US2150569A

US2150569A - Textile materials and their preparation

Info

Publication number: US2150569A
Application number: US86825A
Authority: US
Inventors: Whitehead William
Original assignee: Celanese Corp
Current assignee: Celanese Corp
Priority date: 1936-06-12
Filing date: 1936-06-23
Publication date: 1939-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1956-03-14

Description

Patented Mar. 14, 1939 'T X'TILE 'tion of Delaware Y v No Dra'wingi. Application June 23, 19ss. V Serial No. 86,825 I I 11 Claims. 1 This invention relates to the treatment or prep aration of staple fibers which are more suitable for spinning or other ,textile operations than those heretofore produced. v

An object of theinvention isthe preparation of anti-static staple fibers, especially those made from or containing organic derivatives of cellu-.

lose. Another object of the invention is the treatment and preparation of staple fibers, made from or containing organic derivatives ,of cellulose,- with an anti-static finish wherein the coeflicient, of friction of the resulting fibers may be con trolled, thus permitting the regulation of the drafting of such fibers in spinning operations.

A further object of the invention is the pr epara-. tion of yarns or fiberswith an anti static finish which scours readily from the samejn hard or, soft water and which does notaffect theluster or dyeing properties of the yarns or fibers. Other objects of the invention will-appear from the following description. The formation of spun, yarn from comparatively short lengths or ,staples .of, filaments or threads composed of organicderivativesof cellulose present serious difficulty. This is .due to the fact that such organic derivatives of cellulose have a very high di-electric constant and are very poor conductors of electricity, and when the filaments are rubbedtogether or against machine parts during the various operations involved in mixing, carding, drawing, combing, spinning and like operations, a heavy charge of static electricity is produced. Because of the static, electrical charge, the staple fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose do not adhere to each. other readily, tend to adhere to machine parts and cause great difficulty in the textileoperations.

I have found thatif a mixture of an, electrolyte. such as the soaps or salts of amines, a lubricant 0 and a lubricating aid, such as a sulphonated fatty alcohol, is applied to or incorporated with staple fibers containing organic derivatives of cellulose, the tendency to generate static electricity during textile operations is -greatly reduced. .Moreover,

5 I have found that if such mixture is applied to or incorporated with continuous lengths of artificial filaments, especially those made bythe dry or evaporative method of spinning, the great difficulty encountered in winding, drafting, etc.,

i l and cutting such filaments to uniform staple lengths is overcome.

For a number of years, solutions of electrolytes in aqueous and non-aqueous solvents have been used as a finish for staple fibers. 7 Although some of these finishes are excellent anti-static finishes,

they usually impart sc'roopiness and resistance to carding and drafting of thefibers to'yarn. Moreover, some finishes are corrosive, particularly if applied in amounts over 1% on the weight of the fiber. In textile opera tionsrequiring carde ing by the woolen, worsted, cut silk or cotton method 'of, forming slivers, rovings, and yarn, it is very essential that the coefficient of'fri'ction (i. e. the ease with which the fibers slip over each other) of the fiber be controlledinorder that a good drafting ma 'be. hadfland in' order that yarns of. fine sizemay be formedffrom said rovings. 'By employing the mixture o" ern'lllsion of electrolytein accordance with my invention, the coefficient of friction of the'prepared fibersmay be controlled such that in either the cotton method, the woolen method or other method or forming j'jyarns'fan excellent draftingis'att'ained. The finish Produces a lubrication [of the fiberssuffic'ient to allow the'fibersito slip over one another in drafting operations, permittingith'e' formation of yarns of '30'count or finer measured by the cotton methodof measuring yarn.

fA further advantage of my inventionis that the mixture or emulsionof electrolyte may be applied to fibers consisting of airriixture' of'flwoolen or other animal fibers and staple length'fibers of organic derivativesvoficellulose. Th'e emulsion prepared in, accordance, with my invention has no deleterious effects upon wool, cotton or silk and does not interfere with textile operations to which the material is subjected. It'may, therefore, be applied to mixtures of organic derivatives of cellulose, Wool and/or cotton; or. it may beappliedto staple. fibers of organic derivatives of,cellulose which, are to be' mixed .'.with wool and/or cotton. The sulphonatedifatty alcohol derivatives have a high softening powerand they lend'to vtheffinish the advantage of scouring in hard water,v which advantage is, of particular significancewhen the organic derivative of cellulose threads are to be blended with wool and'slub jected .to contact with lime soaps.

In accordance with my inventionfI treat or prepare staple fibers with a mixture or an emulsion containing an electrolyte such as amine soaps or salts of a sulphonated fatty alcohol .or. the fatty acids, a lubricant and a sulphonate'd'compound of the fatty alcohol type that, acts as an agent instabilizing the mixture or emulsion, and

which acts as a finish for the mixture and asoftener forthe artificial fibers. By the term sulphonated fatty alcohol is meant the fatty alcohols that contain either or both the H803 and/or the sol groups. .Sulphonated fatty alcohols, therefore, include the sulphonic acid derivative and the sulphate of the fatty alcohol. The sulphonated compound of the fatty alcohol type also acts as an agentv eifectingthe penetration and uniform covering of the fibers by the mixture or emulsion and for affecting the appearance of the mixture or emulsion in or on the fibers. The lubricant in the emulsion may consist of a mineral oil, vegetable oil, or a part or all of the oil may be replaced by a sulphonated vegetable oil. The mixture or emulsion of electrolyte and lubricant may be incorporated in relatively continuous lengths of artificial filaments in any suitable manner and the continuous lengths may then be cut into staple fibers, or else the staple fibers themselves maybe treated with the mixture or emulsion of the electrolyte either during or after cutting, or beforeany spinning operation, or at any suitable intermediate stage of the spinning operation, or the mixture or emulsion may be applied to the roving, silver or yarn formed in the fibers. I

While this invention is of general application and is applicable to the treatment of natural fibers such as cotton or wool or staples cut from natural silk or yarns or filaments made of recon j 5 The mineral oil employed in forming the emulsion may be any suitable mineral oil, preferably one which is light in color. The mineral oil also is preferably completely saturated. The amount of mineral oil employed as well as viscosity of same will depend to a great extent upon the type of fiber employed and the operation to which the fiber is subjected. For general use in carding, drafting and spinning operations by either the I oil, there may be substituteda sulphonated vegestituted cellulose (such as may be made by the" viscose, cuprammonium or nitrate method), it is of particular importance in connection with staple fibers made of organic derivatives of cellulose such as organic esters of cellulose and cellulose ethers. Examples of organic derivatives of cellulose are cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate' and cellulose butyrate, while examples of cellulose ethers are ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose. Therefore, this invention will be described more particularly in connection with the preparation or treatment of staple fibers made of cellulose acetate or other organic derivatives of cellulose.

The artificial filaments. of organic derivatives of cellulose may be formed from solutions of the same in suitable solvents by extruding said solutions through orifices into a dry or evaporative atmosphere as in dry spinning or by extrusion through orifices into a bath containing a precipitating liquid as in wet spinning. Such filaments may be treated while in the untwisted state by my process, or two or more of such filaments may be associated together by twisting, to form yarns or threads, which yarns or threads may be treated with my process. The mixture or emulsion with which I treat or prepare'yarns or fibers may contain from 300 to 350 parts by weight of mineral oil, vegetable oil or sulphonated vegetable oil, or a mixture of these, 20 to 60 parts by weight of a sulphonated fatty alcohol or a salt thereof, which sulphonated fatty alcohol may contain traces of unsulphonated fatty alcohol and from '75 to 125 parts by weight of a fatty acid soap of an amine. The sulphonated oils and sulphonated fatty alcohol compounds, in themselves, are anti-static and a mixture of these with the fatty acid soaps of amine would be expected to provide a good anti-static. However, I have discovered that the mixture of these compounds produces a better anti-static finish than either of the compounds separately. Furthermore, the mixture provides a lubricating quality to the yarn and a softening of the fiber which produces fibers having a desirable coefficient of friction for the process.

A further advantage of my invention is that the anti-static qualities are maintained even in cool and dry atmospheres.

table oil such as sulphonated olive oil, sulphonated castor oil and the like.

The lubricant aid, generally referred to as a sulphonated fatty alcohol, or a salt thereof, may be the sulphonated product of any suitable alco- "hol, for instance, lauryl, oleyl, stearyl, palmetyl,

etc., which sulphonated product contains either or both the sulphonic or sulphate groups. The sulphonated fatty alcohol may contain from a trace to as high as 5% to 10% or more, based on the weight of the sulphonated fatty alcohol, of the free or unsulphonated alcohol. The sulphonated fatty alcohols may be used in the form of their sodium, potassium or amine salts. For instance, the triethanolamine salt of the sulphonated fatty alcohol is found to be exceptionally suited for forming the anti-static finish. In-

place of employing as a basic material the salt of the sulphonated fatty alcohol, the salt may-be formed in the emulsion by adding the base to pounds or a'mixture of same, as well as such compounds that contain from a trace to 10% or more of the unsulphonated fatty alcohol. When itis desirable to form a free flowing anti-static finish suitable for use without the application of heat or agitation, it is preferable to employ the sulphonated fatty alcohol or salt of the lower molecular weight fatty acids such as oleyl alcohol.

While any suitable organic electrolyte may be employed, I prefer to employ the hygroscopic organic electrolyte, examples of which are mono-, di-, tri-ethanolamine soaps of fatty acids, the methylamine, amylamine, "etc. soaps of the fatty acids and like amine soaps. The acid part of the soap may be any suitable fatty acid such as oleic, palmetic, stearic, lauric. I have also found that triethanolamine is of exceptional value in mixtures containing the sulphonated oleyl or lauryl alcohol. It is not necessary to use pre-formed soaps of amines as the same may be formed in the mixture 'or emulsion by adding separately the fatty acid and the amine. The mixture oremulsion of lubricant, electrolyte and aids may be emusified to any suitable'concentration of viscosity by the addition of water. The mixture or emulsion of lubricant can also be applied by warming or heating the mixture if the viscosity of the same warrants it. Where the mixture is 40' the emulsion in an amount sufllcient toneutral- 3 By the term sulphonated.

' desirable method is to'apply the electrolyte emulsion to the artificial silk immediately "after the emulsified with water,- the amount of water employed will depend upon'the nature-of applica tion to the yarn gr'fiber' and of the textile operation to which the fiber will be subjected.

The amount of the individual compounds present in the mixture or-emulsion and the amount of the same applied will vary in accordance-.With the nature of the electrolyte, the lubricant, the nature of the staple fibers and the results to be obtained. Generally, for the cutting and spinning byeith'erthecotton or woolen method of forming yarns, the amount of the individual compounds will .be present in" about -thoseproportions specified in the example hereinafter given.

The amount of such mixture applied to or incorporated in the fibers will be from 1% to '10'% based on the weight of the fibers; of the'substantially water-free emulsion. When the emulsion contains water allowance should be made in theapplication of the same to the fibers so that upon the'evaporation of the water in equilibriumwith the atmosphere the desired amount of finish will remain on the fiber. Excellent results have been obtained by the application of. from 1%-t0 3% based on the weight of the fibers of the mixture;

The filaments or yarnsmay be'treated-with the emulsions of the electrolyte while they are still in the comparatively continuous lengths in which they are formed. Conveniently the emulsion of electrolyte may be applied by means of wicks, rollers or other furnishing devices to the yarn or filaments while they are'in' transit.= A

artificial silk leaves the spinning cabinet in which it is formed, while on the way to a cutting device which cuts it into staple fibers; If desired, the relatively continuous lengths may be treated in the form of hanks or othersuitable packages prior to being cut into staple-or chappe of suitable length. Instead of treating'the filaments after their formation with the emulsion of electrolyte, such emulsions may be added to or incorporated in the spinning solution in which said filaments are formed, whereby filaments containing such emulsions are formed directly. The artificial filaments may be formed and if desired lubricated at the metier with any suitable lubricant, then either before or after cuttingthey may be washed in a bath containing a little soap or other scouring agent and then have a finish.

containing the anti-static material appliedthereto. The washing treatment removes any lubricant that may be present but-also removes residual solvent and adds a slight curl to the fiber.

Alternatively staple fibers, either natural, such as cotton, wool, or those formed by the cutting of continuous lengths of natural silk or artificial filaments may be treated with the emulsion of electrolyte. In this case the staple fibers may be placed in bags which are immersed in the bath of the emulsion and which, for convenience, may be tied in bundles prior to immersion in the bath. The treatment of the staple fibers may also be made during the intermediate stage of the spinning operation, such asimmediately after lapping, carding, drawing, or slubbing. A preferred means of applying the emulsion to staple fibers cut from substantially continuous lengths of filaments containing organic derivatives of cellulose is to spray the emulsion upon the cut fibers as they leave the cutting. knives and are blown into a. storage space. A still further method of applying the emulsion to fibers is during a mixing or picking operation in which case the emulsion is blown, in an atomized form, or sprinkled upon the fibers as they leave the mixer or picker.

long time in the wool method wherein a layer of the fiber is laid upon an oiling floor and the same sprinkled by hand or otherwise with the emulsion and then .a further layer laid down and this sprinkled and soon. 1 In the latter method it is preferable to first subject the artificial fibers to a washing or scouring treatment in an aqueous bath containingforinstance from 1 to 10 grams per litre, of soap or other scouring agent.

As to the length of the staple fiber,-lengths ranging from or more than 10'inches are suitable. The artificial filaments may be of any suitable weight per unit length, say from 1 to 30 or more denier, examples of which are 1.9, 2.5, 3, or 5 denier or more.

After treatment with an emulsion of electrolyte, the short" lengths of filaments or fibers are then subjected to asuitable spinning operation, such ments or fibers in the form required for the actual operation of twisting them. into yarn. This may include carding, lapping, mixing, spinning, opening. up, etc.

-In order to further illustrate my invention without} being limited thereby; the following specific examples are given: v l

Example I A mixture is made by mixing together 312 parts by weight of mineral oil of 50 second viscosity (Saybolt at 100 F. ),'28 parts by weight of a sulphonated fatty alcohol, 60 parts by weight of 'a fatty acid (oleic acid) and 29' parts by weight triethanolamine. These ingredients are-mixed until a'substantially clear'mixture is obtained. Staple fibers, during thecutting operation, are sprayed with'this" mixturein such an amount thatfrom 1% to 3% on the weight of the fibers of the mixture-is applied thereto. 'Ihestaple fibers are found tobe anti-static, softened and.

lubricated su'fliciently to pass throughall the textile operations without deleterious effects and be formed by the woolen method of making yarns into a yarn of a finer size than 25 count, by the cotton method of measuring yarns. The mixture is readily scourable in hard or soft water from the yarns.

Example II amount of triethanolamine is added to neutralize any developed acidity. The staple fibers re sprayed with this mixture in such an amount t at from 1% to 3% on the weight of the fibers of the mixture is applied thereto. The staple fibers are found to be anti-static, softened and lubricated sufiiciently to pass through all the textile operations without deleterious effects and be formed by the woolen method of making yarns into a yarn of a finer size than 25 count, by the cotton method on the weight of the mixture, of an organic hygroscopic agent, which agent is a softening agent; for organic derivatives of cellulose. These agents may be the glycols and/ or their ethers.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merelyby way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my'invention, what I desire to secure by Letters'Pate'nt is:

1. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of an organic derivative of cellulose, thesteps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture of an organic electrolyte comprising a fatty acid soap of-an amine, a lubricant and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

2. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of cellulose acetate, the steps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture of an organic electrolyte comprising a fatty acid soapof an amine, a lubricant and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

3. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of an organic derivative of cellulose, the steps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture comprising an organic electrolyte, a lubricant and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

4. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of cellulose ace- "tate, the steps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture'Vcomprising-an organic electrolyte, a lubricant and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

5.; Ina method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of an organic derivative of cellulose, the steps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture comprising an organic electrolyte, a lubricant comprising one or a mixture of the compounds selected from the group consisting of mineral oil,

vegetable oil and a sulphonated vegetable oil, and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

to 20% I 2,130,569 The mixture readilyv 6. In a method of forming-"spun yarns containing. short lengths of tate, thasteps of incorporating therewith before the-drafting. operatic I, r mixture comprising an organic electro yt bricant comprising one or a mixtureo the compounds selected from the groupconsisting of mineral oil, vegetable oil and a siiiphonated vegetable oil and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

'7. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of cellulose acetate, the steps of incorporating with the fibers before the drafting operation a mixture comprising from 300 to,350 parts by weight of a lubricant, from to parts by weight of an organic electrolyte and from 20 to 60 parts by weight of a sulphonated' fatty alcohol compound and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

8. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of organic derivatives of cellulose, the steps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture comprising an organic electrolyte, a lubricant, a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound and an orgafiic hygroscopic material and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

9. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of ,fibers of cellulose acetate, the steps of incorporating therewith before the drafting operation a mixture comprising an organic electrolyte, a lubricant, a sulphonated fatty fibers of cellulose acealcohol compound and an organic hygroscopic material and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

10. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of organic derivatives of cellulose, the steps of incorporating in said fibers before the drafting operation a mixture comprising an organic electrolyte, a lubricant and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound, said step of incorporation of the mixture with the fibers being performed while the mixture is at an elevated temperature and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn. Y

11. In a method of forming spun yarns containing short lengths of fibers of cellulose acetate, the steps of incorporating in said fibers before the drafting operation a mixture comprising an organic electrolyte, a lubricant and a sulphonated fatty alcohol compound, said step of incorporation of the mixture with the fibers being performed while the mixture is at an elevated temperature and then spinning the treated fibers into a yarn.

' WILLIAM WHITEHEAD.