 270.5 303.0 204.5 269.0 303.5

STD 12.4 10.7 11, 8 20.0 9.3 17.8 16.2 13.5 10.0

Fleece density g / cm ³ 0.05e i 0.063 0.065 0.054 0.062 0.071 0.058 0.065 0.073

HOURS - - - - - - - - -

Table 1

continuation

Barrier properties of the nonwovens

Mean Pore μm - 113 114 164 121 103 - 125 115

STD - 3.4 13.1 15.8 2.5 8.3 - 6.4 7.0

Air permeability l / m ² s 8,880 6,610 5,763 9,090 6,950 5,932 9,470 7,010 5,530

STD 537 409 361 644 489 433 878 546 378

Water column cm 5.5 6.7 8.4 4.4 6.8 8.9 3.6 6.9 9.0

STD 0.8 1, 0 1, 2 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.9

Mechanical fleece properties

Maximum tensile strength MD N / 5mm 18.5 31, 9 40.6 18.7 27.2 35.2 16.8 25.4 34.0

STD 3.18 1.85 2.72 2.37 2.22 1.85 1.79 2.88 3.21

Maximum tensile force CD N / 5mm 12.3 21, 3 25.8 10.5 18.8 23.8 9.2 16.0 21, 8

STD 1, 57 1, 39 2.37 0.99 1, 42 2.44 1, 86 2.48 1.90

Maximum elongation at break MD% 41, 5 60.6 64.6 47.3 57.1 57.4 46.9 56.6 59.7

STD 10.35 7.08 6.90 9.56 7.09 6.11 5.52 8.95 9.07

Maximum tensile strength CD% 54.1 64.8 67.0 64.5 66.8 68.0 60.3 59.9 65.1

STD 8.66 7.85 6.82 8.14 7.36 9.37 13.89 8.43 6.61

wettability

Breakthrough time STD 4.3 - 3.1 3.5 - 3.8 - - -

Table 1

continuation

Table 1

continuation

Example 2 Nonwovens consisting of bicomponent fibers

Since other fiber forms are conceivable in addition to the method presented here, multicomponent fibers were also spun for the production of nonwovens, in which the calcium carbonate is not distributed throughout the fiber, but only in individual fiber components.

As examples, nonwovens were made from core / sheath bicomponent fibers.

Table 2 summarizes the composition and its characteristics.

The nonwoven fabric samples 12. IB and 20. IB produced by melt spinning are made of pure PP bicomponent filaments with a core / sheath ratio of 50/50 and are intended as a reference.

The melt-spun nonwoven samples 12.2B and 20.2B consist of PP bicomponent filaments in which the core of the filaments consists of a blend of 90% PP and 10% calcium carbonate and the sheath of pure PP. The core / shell ratio was 75/25. Based on the total fiber, the content of calcium carbonate is about 7.5%.

The melt-spun nonwoven samples 12.3B and 20.3B are made of PP bicomponent filaments in which both the core and the sheath of the filaments are a mixture of 90% PP and 10% calcium carbonate. The Core / shell ratio was 50/50. Based on the total fiber, the content of calcium carbonate is about 5%.

The melt-spun nonwoven fabric sample 20.4B consists of PP bicomponent filaments in which the core of the filaments consists of a mixture of 75% PP and 25% calcium carbonate and the sheath of pure PP. The core / shell ratio was 50/50. Based on the total fiber, the content of calcium carbonate is about 12.5%.

The melt-spun nonwoven fabric sample 20.5B consists of PP bicomponent filaments in which the core of the filaments consists of a blend of 75% PP and 25% calcium carbonate and the sheath of pure PP. The core / shell ratio was 75/25. Based on the total fiber, the content of calcium carbonate is about 18.75%.

It is understood that the blends for producing the nonwoven fabrics may contain, in addition to the specified formulations, other additives or blends, in particular titanium dioxide or pigments.

Table 2. Composition, process conditions, and characteristics of nonwovens made from bicomponent fibers.

Pure PP

Nonwovens filled with calcium carbonate Nonwovens

Pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern pattern

12.1 B 20.1 B 12.2B 20.2B 12.3B 20.3B 20.4B 20.5B

Sheath / core ratio 50/50 50/50 25/75 25/75 50/50 50/50 50/50 25/75

Core composition

PP 100 100 90 90 90 90 75 75

Omyalene 0 0 10 10 10 10 25 25

Coat composition

PP 100 100 100 100 90 90 100 100

Omyalene 0 0 0 0 10 10 0 0

Process temperature

Extruder 1st zone ⁰ C 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180

Extruder head ⁰ C 230 230 230 230 230 230 230 230

Spinneret ° C 235 235 235 235 235 235 235 235

Calender oil temperature ⁰ C 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150

Calendar roller pressure N / mm 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70

filament

Titers μm 16.9 16.5 17.3 17.3 17.1 17.1 17.1 17.0

STD 0.41 0.90 0.93 0.47 1, 05 1, 15 0.38 0.57

Titre dtex 2.0 1, 9 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.6 2.8

STD 0.10 0.21 0.25 0.13 0.28 0.32 0.12 0.19

web formation

Basis weight g / m ² 12.3 20.1 12.4 20.6 13.1 21, 0 19.5 20.3

STD 0.39 0.67 0.49 0.46 0.33 0.56 0.96 1.08

barrier properties

Air permeability I / m ² s 7760 5017 7988 5241 7564 5017 5492 5166

STD 468 270 321 471 467 294 445 313

Table 2

continuation

Mechanical properties

F max MD N / 5mm 19.4 44.7 15.9 34.9 18.7 35.9 43.4 43.2

STD 1.46 3.68 1.89 2.39 1.69 3.45 2.20 5.26

F max CD N / 5mm 13.4 31.8 12.3 26.0 13.9 25.7 29.0 30.7

STD 1.30 4.22 1.95 3.52 1.48 2.26 2.26 2.60

Elongation MD% 37.7 66.2 39.6 53.3 42.0 59.2 64.5 63.5

STD 6.06 6.03 7.83 7.82 3.83 9.43 6.79 11.54

Elongation CD% 50.6 70.6 52.3 66.7 55.1 64.5 68.8 64.8

STD 4,70 7,37 11,29 11,25 5,20 7,69 4,99 8,94

κ>

kt

The results in Tables 1 and 2 show that, surprisingly, the addition of the calcium carbonate does not cause a significant change in the characteristic nonwoven properties.

Example 3: Hydrophilicity after filler additions

Nonwovens used for personal care products (e.g., diapers) are typically rendered hydrophilic. For example, the hydrophilizing agent Nuwet 237 from GE SILOCONES can be used for this purpose.

For testing the hydrophilicity as a function of the content of calcium carbonate, both pure PP nonwovens and those with a calcium carbonate content of 10% and a basis weight of 12 g / m ² and 20 g / m ^{2 were} admixed by a formulation consisting of 7.5%. Nuwet 237 in water, hydrophilized by kiss roll application. The amount of active substance applied in this way was about 0.2% based on the weight of the web.

Penetration times of 4.3 seconds (12 g / m ² ) and 3.1 seconds (20 g / m ² ), respectively, were measured for the non-calcium carbonate hydrophilized nonwoven fabrics. For the hydrophilized nonwovens with a content of 10%

Calcium carbonate penetration times of 3.5 seconds (12 g / m ² ) and 3.8 seconds (20 g / m ² ) were measured.

It was thus shown that the addition of 10% calcium carbonate has no significant influence on the hydrophilic properties. methods

Determination of filament titer

The filament titer was determined by means of a microscope. The conversion of the measured titer (in microns) into Dezitex was made according to the following formula (density PP = 0.91 g / cm ³ ):

Determination of basis weight

The basis weight determination was carried out according to DIN EN 29073-1 on 10 x 10 cm specimens.

The nonwoven fabric thickness was measured as the distance between two plane-parallel measuring surfaces of a certain size, between which the nonwovens are below a predetermined measuring pressure. The method was carried out analogously to DIN EN ISO 9073-2. Application weight 125 g, measuring surface 25 cm ² , measuring pressure 5 g / cm ²

Determination of mean pore size

The average pore size of the nonwovens was determined by means of a capillary flow porometer (PMI Capillary Flow Porometer CFP-34RUF8A-3-X-M2T). In the process, a sample saturated with a special liquid in the porometer becomes one continuously increasing air pressure, the dependence of air pressure and air flow is measured.

Determination of air permeability

The measurement of the air permeability was carried out according to DIN EN ISO 9237. The surface of the measuring head was 20 cm ² , the applied test pressure 200 Pa.

Determination of the water column

The determination of the water column was carried out in accordance with DIN EN 20811. Gradient of the test pressure 10 mbar / min. As a measure of the watertightness of the water pressure in mbar or mm water column is given, in which at the third point of

Test surface of the first drops of water penetrates through the test material.

Determination of mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of the nonwovens were determined according to DIN EN 29073-3. Clamping length: 100mm, sample width 50mm, feed 200mm / min. "Maximum tensile force" is the maximum force reached when passing through the force-strain curve, "Maximum tensile strain" is the strain in the force-strain curve associated with the maximum tensile force.

Determination of hydrophilicity

The penetration times of the hydrophilized nonwovens ("liquid strike through time") were measured according to EDANA ERT 150.

Claims

claims

Polymer yarn comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, characterized in that the filler content, based on the polymer thread, is> 10% by weight, and

- The average particle size (D ₅₀ ) of the filler is <6 microns.

2. Polymer thread according to claim 1, characterized in that the filler is an alkaline earth carbonate.

3. Polymer thread according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the filler consists of at least 90% by weight, preferably 95% by weight, in particular 97% by weight of calcium carbonate.

4. Polymer thread according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filler contains no titanium dioxide.

5. Polymer thread according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filler content, based on the polymer thread, is between 15 and 25% by weight.

6. Polymer thread according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top cut of the filler particles (D ₉₈ ) is <10 microns.

7. Polymer thread according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the average particle size of the filler (D ₅₀ ) is preferably between 2 microns and 6 microns.

8. Polymer thread according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer is a polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide or a halogen-containing polymer.

Polymer thread according to claim 8, characterized in that the polyolefin is a polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (buthene), polyisobutylene, poly (1-pentene), poly (4-methylpent-1-ene), polybutadiene, polyisoprene or a Mixture of two or more of said compounds.

Polymer yarn according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer yarn is a monofilament or a multicomponent filament, wherein in the case of the multicomponent filament either all components of the filament consist of the same polymer composition or of different polymer compositions.

Polymer thread according to Claim 10, characterized in that the multicomponent filament is a bicomponent filament or a side-by-side filament formed as a bicomponent filament, wherein the filler is contained in each case only in one component.

Polymer thread according to claim 11, characterized in that the proportion by weight of the filler-containing components of the filament, based on the weight of the multicomponent filament, is> 50% by weight.

13. Polymer thread according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer thread has different cross sections, in particular a hollow cross section or a trilobal cross section.

14. A process for producing a polymeric filament according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: i mixing polymer granules with the particles of a filler, ii extruding the mixture through one or more

Spinnerets, iii stripping the polymer filament formed, iv optionally stretching and / or relaxing the filament formed, and v winding the filament, characterized in that the filler content, based on the polymer filament, is> 10% by weight, and the average particle size (D. ₅ o) of the filler is <6 microns.

15. Textile fabric, characterized in that the textile fabric contains polymer threads according to one of claims 1 to 13.

16. Textile fabric according to claim 15, characterized in that the textile fabric is a nonwoven fabric.

17. A process for producing a textile fabric according to claim 16 comprising the steps of: i mixing polymer granules with the particles of a filler, ii extruding the mixture through one or more spinnerets, iii stripping off the polymer filament formed, iv optionally stretching and / or relaxing the formed Filaments, and v deposition of the thread for nonwoven production, characterized in that the filler content, based on the polymer thread,> 10% by weight, and the average particle size (D ₅₀ ) of the filler is <6 microns.

18. Textile fabric according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the textile fabric consists of the mixture of a polymer thread according to one of claims 1 to 13 with a uniform or several different natural fiber.

19. Use of the nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 16 and 17 for the preparation of

Personal hygiene articles (diapers, sanitary napkins, cosmetic pads),

Cleaning cloths, wipes, mop cloths Filter eg for gases, aerosols and liquids,

Wound dressings, wound compresses

Insulating materials, acoustic nonwovens

interlinings

Roof linings,

Geovliesen, or from

Covers for the field and vegetable industry.