EP4314399A1

EP4314399A1 - Air texturized yarns

Info

Publication number: EP4314399A1
Application number: EP22715906.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcos Rogerio MARTINO; Jocimar FAE
Original assignee: Lycra Co UK Ltd
Current assignee: Lycra Co UK Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-25
Filing date: 2022-03-23
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: JP2024513768A; BR112023019595A2; WO2022204222A1; KR20230160346A; CN117178085A; TW202307301A

Abstract

Air texturized yam with a core fiber and polyamide or polyester fiber, fabrics and garments of the air texturized yarn, and methods for production of the air texturized yarn and fabrics and garments thereof are provided.

Description

AIR TEXTURIZED YARNS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/165,987 filed March 25, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to air texturized yam comprising a core fiber and polyamide or polyester fiber, fabrics comprising the air texturized yarn, and methods for production of the air texturized yam and fabrics and garments thereof.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Nylon yam is used in a variety of knit and woven fabrics due to its durability, versatility, and its ability to be worn time and time again without losing performance properties. However, while nylon is notable for being lightweight while exhibiting excellent strength, abrasion resistance, luster and resilience, this synthetic polymer does not have a soft hand, making it undesirable for apparel use.

[0004] Accordingly, there has been an ongoing effort to obtain visually aesthetic fabrics with soft hand and stretch and recovery effects.

[0005] SUPPLEX® nylon is a type of nylon that is disclosed to look and feel more like cotton but still has the durability of the nylon fiber. To make SUPPLEX®, the nylon is extruded through the smallest possible holes, creating a fiber that is ultra-thin, lightweight, and flexible. Thousands of these ultra-fine fibers can be wrapped together to form a SUPPLEX® fabric disclosed to be as comfortable as cotton but without shrinking, wrinkling or fading in color.

[0006] In some applications, nylon yarns have been used to cover elastomeric spandex either by twisting or by air jet texturing. As a result, some fabrics made from these yarns have a good stretch and recovery, but often do not have the desired visual aesthetics. Moreover, spandex is a rubbery fiber, which does not absorb dyes well. Also, because spandex is a rubbery fiber, it does not provide the desired soft feel or "hand".

[0007] Other efforts have led to the production of bicomponent yams. For example,

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,949 and 4,740,339 teach polyamide conjugate filaments, or bicomponent yarns, and methods of preparing them using an in-line spinning and stretching method. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,379 discloses bicomponent fibers of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate), prepared by melt- spinning, drawing, and annealing.

[0008] The benefit of bicomponent yams as described in these patents is that they produce a bulking or crimping effect that is useful in the construction of stretch garments. For example, these patents teach that by using polymers having different shrinkages in the bicomponent yarn, the desired bulking or crimping effect may be attained. This differential shrinkage can be obtained by using different polymers, or using similar polymers with different relative viscosities. However, fabrics made up solely of bicomponent yarns often do not have the desired visual effects, soft hand, and stretch and recovery.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,429 discloses a bicomponent effect yam comprising a bicomponent yam and a second yam that may be knitted or woven into fabrics having desired visual impact, hand, and stretch and recovery. Moreover, because these woven fabrics are preferably made of nylon yams, they are also dyeable and durable. The texture of the fabrics made from these yarns are disclosed to have a smooth and velvety hand as compared to other fabrics that are known.

[00010] There is a need for yarn and fabrics and garments produced from such yarn which provide a cool and dry effect while also providing high stretch and recovery and maintenance of shape for a longer time.

SUMMARY

[00011] An aspect of the present invention relates to yam comprising a core fiber and polyamide or polyester fiber produced by air jet texturizing which can be used in fabric and garments to provide a cool and dry effect while also providing high stretch and recovery and maintenance of shape for a longer time.

[00012] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing yam for use in fabric and garments with a cool and dry effect, high stretch and recovery and maintenance of shape for a longer time which comprises air texturizing together a core fiber and polyamide or polyester fiber.

[00013] Another aspect of the present invention relates to fabrics and garments with a cool and dry effect, high stretch and recovery and maintenance of shape for a longer time comprising a yam comprising a core fiber and polyamide or polyester fiber produced by air jet texturizing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00014] Provided by this disclosure are air texturized yarn and fabric and garments containing the yam which exhibit a cool and dry effect, high stretch and recovery and maintenance of shape for a longer time,

[00015] The yam of this disclosure comprises a core fiber.

[00016] In one nonlimiting embodiment, the core fiber is a polyester fiber.

[00017] In one nonlimiting embodiment, the core fiber is a bicomponent fiber.

[00018] The term "bicomponent fiber", used herein interchangeably herein with “bicomponent yam”, refers to a conjugated product of at least two melt-spinnable fiber components, wherein the conjugated product has at least two different longitudinally coextensive polymeric segments. The fiber components are composed of any suitable melt- spinnable fiber-forming polymers known in the art. Suitable fiber-forming polymers for the first and/or second component of the bicomponent include any homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of polyamides, polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters, viscose polymers, such as rayon, and acetate. The term, "bicomponent," is not intended to be limited to only two components, but is intended to include three or more components, which would produce a conjugated product having at least three or more different longitudinally coextensive polymeric segments. Such bicomponent can be termed multicomponent fibers.

[00019] A preferred bicomponent fiber is a fiber comprising a pair of polymers intimately adhered to each other along the length of the fiber, so that the fiber cross-section is for example a side-by-side, eccentric sheath-core or other suitable cross-section from which useful crimp can be developed. Also, preferably the fiber has considerable bulk.

[00020] The term "shrinkages", as used herein, refers to the reduction of the longitudinal dimension of each of the components of the bicomponent fiber when exposed to moist heat. This differential shrinkage between the components of the bicomponent fiber may be attained by selecting fiber-forming polymers that differ in one or more of the types of polymers, properties of the polymers, such as relative viscosity, crystallizable properties, cross-section, the amount of additives present in each polymeric segment, or a combination of these properties. These differences in the components of the bicomponent fiber provide the differential shrinkage to effectuate a bulking effect or different longitudinally coextensive polymeric segments. The components of the bicomponent fiber may be arranged as desired, for example, in a side-by-side or sheath-core arrangement. To give the best aesthetic effect, the sheath-core should preferably have an eccentric or asymmetric sheath-core arrangement. [00021] Suitable homopolyamides for the bicomponent fiber core include, but are not limited to, polyhexamethylene adipamide homopolymer (nylon 66); polycaproamide homopolymer (nylon 6); polyenanthamide homopolymer (nylon 7); nylon 10; polydodecanolactam homopolymer (nylon 12); polytetramethyleneadipamide homopolymer (nylon 46); polyhexamethylene sebacamide homopolymer (nylon 610); the polyamide of n- dodecanedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine homopolymer (nylon 612); and the polyamide of dodecamethylenediamine and n-dodecanedioic acid homopolymer (nylon 1212). Copolymers and tcrpo!ymcrs of the monomers used to form the above-mentioned homopolymers are also suitable for the present invention.

[00022] Suitable copolyamides for the bicomponent fiber core include, but are not limited to, copolymers of the monomers used to form the above-named homopolyamides. In addition, other suitable copolyamides include, for example, nylon 66 contacted and intimately mixed with nylon 6, nylon 7, nylon 10, and/or nylon 12. Illustrative polyamides also include copolymers made from dicarboxylic acid component, such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, adipic acid, or sebacic acid; an amide component, such as polyhexamethyleneterephthalamide, poly-2 -methylpentamethyleneadipamide, poly-2- ethyltetramethyleneadipamide, or polyhexamethyleneisophthalamide; a diamine component, such as hexamethylenediamine and 2-methylpentamethylenediamine; and 1,4- bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane. Preferably, one component of the bicomponent yarn is a copolyamide of nylon 66 copolymerized with poly-2-methylpentamethyleneadipamide (MPMD). This copolyamide may be made by polymerizing adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and MPMD together. Most preferably, one component of the bicomponent yarn is a copolyamide of nylon 66 copolymerized with poly-2- methylpentamethyleneadipamide, and the second component is nylon 66.

[00023] The above copolyamides may be made by methods known in the art. For example, a suitable copolyamide may be made by mixing fixed proportions of each polyamide component in the form of flake or polymer granulate and extruding as a homogeneous filament. Alternatively, the copolyamide may be made by mixing the appropriate monomers in an autoclave and carrying out the polyamidation process as is known in the art. Either process is suitable for making the copolyamides employed in this invention.

[00024] Terpolyamides of the monomers used to form the above-mentioned homopolymers may also be suitable for the present invention and may be made by processes known in the art. [00025] The fiber-forming polymers of the bicomponent yam may also be any known polyesters, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate. Polypropylene terephthalate) is also known as poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) as poly(tetramethylene terephthalate). The polyesters may be homopolymers or copolymers of these polyesters. The polyesters can be made by processes known in the art,

[00026] Preferred polyesters are described next. The notation " // “ is used to separate the two polymers used in making a bicomponent fiber. "2G" means ethylene glycol, "3G" means 1,3-propane diol, "4G" means 1 ,4-butanediol, and "T" means terephthalic acid. Thus, for example, "2G-T//3G-T" indicates a bicomponent fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly (trimethylene terephthalate).

[00027] The two polyesters of the polyester bicomponent used in the bicomponent effect yam of the present invention can have different compositions, for example 2G-T and 3-G-T (preferred) or 2G-T and 4G-T, and preferably have different intrinsic viscosities. Alternatively, the compositions can be the same, for example 2G-T, but the intrinsic viscosities can be different. Other useful polyesters include poly(ethylene 2,6-dinaphthalate, poly(trimethylene 2,6-dinaphthalate), poly(trimethylene bibenzoate), poly (cyclohexyl 1,4- dimethylene terephthalate), poly( 1,3-cyclobutane dimethylene terephthalate), and poly(l,3- cyclobutane dimethylene bibenzoate), it is advantageous for the polymers to differ both with respect to intrinsic viscosity ("IV") and composition, for example, 2G-T having an IV of about 0.45-0.80 dl/g and 3G-T having an IV of about 0.85-1.50 dl/g, to achieve a high after- heat-set crimp contraction value.

[00028] One or both of the polyesters of the polyester bicomponent fiber can be copolyesters. For example, a copoly(ethylene terephthalate) can be used in which the comonomer used to make the copolyester is isophthalic acid, pentanedioic acid, hexanedioic acid, 1,3 -propane diol, or 1,4-butanediol. The comonomer can be present in the copolyester at levels of about 0.5-15 mole percent. Use of a copolyester can be especially useful when both polyesters are otherwise the same, for example 2G-T//2G-T/I. The copolyester(s) can also contain minor amounts of other comonomers such as 5-sodium-sulfoisophthalate at a level of about 0.2-5 mole percent, provided such comonomers do not have an adverse effect on the beneficial effects of the invention.

[00029] The polymers used to make up the bicomponent fiber may have any cross- sectional shape. The cross-sectional shapes, for example, may include round, oval, trilobal, shapes with higher numbers of symmetric lobes, and dog-boned shape. [00030] In one nonlimiting embodiment, the bicomponent core fiber is a bicomponent filament.

[00031] By "bicomponent filament" it is meant a filament comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) intimately adhered to each other along the length of the filament, so that the filament cross-section is for example a side-by-side, eccentric sheath-core or other suitable cross-section from which useful crimp can be developed. Such filaments are non-elastomeric in that they do not have a break elongation in excess of 100% independent of any crimp. Rather, they rely on spiral crimp for their elasticity, spontaneously developed by thermal treatment of the filaments. Side-by-side filaments subjected to the process of the invention can have a "snowman", oval, or substantially round cross-sectional shape. Eccentric sheath-core fibers can have an oval or substantially round cross-sectional shape. By "substantially round" it is meant that the ratio of the lengths of two axes crossing each other at 90° in the center of the fiber cross-section is no greater than about 1.2 : 1. By "oval" it is meant that the ratio of the lengths of two axes crossing each other at 90° in the center of the fiber cross-section is greater than about 1.2:1.

A "snowman" cross-sectional shape can be described as a side-by-side cross-section having a long axis, short axes substantially perpendicular to the long axis, and at least two maxima in the length of the short axes when plotted against the long axis.

[00032] Each of the components of the bicomponent fiber is present in an amount sufficient to obtain a differential shrinkage necessary to get a bulking effect and may be obtained by known methods. For example, the differential shrinkage may be obtained by utilizing different types of polymers, components having different properties, such as relative viscosity and crystallizable properties, or using different ratios of the components. For example, one component of the bicomponent yarn may be formed from a rapidly crystallizable fiber-forming polyamide, whereas the other component of the bicomponent yarn is formed from a less rapidly crystallizable fiber-forming polyamide. As taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,339, herein incorporated by reference, the difference in crystallizability may be achieved by selecting polyamides having different terminal velocity distances, which, in turn, give rise to a greater bulking as indicated by a high-load crimp test value.

[00033] On the other hand, the components of the bicomponent fiber may be selected based on differences in relative viscosity. When one component of the bicomponent fiber is composed of structural repeating units of the same chemical formula as the other component of the bicomponent yam, selection of the polymer having different relative viscosities results in the desired bulking effect. The difference in relative viscosity of the components of the bicomponent yam should be sufficient to obtain a differential shrinkage sufficient to attain a bulking effect. For example, when nylon 66 polyamides of different relative viscosities (RV) are used to form the polymeric segments, the difference in RV between the two nylon 66's should be at least 5, preferably at least 15, and most preferably at least 30 with the RV of the low RV nylon 66 being at least 20, for example, at least 50, or at least 65. Preferably, the components of the bicomponent yarns are composed of the same repeating structural unit, but have different RV's.

[00034] Alternatively, the differential shrinkage may be attained by varying the ratio of each of the components in the bicomponent yam or using different types of polymers for each component. Again, the amounts of each of the components in the yam should be an amount sufficient to obtain a differential shrinkage sufficient to attain a bulking effect.

[00035] The "bulking effect," as used herein, refers to the inherent ability of the bicomponent yam to crimp and may be effectuated by having a differential shrinkage between the components of the bicomponent yam. The bicomponent yarns' inherent ability to crimp advantageously allows the bicomponent yarns to be "self-bulking" because they do not require a mechanical draw twisting or texturing process in bulking these types of fibers.

Some fabrics made entirely from fibers of this type can have stretch and recovery properties and handle similar to those from mechanically textured fibers. When a 2G-T//3G-T bicomponent is used, there is often provided much higher stretch and recovery than textured fibers do.

[00036] Methods of making bicomponent fibers are known in the art and those used herein may be formed according to any known method. For example, U.S. Pat. No.

4,740,339, herein incorporated by reference, describes a process of making bicomponent yarns having different relative viscosities by a spin-stretch process to form a side-by-side configuration along the length of the filaments. Another known method is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,244,907 and 4,202,854, both herein incorporated by reference, wherein a process of making bicomponent yarns by extruding a single polymer to form a monocomponent molten stream may be treated by one-sided cooling before it is completely solidified or one- sided heating immediately after is it completely solidified and then subjecting the filament to stretching. The stretching of the bicomponent yarns may be conducted according to known means, such as by heating or steaming the yam and allowing the bicomponent yarn to then bulk. Moreover, the bicomponent yarns may be made in a continuous manner contiguously with the production of the synthetic polymer yarns of the present invention. Alternatively, the bicomponent yarns may be produced off-line and then combined with the second yarn. [00037] The yam of this disclosure further comprises a second polyamide or polyester fiber.

[00038] Preferred is that the second polyamide or polyester fiber be wrapped loosely around the core fiber.

[00039] Suitable homopolyamides used in this second fiber include, but are not limited to, polyhexamethylene adipamide homopolymer (nylon 66); polycaproamide homopolymer (nylon 6); polyenanthamide homopolymer (nylon 7); nylon 10; polydodecanolactam homopolymer (nylon 12); polytetramethyleneadipamide homopolymer (nylon 46); polyhexamethylene sebacamide homopolymer (nylon 610); the polyamide of n- dodecanedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine homopolymer (nylon 612); and the polyamide of dodecamethylenediamine and n-dodecanedioic acid homopolymer (nylon 1212). Copolymers and terpolymers of the monomers used to form the above-mentioned homopolymers are also suitable for the present invention.

[00040] Suitable copolyamides useful in this second fiber include, but are not limited to, copolymers of the monomers used to form the above-named homopolyamides. In addition, other suitable copolyamides include, for example, nylon 66 contacted and intimately mixed with nylon 6, nylon 7, nylon 10, and/or nylon 12. Illustrative polyamides also include copolymers made from dicarboxylic acid component, such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, adipic acid, or sebacic acid; an amide component, such as polyhexamethyleneterephthalamide, poly-2-methylpentamethyleneadipamide, poly-2- ethyltetramethyleneadipamide, or polyhexamethyleneisophthalamide; a diamine component, such as hexamethylenediamine and 2-methylpentamethylenediamine; and 1 ,4- bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane. Preferably, one component of the bicomponent yam is a copolyamide of nylon 66 copolymerized with poly-2-methylpentamethyleneadipamide (MPMD). This copolyamide may be made by polymerizing adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and MPMD together. Most preferably, one component of the bicomponent yarn is a copolyamide of nylon 66 copolymerized with poly-2- methylpentamethyleneadipamide, and the second component is nylon 66.

[00041] The above copolyamides may be made by methods known in the art. For example, a suitable copolyamide may be made by mixing fixed proportions of each polyamide component in the form of flake or polymer granulate and extruding as a homogeneous filament. Alternatively, the copolyamide may be made by mixing the appropriate monomers in an autoclave and carrying out the polyamidation process as is known in the art. Either process is suitable for making the copolyamides employed in this invention.

[00042] Terpolyamides of the monomers used to form the above-mentioned homopolymers may also be suitable for the present invention and may be made by processes known in the art.

[00043] Polyesters useful in the second fiber, include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate. Polypropylene terephthalate) is also known as poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) as poly(tetramethylene terephthalate). The polyesters may be homopolymers or copolymers of these polyesters. The polyesters can be made by processes known in the ait.

[00044] In one nonlimiting embodiment, the second fiber comprises nylon 6 or nylon

6,6.

[00045] In one nonlimiting embodiment, the yarn of this disclosure results from an air texturizing process using the LYCRA® T400® fiber at the core and the polyamide POY 6.6 at the effect.

[00046] As will be understood by the skilled artisan and as demonstrated herein, different yams compositions of a core fiber and polyamide or polyester fiber result in several final counts (Dtexes).

[00047] The polymers used in the core fiber or second fiber according to the invention can comprise, as further constituents, conventional additives that may contribute towards improving the polymer properties. Examples of these additives include antistatics, antioxidants, antimicrobials, flameproofing agents, lubricants, dyestuffs, light stabilizers, polymerization catalysts and auxiliaries, adhesion promoters, delustrants, such as titanium oxide, matting agents, and/or organic phosphites.

[00048] The combined core fiber and second polyamide or polyester fiber may be present in the final product in varying ratios depending on the intended use. The fraction of each of the components of the final product may be measured according to its total denier and denier per filament, for example. The greater the total denier or denier per filament, the greater the amount of the component in the final product. Modifying the components based upon these factors may achieve different functions of the final product. For example, a higher stretch may be obtained by having a greater fraction of the polyester or bicomponent fiber in the final product. Conversely, a fabric having less stretch may be obtained by having a greater fraction of the second polyamide or polyester fiber, particularly where the second fiber is a single component yarn.

[00049] In this disclosure, the core fiber is combined with the second polyamide or polyester yam to form a single yam via air jet texturizing. Each of the polyester or bicomponent core fiber and second polyamide or polyester fiber may be made separately off- line and then combined via air jet texturing to form the final synthetic polymer via double yam feeding with the polyester or bicomponent fiber in the core and the second polyamide or polyester fiber at the outside simultaneously.

[00050] Production of this core fiber and a second polyamide or polyester fiber, preferably wrapped loosely around the outside of the core fiber, via air jet texturizing has been found to result in a synthetic yam with a visual like cotton yarn, high crimp contraction, high resilience, and high potential elongation on yam from about 20 to about 33%. Further, fabric comprising this air texturized yam unexpectedly exhibits a cool and dry effect as well as a superior hand touch. Using the air texturized yam of this disclosure it has been found that it is possible to make fabrics with higher stretch and recovery than the original SUPPLEX® fabric made with 100% polyamide texturized yarn. In addition, garments produced from fabrics comprising the air texturized yam maintain their shape for a longer time.

[00051] By “cool effect” of the fabric, it is meant a cool to the touch sensation of the fabric which enhances comfort in garments prepared from such fabric.

[00052] By “dry effect” of the fabric, it is meant a moisture wicking or moisture management ability which enhances comfort in garments prepared from such fabric.

[00053] The "hand" or “hand touch” of the fabric refers to the feel or tactile aesthetics of the fabric. Fabrics made from the air texturized yams of the present invention a soft cotton- like hand. In particular, the hand of knit fabrics, when made with the yam of the invention, was unexpectedly soft. For example, circular knits made with the yam of the present invention have an excellent soft hand as well as very good stretch and recovery, which is in marked contrast to the often 'boardy' hand observed when knits were made entirely of bicomponent fibers.

[00054] Further, the air texturizing process of a core fiber and a polyamide or polyester fiber described herein allows for production of a mix of greige (gray mixed with beige) and black components and 100% black versions through ecologically sound and sustainable processes. [00055] The air texturized yarns of this disclosure can be woven into fabrics alone or used as a weft or warp yarn with one or more companion yams well known to those skilled in the art for use in a variety of fabrics. Such fabrics can be made into various articles of manufacture including, but in no way limited to, garments such as tops, bottoms including denim jeans, hosiery, seamless garments, headwear, underwear, gloves and uniforms.

[00056] The following examples demonstrate the present disclosure and its capability for use in producing fabrics and garments. The invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various apparent respects, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the examples are to be regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Exemplary Range of Test Yarns

[00057] Test samples 1 through 6 of an air texturized yam comprising a bicomponent 2G-T//3G-T fiber at the core and the polyamide POY 6.6 were prepared and evaluated as shown in Table 1.

Table 1

[00058] In comparison, see Table 2 showing a comparative analysis of a 100% polyamide yarn with significantly lower elongation. Table 2

Example 2: Test Samples of Fabrics

[00059] Test 1 : Denim fabric for Jeans (bottom)

[00060] Fabric structure:

Denim -Twill

3x1 Warp: Cotton 16/1 Ne - 6300 ends

[00061] Weft: Air Texturized Yam 465/204 Dtex (23% PA66 + 77% 2G-T//3G-T - 17 picks/cm

[00062] Fabric width at loom: 208 cm Fabric width after BO: 151 cm Commercial fabric width: 150 cm

[00063] Fabric Elongation after washing: 24%

[00064] Results from analysis of this fabric are shown in Table 3.

Table 3

[00065] Test 2: Denim fabric for top (light)

[00066] Fabric structure: Denim -Twill 2x1 Warp: Cotton 20/1 Ne - 5664 ends [00067] Weft: Air Texturized Yam 285/136 Dtex (37% PA66 + 63 2G-T//3G-T) - 18 picks/cm Fabric width at loom: 170 cm [00068] Fabric width after BO: 140 cm

[00069] Commercial fabric width: 136 cm Fabric Elongation after washing: 24% [00070] Results from analysis of this fabric are shown in Table 4. Table 4

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A yam comprising a polyester or bicomponent core fiber and a second polyamide or polyester fiber produced by air jet texturizing.

2. The yarn of claim 1 wherein the bicomponent core fiber comprises a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polyester, or a viscose polymer.

3. The yarn of claim 1 wherein the bicomponent core fiber comprises poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate).

4. The yarn of claim 1 wherein the bicomponent core fiber is a bicomponent filament.

5. The yarn of claim 1 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber is wrapped loosely around that bicomponent core fiber.

6. The yam of claim 1 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber is a polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyhexamethylene adipamide homopolymer (nylon 66); polycaproamide homopolymer (nylon 6); polyenanthamide homopolymer (nylon 7); nylon 10; polydodecanolactam homopolymer (nylon 12); polytetramethyleneadipamide homopolymer (nylon 46); polyhexamethylene sebacamide homopolymer (nylon 610); the polyamide of n-dodecanedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine homopolymer (nylon 612); and the polyamide of dodecamethylenediamine and n-dodecanedioic acid homopolymer (nylon 1212).

7. The yarn of claim 1 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber is a polyester selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate.

8. The yarn of claim 1 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber comprises nylon 6 or nylon 6,6.

9. The yam of any of claims 1-8 which when incorporated into fabric and garments provides a cool and dry effect and soft hand feel while also providing high stretch and recovery and maintenance of shape for a longer time as compared to yam of 100% polyamide.

10. A fabric comprising the yarn of any of claims 1-9.

11. A garment comprising the fabric of claim 10.

12. A method for producing yam for use in fabric and garments with a cool and dry effect, soft hand feel, high stretch and recovery and/or maintenance of shape for a longer time as compared to a fabric of yam of 100% polyamide, said method comprising air texturizing together a polyester or bicomponent core fiber and a second polyamide or polyester fiber.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the bicomponent core fiber comprises a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polyester, or a viscose polymer.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the bicomponent core fiber comprises poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate).

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the bicomponent core fiber is a bicomponent filament.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber is wrapped loosely around that bicomponent core fiber.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber is a polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyhexamethylene adipamide homopolymer (nylon 66); polycaproamide homopolymer (nylon 6); polyenanthamide homopolymer (nylon 7); nylon 10; polydodecanolactam homopolymer (nylon 12); polytetramethyleneadipamide homopolymer (nylon 46); polyhexamethylene sebacamide homopolymer (nylon 610); the polyamide of n-dodecanedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine homopolymer (nylon 612); and the polyamide of dodecamethylenediamine and n-dodecanedioic acid homopolymer (nylon 1212).

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber is a polyester selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the second polyamide or polyester fiber comprises nylon 6 or nylon 6,6.