GB2062537A - A multi-component composite filament - Google Patents

Abstract

A composite filament having an 'islands-in-sea' type cross-sectional configuration having at least two kinds of islands, wherein the two islands are different in coefficient of contraction by at least 5%, or wherein one of the island components comprises a bimetal-type or eccentric- type composite filament. These island components A, B are relatively well distributed throughout the sea component C and the sum of the weight of the island components is greater than the weight of the sea component. Said composite filament may be made into a fabric as a filament of an ordinary denier. It is also possible to obtain a superfine fibre product being bulky or having an improved feel by superfining and heat- treating said filament thereafter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A multi-component composite filament The present invention relates to a multicomponent composite filament. Binary composite filaments are well known. The most representative kind of these filaments is made by removing one component from two components or separating one component from the other to form a bundle of superfine filaments.

However, the thus obtained bundle of superfine filaments and fabrics made from such filaments frequently have the following drawbacks: (1) Because they are superfine filaments, they are extremely low in rigidity and lacking in bulkiness. This result occurs in both of the aforementioned methods of manufacture.

(2) Napped fabrics, for example, velvet-like knitted or woven fabrics, raised fabrics, buffed fabrics of non-woven velveteen, corduroy, seal, fur and electrodeposited fabrics have been commonly lacking in natural tone and high quality feeling. In other words, they have been excessively uniform and monotonous.

(3) Fabric having a crisp feel, with crepe, tenseness, and stretch recovery and with little tendency for individual threads to be loosened, and further having variety in colour tone and being silk-like, has been difficult to produce.

On the other hand, we have developed a threecomponent composite filament, wherein when one component is removed, a composite filament consisting of the other two components is obtained, and we have produced a fabric having a peculiar feel which is made therefrom. However, in the case of a bundle of superfine filaments which is 100% composite filament, characteristics are frequently less than might be expected based on the crimp capacity of the filaments.

As a result of conducting various examinations, we have found a novel composite filament drastically improved with respect two these drawbacks. In addition, this novel composite filament has various other novel characteristics which have not been seen in prior composite filaments.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-component composite filament having an "islands-in-sea" type cross-sectional configuration in which at least two kinds of island components are dispersed independently without maldistribution of one component to one side in a sea component (i.e., the different island components are not unevenly distributed such that one component predominates on one side of the filament), wherein the difference in coefficient of free contraction between the two kinds of island components is at least 3% (preferably at least 5%) and the sum of the weights of these island components is larger than the weight of the sea component.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-component composite filament having an "islands-in-sea" type cross-sectional configuration in which at least two kinds of island components are dispersed independently without maldistribution of one component to one side in a sea component, wherein one of the island single components consists of an island of the usual type and the other island component comprises a binary bimetal-type or eccentric-type composite superfine filament and the sum of the weights of these island components is larger than the weight,.

of the sea component.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a bundle of superfine filaments obtained from a conventional composite filament.

Figure 2 is an explanatory view showing the principle by which superfine filaments become bulky.

Figure 3-36 are cross-sectional views of composite filaments according to the present invention.

Figure 37 is a schematic view showing overlap of crimps (at the time of free crimping) of a bundle of conventional superfine filaments.

Figure 38 is a schematic view showing a bundle of superfine filaments (at the time of free crimping) according to the present invention.

The composite filament according to the present invention is convertible to a superfine multifilament, wherein crimped or slack superfine filaments and straight superfine filaments coexist without maldistribution, by dividing and contracting treatments. The superfine filaments of the present invention may be roughly divided into three types.

A first type has at least two kinds of island components A and B, the island components being independently dispersed in another interposing component (sea component) C, wherein A and B each has a cross-sectional area, examples of which are shown in Figure 3-10.

Components A and B in Figure 3 can be said to be dispersed in a regularly interposed pattern in component C. When deniers of these island components are within the range of 2-0.6 d, this filament is very useful as material for silk-like and wool-like fabrics. This filament is also effective as material for plush, velveteen and corduroy.

Figure 4 is an example of cases wherein the two components A and B are in a random mixed state. The components A and B are mutually, but randomly interposed.

In Figure 5, components A and B are disposed similar to those components in Figure 3, however, a composite filament of this type may be called a peeling type or surface exposing type, viz. when the components A and B are separated and made independent, component C remains as a separate fibre component.

Figure 6 shows an example wherein either one of the components A or B is surrounded by the other. As shown component A is surrounded by component B. In this case, too, one component is interposed with respect to the other.

Figure 7 shows another example.

Figure 8 is a peeling type. In this case, after peeling components A and B from component C, it is possible to further halve the components A and B.

Figure 9 is a hollow type wherein four components A and four components B are produced and it is possible to peel interposition component C or remove the component C.

Figure 10 is an example wherein components A and B are differently disposed. In this example, there is also a denier mix and mixing of heterogeneous cross sections. When a wool-like composite filament is made, a filament of the type shown in Figure 10 is especially preferable. In this case, a multi-lobal cross section (at least trilobal) is especially preferable.

In the cases of Figure 3-10, it is necessary that there is a difference in coefficient of contraction between the two components A and B. That difference should be at least 3%, but preferably is at least 5%. This is especially true in the case of filaments in which the component C is peeled and so remains as a component in the composite fibrent. The difference in coefficient of contraction referred to herein is directed to a difference in a so-called coefficient of free contraction without hindering. Ordinarily, the coefficient of contraction of filaments in a knitted or woven fabric is often lower than the coefficient of free contraction due to restrictions in the fabric.

In that case, however, even though the difference of the coefficient is small, it still greatly affects bulkiness. Accordingly, the respective coefficients of contraction are measured after separating or peeling the components A and B from the component C by a solvent or decomposition agent least affecting the components A and B.

Contraction may be measured by any one of the following contraction test methods, boiling water contraction, solvent contraction or hightemperature heating contraction. Namely, the difference in coefficient of contraction should be at least 3% by any one of these contraction test methods. Typically, a boiling water contraction method and a high temperature dry contraction method are used. In this specification, contraction values referred to are often based on these test methods.

Thus, a filament whose coefficient of contraction is small slackens relative to a filament whose coefficient of contraction is large, thus making a bulky and puffy bundle of superfine filaments.

This puffiness may be brought about with the filament in the state of a yarn, but when it is brought about with the filament in the state of fabric, it is more effective.

The relation between disposition of components A and B in the cross-sectional area of a composite filament and the difference in coefficient of contraction is important.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a bundle of superfine filaments, illustrative of that used in the present invention, as well as a conventional bundle of superfine filaments. Selected filaments of such a bundle, enlarged, are also shown in Figure 2(a). However, when this bundle is subjected to a contraction treatment, in accordance with the present invention, it appears as shown in Figure 2(b) wherein the component which is the most is shown as a straight line whilst the component which is contracted the least is shown as crimped and the bundle becomes a bundle of puffy filaments. Accordingly, when components A and B are maldistributed in component C and components A and B are not mixed at least somewhat symmetrically in admixture, uniformalization of puff is small and this is undesirable. Namely, it is preferable that these components A and B are well mixed and mutually interposed.In this sense, it is important that the multi-component composite filament of the present invention is convertible to a bundle of puffy superfine filaments.

A second type of filament in accordance with the present invention is, as shown in Figures 11-26, that in which components A and B are separated from component C. In this type of filament, the mixture of composite filaments may consist of components A and B having a bimetaltype or eccentric-type cross-sectional configuration, which are removed to leave component filament, consisting of component C, as a result. Also, the resultant filament may consist of single component filament of the component A and/or B in admixture with the remaining components of the original filament bundle. For instance, in the case of Figure 11, a mixture of a bimetal-type composite superfine filament consisting of components A and B and a cross-type superfine filament of component C in admixture therewith is shown.In the case of, for example, Figure 13, a bundle of superfine filaments consisting of a bimetal-type composite superfine filament consisting of components A and B and a cross-type superfine filament of component C as well as superfine filaments consisting of the component A alone and the component B alone is shown. When considered similarly, it may be easily inferred as what sort of bundle of superfine filaments is shown in each of the other figures. Namely, throughout all the cases of Figures 11-26, mixtures each consisting of a bimetal-type or eccentric-type composite filament and superfine filaments consisting of a single component are shown.

A third type of the present invention is that in which after component C is dissolved and removed, there remains a bundle of superfine filaments consisting of a bimetal-type or eccentric-type composite filament consisting of components A and B and superfine filaments of a single component consisting of the components A or B. This is shown, for example, in Figures 13, 16, 18, 20, 21 and 27-36. Especially, Figures 27-36 show examples of filaments in each of which components A and B are surrounded by component C.

In each of these second and third types of filaments of the present invention, components A and B that are adherent to each other, yet different in coefficient of contraction are selected as island components. Only when these conditions are met, are the very excellent effects, as will be mentioned later, obtained. In case all of the island components are composite filaments, when the sea component is removed, even when crimp is imparted to groups of such superfine filaments by the aid of roughly the same coefficient of contraction, heat and solvents only crimp, as shown in Figure 37, will be produced. In such crimp, loops of crimp often overlap and the feel is different and it is difficult to produce enough bulkiness in many cases.

By contrast, in the present invention, with the differential coefficient of contraction, as shown in Figure 38, a superfine crimped filament component overlaps with another superfine straight filament component, which is exactly the same result illustrated in Figure 2(b). (Even if each crimp does not make a complete loop, this is true, though the effect of the crimp in that case may be less.) In accordance with the present invention, compared with filaments wherein all components reveal crimp, a very peculiar filament is produced with a voluminous feel, which is unexpected. This may be used to bloom naps of raised fabrics.

Accordingly, compared with crimp produced in a bundle of superfine crimp filaments as shown in Figure 37, that has heretofore been considered most excellent, a bundle of superfine crimped filaments of a further superior structure may be obtained according to the present invention. In addition, such filaments may have no crimp at the stage of being processed into a woven fabric, knitted fabric or non-woven fabric, being in a less bulky state and easy to be processed. After a sheet-like fabric is formed, said filaments may be rendered superfine by mechanical or chemical actions and said filaments may be treated to produce crimp by a further heat-treatment or chemical treatment, at the same time, a noncrimped component of course, remaining in the admixture.Accordingly, in the present invention, it should be noted that it is not that a mixture consisting of a superfine crimpable component and a superfine non-crimpable component or a superfine contractible component and a superfine non-contractible component is made first and then such mixture is processed into filaments. Rather, superfine filaments having such potential are highly processed in a fasciated state, namely, in an easily processable state per se like filaments of an ordinary denier. Thereafter respective components are separated and made independent from such fasciated component, to produce particular effects.

As mentioned above, composite filaments used in the present invention are roughly divided into three types, the characteristics of each of these three types will be mentioned below.

In the first type, namely, in the case of each of the composite filaments shown in Figures 3-10, the contraction force is relatively strong and even in a restrained state, for example. As formed into a fabric, it may become comparatively bulky.

In other words, with regard to the difference in coefficient of contraction of component fibres, the loss of crimpability due to making the composite filament superfine is small. In addition, compared with filaments having an ordinary denier, such superfine multifilaments, wherein, according to the present invention, filaments are mixed without being maldistributed, is good in affinity between the component filaments and the composite multifilaments shows a good tendency to become puffy.

In the second type, namely, in composite filaments such as those shown in Figures 11 to 26; a mechanical peeling method is applied for making filaments superfine. In this case, because the chemical aid of a solvent is not necessary, there is no lowering of contractibility due to a solvent; therefore, when a method of thermal contraction is adopted between two components A and B, crimp is very likely to be brought about.

However, in this type of filament, peeling has to be carried out mechanically, and even when component C is unnecessary, for example, from the point of view of dyeing fastness, it may nevertheless be present. However, such filaments may peel at a stage where peeling is not wanted and this may be a drawback in that such a filament may be comparatively poor in processability. On the other hand, there is, of course, no loss of components. These points become merits or demerits depending upon the subject.

In the third type of filament in accordance with the present invention, removal of one component is normally carried out by dissolution. In such removal by dissolution, owing to a chemical solvent, it often occurs that the crimpability due to difference in contraction of two components A and B is inferior. It is because the contraction power of one component is reduced by crystallization phenomenon caused by the solvent of component C which is called solvent crystallization. When heating is effected at the time of dissolution, the loss of crimpability is even more likely. There are also other necessary drawbacks in the operation for removing one component by dissolution, including the loss of the component is solution.However, as a reverse merit, occurrence of spaces due to removal of the one dissolved component gives room among the superfine filaments, which contributes to a considerably larger degree of feel-improving effect, which cannot be overlooked. In other words, this type of filament also has merits and demerits.

Composite filaments of the third type having an "islands-in-sea" type cross-sectional configuration, as shown in Figures 27-36, are especially important because in an "islands-insea', type filament, filaments are well fasciated.

Such a filament is good processability because of the high degree of filament concentration in the filament's non-bulked state. This cannot be overlooked. It is another characteristic that a treatment for bringing about spaces among filaments by removal of component C brings about an effect similar to that of removing sericin from silk, consisting of sericin and fibroin by degumming. It is still another characteristic in filaments of the third type that it is possible to select components of the same kind such as, for example, polyesters of different contractibility and to make it possible to mix different kinds of components, such-as polyamide and polyethylene.

In the foregoing, merits and demerits of the respective types are mentioned so that different forms of the invention may be properly used in accordance with the user's objects. What may be said about them in common is that, as shown in Figure 38, a bundle is so made that a component (or a plurality of such components) treatable to form a superfine crimp is interposed among other components which under the same treatment do not form a superfine crimp. Therefore, effects in bulkiness, mutual dispersion among filaments and improvement in feel are brought about, depending on the selection of filament type and composition.

These composite filaments may be used for production of various kinds of fibre products such as woven fabric, knitted fabric and non-woven fabric. Examples of woven fabric include crepe, such as Crepe de Chine, palace crepe, satin crepe, morocain crepe, striped crepe, oriental crepe, flat crepe, georgette crepe and silk crepe, or various kinds of crepe weaves, such as amundsen gersey.

Other examples include habutae (glossy) silk, satins, silk gauzes, voiles, porous fabrics, twille weave, serges, taffetas, cord weaves, velvets, towel weaves, flannels, shirting and various other designs of weave. Above all, these filaments are preferably used for producing raised fabrics such as velvet, velveteen and corduroy and further fabrics of a type raised by a raising machine.

As to knitted fabrics, besides various conventional knitted fabrics, other knits, such as platen or tricot fabrics or two-ply fabrics of which especially those which are raised or napped may be cited, may also be made from filaments of the present invention.

Among non-woven fabrics, one should include needle punched non-woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics made by the paper making type of methods, and also spun bond non-woven fabrics.

From such woven, knitted or non-woven fabrics it is possible to make raised fabrics having good nap dispersibility by subjecting them to napping and/or buffing. It is also possible to make a raised fabric such as velveteen or velvet by cutting to make them into piled fabrics. In each of these instances, the surprisingly advantageous effects of the present invention are effectively revealed.

It is especially preferable that the deniers of filaments after being made superfine should be about 0.05-0.6 in the case of raised fabrics and about 0.6-2.0 in the case of non raised fabrics. It is preferable that the denier of the composite filament before being made superfine should be within the range of about 15-1 denier. In the case of mixed denier, it is preferable that the difference of deviation of the various deniers of the filaments after being made superfine should not exceed about 1.0 denier. As regards treating the filaments for the purpose of imparting crimp thereto, heating is especially preferable.

The most preferable combination of the component A and B is a combination of polyesters, particularly a combination of polyethylene terephthalate with the product obtained by copolymerizing isophthalic acid or sodium sulfonate isophthalate with the same, with the products obtained by copolymerizing a small amount of a trifunctional component with the same, or with polybuthylene terephthalate or other known polyesters with the same.

The amounts, component and draw conditions are so determined to bring about a difference in coefficient of contraction. Also various polyamides, namely, nylon 6, nylon 66, PACM IPA- and TPA-copolymerized nylon 66 and various other copolymers are preferable as the components A and B. It is a matter of course that combination of polymers of the different series will do.

As the component C, there may be cited a polymer of the polystyrene series, a polymer of the polyvinyl series, copolyester, a polymer of the polyamide series and a polymer of the polyolefin series. The component C may be properly used according to a method of dissolving and removing the same and a method of peeling the same.

It goes without saying that as the components A, B and C, all the known fibre-forming polymers are applicable as well as those mentioned above.

When the remaining component is polyester, it is especially preferable for producing a silky feel to treat polyester with an alkali solution. An original yarn may be also textured-processed, such as by false weave processing and made a yarn having strong twist. For example, a combination with strong twist SZ is possible.

It is a matter of course that when the two components A and B are different in dyeability, it is possible to dye them differently in and it is possible to subject them to resin processing and process them by adding a feel improving agent such as polyurethane and silicone. When, for example, such filaments are needle punched, processed with polyurethane before the component C is removed and thereafter buffed, it is possible to make a fabric consisting of said filaments into suede-like artificial leather and produce a product excellent in feel by so doing.

EXAMPLE 1 A three-component "islands-in-sea" type composite filament having a cross sectional area as shown in Figure 4 was produced by using polyethylene terephthalate as one island component and a copolyethylene terephthalate containing 9.9 mol % of an isophthalic acid component as the other island component.

Specifically, by using a spinneret (for 42 filaments) for a composite filament which consisted of a number of cores embedded in the matrix, said cores being extremely fine and parallel to each other along the fibre axis as shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 26723/1972, the aforementioned composite filament was first spun in the usual way at 28O0C, then wound, and finally drawn with heating to obtain a 3.8 denier yarn. The number of island components so obtained was equal to sixteen, eight of which consisted of polyethylene terephthalate and eight of which consisted of copolyethylene terephthalate; all such island components accounted for 60% of the yarn.

This filamentary yarn was washed well with carbon tetrachloride and dried to obtain a bundle of superfine filaments. At this point the bundle thus obtained was free from swelling; however, when the bundle was immersed in boiling water, filaments consisting of said copolyester having copolymerized isophthalic acid contracted greatly.

As a result, a remarkable swelling was seen in the bundle of superfine filaments. The difference in coefficient of contraction between the highly contractible component and the slightly contractible component was not less than 5%. It is notable that the component having the higher coefficient of contraction appeared to have been drawn to the inside of the fibre.

EXAMPLE 2 A drawn composite filament having a cross sectional area as shown in Figure 3 was produced, wherein the two kinds of the island components were the same as in Example 1, but the sea component thereof was polystyrene which had 22% by weight of copolymerized 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, the island/sea ratio being 85/15.

Using a yarn consisting of such filament both as warp and weft, the following plain fabric was woven. Specifically, in weaving the plain fabric for the warp, a total 50 denier of about 5.6 d/9 fil yarn was used, at a plain fabric density of 110 warps/in; for the weft, a total 73 denier of about 5.6 d/1 3 fil yarn was used at a plain fabric density of 83 wefts/in. Two such woven fabrics were prepared; one fabric was washed with carbon tetrachloride while the other fabric was washed with trichloroethylene. Each was dried and then immersed in boiling water. Both such treatments cause fabric swelling, but the swelling of the fabric washed with the carbon tetrachloride was superior to the swelling of the fabric washed with trichloroethylene.Said fabric was subsequently washed in a hot 2.5 g/liter aqueous bath of sodium hydroxide, the surface thereof finally treated with an alkali, washed with water, dried and finally passed through air at 1 800C for a short period of time. The product thus obtained was a pliant woven fabric having a silk-like luster and feel.

EXAMPLE 3 A composite filament was produced which consisted of many cores embedded within the matrix, said cores being extremely fine parallel to each other along the fiber axis. The composite filament further had an "islands-in-sea" type cross sectional configuration with thirty six islands, of which half were polyethylene terephthalate and half were copolyethylene terephthalate containing 9.9 mol % of an isophthalic acid component as in Example 1; the sea component was polystyrene, and island/sea ratio was 95/5. The thus obtained drawn yarn consisting of total denier 100 d/25 filaments was used as the pile yarn when weaving velvet-like fabrics.As both warp and weft of the base texture, a 50 D-36 f bulky processed yarn having a T-shaped cross sectional configuration (process for producing the same being disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 18535/1976 and 47550/1972) was used and the length of the raising was made to equal 1.0 mm. Two such fabrics were prepared, each of which was washed with a sufficient amount of an alkali; then with a sufficient amount of water. Thereafter, one fabric was washed with carbon tetrachloride and the other fabric was washed with trichloroethylene. It is necessary to sufficiently wash the fabric with water after the alkali treatment, but, prior to the trichloroethylene washing in order to prevent the production of explosive dichloroacetylene.

Next, when the two fabrics were exposed in hot air at 1 8O0C and thereafter dyed in blue, very elegant raised fabrics (which might be well called velvets having suede effects) having different pile (raising) lengths were obtained.

EXAMPLE 4 A three-component composite filament having an "islands-in-sea" type cross sectional configuration as shown in Figure 27 (number of islands: 4) was made. Namely, as component A, polyethylene terephthalate was used, and as component B, copolyethylene terephthalate having copolymerized 10 mol % of isophthalic acid was used. The ratio of A/B was made 75/25. As component C, polystyrene was used. The ratio of component C to the entirety was made 20%. The composite filament having a cross sectional configuration was spun by a three-component filament spinning machine and drawn to 3.3 times. The obtained yarn was about 4 denier/12 fil. A skein consisting of a plurality of such yarns was made and thereafter, the component C consisting of polystyrene was dissolved with carbon tetrachloride and removed.

Thereafter, when crimp was imparted by the treatment of boiling water, the skein became very bulky. When this skein was grabbed by hand, the bulkiness was high and a remarkable difference was recognized compared with the following comparative example.

Comparative Example 1 A composite filament having an "island-in-sea' type cross sectional configuration similar to that of Figure 27 was produced, wherein the entire island components were polyethylene terephthalate only and the component C (sea component) was polystyrene. The denier and island/sea ratio were so adjusted as to become the same as in Example 1. Similarly, component C was dissolved with carbon tetrachloride and removed and thereafter what was obtained was treated in boiling water and dried.

On the other hand, using a composite filament whose cross sectional configuration was similar to that of Figure 27, with the exception that all the island components had an A/B bimetal type composite structure, a skein was made by the same manner as in Example 4.

When the so obtained two samples were compared (after drying) with the product of the present invention obtained in Example 1, the product of the present invention was superior in bulkiness. Bulkiness was measured by strongly grabbing the skein many times by hand, and the state of each skein was checked after the hand had been removed. The skein of composite filaments wherein all the "island" components thereof were the same was lowest in bulkiness, followed by the skein of composite filaments wherein all components comprised a bimetal-type structure. The product of the present invention was the best in bulkiness properties. This skein (present invention) comprised an aggregate of bundles of superfine filaments having a different hand when compared to the other two skeins.

EXAMPLE 5 Using the same filament yarn as in Example 4, a plain fabric was woven. Its density was 11 5 v.rarps/in and 83 wefts/in. This fabric was dissolved with carbon tetrachloride, thereafter, its surface was washed with hot alkali diluted with water, to slightly dissolve the surface. Then, it was washed with water and dried. Crimp was imparted to an extent sufficient to separate one filament from another inside the organization. A silk-like feel was evident on the fabric surface and said plain fabric exhibited very excellent, silk-like qualities.

EXAMPLE 6 Example 5 was repeated except polybutylene terephthalate was used instead of a copolyethylene terephthalate having copolymerized isophthalic acid as component B.

Also trichloroethylene was used as a solvent in treating the plain fabric. The resulting fabric was somewhat different in hand from the woven fabric obtained in accordance with Example 5. The repulsion and bulkiness of this fabric also differed from the fabric produced in Example 5. However, this fabric also exhibited excellent woven silk-like qualities.

EXAMPLE 7 A composite filament having an "island-in-sea" type cross sectional configuration of the type shown in Figure 29 was produced. The total number of islands was sixteen and island component A comprised a copolyester containing polyethylene terephthalate and 9.9 mol % of isophthalic acid. The island component B comprised polyethylene terephthalate. The ratio was (A/B = 12/4), and the sea component was a styrene-octyl acrylate (78/22) copolymer present in an amount equal to 4% of the entire composite filament. The filament was spun as a composite filament consisting of many cores embedded with the matrix. Said cores were extremely fine, drawn and parallel to each other along the fiber axis. The total denier and number of filaments in the yarn produced therefrom were 104 D-42 f.Using the obtained yarn as the "nap" warp, a 50 D-1 8 f united filament (100 D) as texture warp and as texture weft, a 2-ply velvet weave was produced.

The length of the raising (naps) in the fabric was about 0.9 mm and the fabric density was 60 warps/in and 90 wefts/in. This woven fabric was washed with trichloroethylene in a washing machine and dried. Thereafter, said woven fabric was treated in boiling water under relaxed conditions and heatset at 1 700C for 5 minutes.

Thereafter, it was dyed black in a liquid stream circular dyeing machine at 1 200C under pressure.

The resulting fabric had naps which could be well bloomed and there were intervals among the naps. Also, light fuzz was mixed in the naps and the overall hand of the fabric was that of a very soft raised woven fabric. On the other hand, a fabric produced according to this example (with the exception of using a composite filament whose islands all comprised component A) is obviously different in appearance and luster compared to the fabric of this example.

Claims (13)

1. A multi-component composite filament of the type having an "islands-in-sea" type crosssectional configuration, comprising at least two different kinds of island components, each dispersed independently without maldistribution of one component to one side of said sea component in said cross-sectional configuration, said island components having a difference in coefficient of free contraction of at least 3% and wherein the sum of the weights of said island components is larger than the weight of said sea component.

2. A multi-component composite filament according to claim 1 wherein the difference in coefficient of free contraction between said island components is at least 5%.

3. A multi-component composite filament according to claim 1 or 2 wherein one of said island components comprise a single component filament and another island component comprises a binary bimetal-type or eccentric-type filament.

4. A multi-component composite filament according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the denier of said island components is between about 0.05-0.6 d.

5. A multi-component composite filament according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the denier of said island components is between about 0.6-2.0 d.

6. A multi-component composite filament according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the denier of said filament is between about 1-1 5 d.

7. A multi-component composite filament according to any preceding claim wherein each of said island components is dispersed in a mutually interposed pattern.

8. A multi-component composite filament according to any preceding claim wherein said island components are disposed concentrically.

9. A multi-component composite filament according to any preceding claim wherein said island components are exposed on the surface of said composite filament.

10. A multi-component composite filament according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein said island components are completely surrounded by said sea component.

11. A multi-component composite filament according to any preceding claim wherein said island components are polymers of the polyester series.

12. A multi-component composite filament substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A multi-component composite filament having an "islands-in-sea" type cross-sectional configuration, said filament comprising at least two different kinds of island components, each dispersed independently without maldistribution of one component to one side of said sea component in said cross-sectional configuration, characterized in that one of said cross-sectional island components comprise a single component filament and the other island component comprises a binary bimetal-type or eccentric-type filament wherein the sum of the weights of said island components is larger than the weight of said sea component.