GB2127868A

GB2127868A - Surface-abraded textile fabrics

Info

Publication number: GB2127868A
Application number: GB08312571A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wolfgang K F Otto
Original assignee: Milliken Research Corp
Current assignee: Milliken Research Corp
Priority date: 1979-11-09
Filing date: 1983-05-06
Publication date: 1984-04-18
Also published as: GB8312571D0; GB2127868B

Abstract

A textile material having a body portion containing a plurality of fibres, of which at least 20% by weight are synthetic fibres, which have a curvature, with convex side portions and concave side portions, in which the convex side portions are exposed, are substantially scarred and contain a multiplicity of generally short, rather thick, lamella-shaped protrusions extending therefrom. Such products can be prepared by the mechanical surface treatment process described in British Patent Application No. 8034630 (Serial No. 2063322).

Description

SPECIFICATION Surface-abraded textile fabrics The present invention relates to surfaceabraded textile fabrics. Such fabrics may be produced by the process, and by use of the apparatus, claimed in our British Patent Application No. 8034630 (Serial No. 2063322).

According to the present invention, a textile material has a body portion containing a plurality of fibres, of which at least 20% by weight are synthetic fibres, which have a curvature, with convex side portions and concave side portions, in which the convex side portions are exposed, substantially scarred and contain a multiplicity of generally short, rather thick, lamella-shaped protrussions extending therefrom.

Preferably at least 45% by weight of the fibres are synthetic fibres, e.g. thermoplastic synthetic fibres such as polyester or nylon fibres. The remaining portion of the textile material, if it is not totally synthetic may be made up of natural fibres and may even include some non-fibrous materials. The fibres in the textile material have a curvature and are arranged so as to have convex side portions and concave side portions. Those convex side portions of the fibres of the material which are exposed, e.g. those which are at or near the surface of the material and are not covered by other fibres, are substantially scarred and they contain a multiplicity of generally short, rather thick lamella-shaped protrusions extending therefrom.While the actual length and number of these protrusions may vary considerably, depending upon the type of material treated and the severity of treatment, it has been determined that, on average, the length of such protrusions is in general quite short, e.g. less than 0.5, and preferably less than 0.03, mm, from the base of the protrusions where they are joined to the main body portion of the fibre to the tip of the protrusions. As mentioned, it has also been observed that the extent of modification of these exposed convex side portions of the textile material may vary depending upon the fabric substrate composition.It is quite apparent, however, that the modification of such characteristics is significant and unique, as applied to a broad range of fabrics, and may be easily identified by comparison of the fabric substrate, after modification, with an untreated control sample or even with a sample of the same composition and structure which has been surface finished using conventional techniques.

The shape of the protrusions has been described in general as being lamella-shaped.

This characterisation is not meant to imply that individual protrusions have a precisely identifiable and reproducible shape. Rather, the term "lamella" is used in its conventional sense to refer to a thin, flat scale or part (see Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, 1 965 ed.). Individual protrusions, furthermore, may be of a rather irregular shape, some even being rather long by comparison with their cross-sectional dimension.

Nonetheless, on average, the protrusions are rather short and are rather flat in cross-sectional dimension, rather than being of a generally circular cross-sectional dimension which might characterise a true "fibril".

It has also frequently been observed, particularly with regard to the preferred products of the present invention, that the cross-sectional dimension of the fibres on or near the surface of the textile material may themselves be distorted as a result of the mechanical surface treatment described and claimed in British Patent Application No. 8034630 (Serial No. 2063322), while the dimension of the fibres not at the surface may remain undisturbed. This has been observed in certain instances, such as where the fabric sample is a thin, hard fabric, as a "smearing" of the synthetic fibres which are thermoplastic in nature. This smearing may be a result of thermoplastic deformation, although we are not certain of the mechanism by which such "smearing" occurs.Furthermore, individual synthetic fibres at or near the surface of the textile material may actually be flattened somewhat as a result of mechanical surface finishing. For example, if the cross-sectional dimension of the individual fibres is substantially circular prior to mechanical surface treatment, it may be observed that, after mechanical surface finishing, the crosssectional dimension is ovoid. Conversely, if the cross-sectional dimension is multi-lobal, fibres at or near the surface of the material may be substantially deformed. A "smearing" effect is observed, and this and any distortion of the crosssectional dimension of the individual fibres at or near the surface of the textile material may contribute the beneficial surface characteristics of the product.

Examples of fabrics which can be subjected to mechanical surface treatment, to obtain products of the invention, are woven, knitted and nonwoven fabrics, as well as coated fabrics. Certain films, e.g. polymeric films may be treated.

Cellulosic, e.g. paper, and natural products such as leather in sheet form may also be treated.

Example of knitted fabrics which may be treated include double knits, jerseys, tricots, warp knit fabrics and weft-insertion fabrics. Suitable woven fabrics are plain weaves, twills and other well known constructions. Such fabrics may be constructed from spun or filament yarns or may be constructed by using both types of yarns in the same fabric. Fabrics made from natural fibres such as wool, silk, cotton or linen may also be treated, although the preferred fabrics are those made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, cellulosic or acetate fibres, or mixtures thereof with natural fibres. Particularly significant improvement in surface characteristics has been observed on fabrics containing polyester fibres.

Products of the invention may be characterised as having a more uniform surface finish than fabrics treated by conventional methods. The novel products may have a finish apparent to the naked eye, or a finish apparent not to the naked eye but to the touch. The novel products may have a generally softer hand and lower fabric bending modulus than known products.

Products of the invention may be treated by, for example, brushing using, for example, nylon or metal, such as brass or steel, brushes.

Products of the invention may be prepared by the process generally and specifically described in British Patent Application No. 8034630 (Serial No. 2063322), and by use of the apparatus generally and specifically described therein.

Products of the invention are exemplified in the Examples of that Application, and illustrated in Figures8,9,15,16,17,21,22,31,32,35,36, 41, 42, 45, 46, 50 and 52 of that Application.

Claims

1. A textile material having a body portion containing a plurality of fibres, of which at least 20% by weight are synthetic fibres, which have a curvature, with convex side portions and concave side portions, in which the convex side portions are exposed, are substantially scarred and contain a multiplicity of generally short, rather thick, lamella-shaped protrusions extending therefrom.

2. A textile material according to claim 1, in which the protrusions have an average length of less than 0.05 mm.

3. A textile material according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the cross-sectional dimension of the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, has been distorted.

4. A textile material according to claim 3, in which the fibres which have been distorted are thermoplastic fibres and the distortion is a result of thermoplastic deformation.

5. A textile material according to claim 3, in which the fibres at or near the surface of the material have been flattened somewhat as a result of mechanical surface finishing.

6. A textile material according to claim 1, substantially as illustrated in any of Figures 8, 9, 15,16, 17,21,22,31,32,35,36,41,42,45, 46, 50 and 52 of the drawings accompanying British Patent Application No. 8034630 (Serial No. 2063322A).

6. A textile material according to any preceding claim, in which the cross-sectional dimension of the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, is ovoid.

7. A textile material according to claim 1, substantially as illustrated in any of Figures 8, 9, 15,16, 17,21,22,31,32,35,36,41,42,45, 46,50 and 52 of the drawings accompanying British Patent Application No. 8034630 (Serial No.2063322).

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 10 Nov.1983 Superseded claims All New or amended claims:

1. A textile material having a body portion containing a plurality of fibres of which at least 20% by weight are synthetic fibres, which have a curvature, with convex side portions and concave side portions, in which there are exposed convex side portions which are substantially scarred and have, extending therefrom, a multiplicity of lamella-shaped protrusions having an average length of less than 0.05 mm (measured from the base of the protrusions where they are joined to the main body portion of the fibres, to the tip of the protrusions).

2. A textile material according to claim 1, in which the cross-sectional dimension of the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, have been distorted.

3. A textile material according to claim 2, in which the fibres which have been distorted are thermoplastic fibres and the distortion is a result of thermoplastic deformation.

4. A textile material according to claim 2, in which the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, have been flattened somewhat as a result of mechanical surface finishing.

5. A textile material according to any preceding claim, in which the cross-sectional dimension of the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, is ovoid.