ES2575742B1 - Photoluminescent wire and obtaining procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Photoluminescent thread and method of obtaining the following components: # - A polymeric plastic material, chosen from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyester, polyamide or nylon. # - A photoluminescent pigment with a maximum particle size of 15 microns, and in proportion 2 to 10%. # - A lubricant in order to reduce the effects of shear during the manufacturing process, which will advantageously consist of a CAS fluoropolymer No. 10 25190-89-0. # Optionally, other known elements can be added , such as thermal antioxidants, ultraviolet filters, dyes, stabilizers for the purpose of peroxides, etc. # These components are advantageously mixed in a device such as a screw extruder, double counter-rotating spindle, or double corrotative spindle. Once the compounds are mixed, the mixture is granulated and fed into an extruder with a monofilament spinning head where the textile fibers are obtained.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Photoluminescent wire and method of obtaining OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a photoluminescent wire and its manufacturing process. It is a thread that has photoluminescent properties, that is, after being exposed to natural or artificial light, it will emit light by itself for a certain time in dark conditions.

Its utilization is indicated in the textile sector, providing the products that incorporate it in its confection of decorative, safety, and signaling properties. With the photoluminescent thread of the invention, garments, brand embroideries, high visibility vests, work clothes, carpets, interior coatings of vehicles, etc. can be made.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods of manufacturing photoluminescent yarn for making are known which incorporate the photoluminescent pigment into a plastic polymer coating balls of this which are subsequently extruded, or impregnating the polymer fiber after extrusion. In the first case the pigment is distributed unevenly and in the second the photoluminescent effect is compromised over time.

It is also common for the appearance of serious processability problems during multifilament spinning when a large particle size is used, which leads to irregular thicknesses and repeated cuts of the thread, poor mechanical properties, and even blockage of the extruder filters, which can prevent processing.

In addition, photoluminescent pigments based on strontium aluminates are especially sensitive to the shear effect during the extrusion process, which leads to degradation and darkening of the pigment, with loss of its photoluminescent properties.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to have a photoluminescent pigment whose properties do not degrade over time or during its manufacturing process.

It is another objective of the present invention to have a method of manufacturing photoluminescent wire in which no jamming occurs in the extruder.

And finally it is another objective of the present invention to have a process for manufacturing photoluminescent wire without shear effect.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is established and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features thereof.

To achieve the proposed objectives, a photoluminescent thread has been designed, comprising a plastic material that incorporates a pigment capable of being shaped by

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the extrusion processing technique, in general, and extrusion mutifilament in a specific way.

The invention solves those inconveniences that were generated when processing photoluminescent pigments embedded in plastic materials by the technique of multifilament extrusion, such as embossing of filters by particles of large size or degradation of the pigment and loss of their properties. And it does so by controlling the particle size particle size, the fluidity of the plastic material, the use of lubricants during the extrusion process, and the incorporation of mixing operations therein.

In particular, the photoluminescent wire of the invention comprises the following elements:

• A polymeric plastic material, chosen from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyester, polyamide or nylon. Said material must advantageously be as viscous as possible but with a melt capacity to be extruded.

• A photoluminescent pigment, with a maximum particle size of 15 microns, and in a proportion of 2 to 10%.

• A lubricant in order to reduce the effects of shear during the manufacturing process, which will advantageously consist of a CAS fuel no. 25190-89-0.

Optionally, other known elements can be added, such as:

• Thermal antioxidants: Known elements that are used to prevent the degradation of polymeric plastic material during processing.

• Ultraviolet filters: Known elements that are added to the mixture to improve the life of the fiber when exposed to the weather. They should not contain phenolic compounds to avoid the effect of "fading gas" on the fibers.

• Dyes.

• Stabilizers for the effect of peroxides.

Said components are advantageously mixed in a device such as a screw extruder, double counter-rotating spindle, or double corrotative spindle. Other mixing equipment for polymeric materials are also possible, such as planetary extruders, "buss-kneader", etc. Once the compounds are mixed, the mixture is granulated and fed into an extruder with a monofilament spinning head where the textile fibers are obtained. These fibers can be reprocessed to obtain different degrees of fiber.

DETAILED EXHIBITION OF THE INVENTION

In a specific realization it is used:

• A homopolymer polypropylene of fluidity index 40g / 10min (230 ° C and 2.16Kg) in a proportion of 88.80%.

• A photoluminescent pigment with a maximum particle size of 10 microns, in proportion to 10%.

• A fluoropolymer compound (CAS No. 25190-89-0) as a lubricant, in proportion to 1%.

• Fostito type antioxidants and radical scavengers, in a proportion of 0.1%.

• Ultraviolet filters of the HALS type combined with hydroxylamines, in a proportion of 0.1%.

These materials are mixed in an interlocking twin screw spindle extruder, with a flat temperature profile of 220 ° C. The materials are fed in the following order: Polypropylene is introduced through the main feed of the extruder together with a "masterbatch" containing lubricants, antioxidants and ultraviolet filters. In a side feed the pigment is added in powder form or as a concentrate or "masterbatch", incorporated on the melt. The material is obtained at the exit of the

extruder in the form of threads of about 3 mm in diameter, which are cooled and granulated in a pelletizer.

Through a dispenser the previously described mixture is fed to a single spindle extruder 5 with a spinning head coupled. The extruder temperature is 260 ° C throughout its length, including the spinning nozzle, to melt the mixture as quickly as possible and decrease its viscosity. The feed must be constant and sufficient so that the pressure in the nozzle of the machine is between values that allow to maintain a constant flow without saturating the nozzle. On the other hand, the spindle speed must be kept as low as possible in order to reduce the shear effect to the maximum, while maintaining an acceptable pressure on the nozzle. The molten mixture is obtained in the form of 48 filaments that are collected together with a vacuum gun to pass them to the winding area where coils of a certain weight are wound.

Claims (5)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 ES 2 575 742 A1 1.-Photoluminescent wire characterized by comprising: -A polymeric plastic material chosen from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyester, polyamide or nylon. - A photoluminescent pigment with a maximum particle size of 15 microns, and in proportion of 2 to 10%. - A lubricant. 2.-Photoluminescent wire according to claim 1 characterized in that the polymeric plastic material is homopolymer polypropylene. 3. - Photoluminescent wire according to claim 1 characterized in that the lubricant is CAS fluoropollomer No. 25190-89-0 in proportion of 1%. 4. Photoluminescent wire according to claim 1 characterized by comprising known antioxidants and non-phenolic ultraviolet filters, in a proportion of 0.20%. 5. Procedure for obtaining photoluminescent wire according to the preceding claims, characterized by comprising the following steps: a) Mixing in extruder of the different elements, incorporating the polymeric plastic material and a "masterbatch" containing the lubricants, antioxidants, ultraviolet filters, and other additives by a main feed, and by a lateral feeding the photoluminescent pigment on the melt . b) Cooling and granulation in granceadora. c) Extruder in single-screw extruder with spinning head attached. d) Stretched and textured.