GB1033276A - A process for the production of stabilised and smoothed woven fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

A woven fabric, consisting at least in part of thermoplastic filaments or threads, is heated immediately after it has been woven and before it is wound on to the cloth beam, the warp threads or filaments being held under tension. In one embodiment, Fig. 1 (not shown), the heat treatment comprises steam, hot gases or liquids from nozzles 3 passing through the whole width of the fabric and received by an outlet hood 4. In a second embodiment, Fig. 2 (not shown), heat is emitted by radiators 5 and roller 6, which may also be heated, are provided for smoothing purposes. In a further embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown), the fabric passes over a curved support 7 containing heater elements 8 and radiators 9 heat the fabric from above. A roller 10 to smooth the fabric surface and flatten the filaments at the points of intersection is also provided. The fabric may be heated to temperatures from 80-108 DEG C., preferably 120-140 DEG C. and the duration of the heating may be from 3-10 minutes. Specified thermoplastic materials are polyamides and polyesters. The fabric may contain warp and/or weft threads of different plastics and/or sometimes of metals, e.g. a fabric for use on a Fourdrinier paper-making machine may comprise threads or filaments of thermoplastics in the weft and metal wires in the warp.