Methods and compositions for modifying polypropylene-based fibers

A masterbatch composition for use with a polypropylene having a Melt Flow Index of 45 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg, the masterbatch composition comprising:

• an additive blend consisting essentially of:
• a terpolymer having a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg selected from:
• a first terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and maleic anhydride having a maleic anhydride content of at least 2% by weight, a second terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and glycidyl methacrylate having a glycidyl methacrylate content of at least 7% by weight, and mixtures thereof, and
• an amine-terminated copolyamide having a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg,
• wherein the weight ratio of terpolymer to copolyamide in the additive blend is from 2:1 to 1:1.

A process for preparing polypropylene-based fibres that are dyeable when the polypropylene-based fibres are contacted with an aqueous dispersion of a disperse dye under atmospheric pressure, the process comprising:

• providing an additive blend consisting essentially of
• a terpolymer selected from:
• a first terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and maleic anhydride having a maleic anhydride content of at least 2% by weight, a second terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and glycidyl methacrylate having a glycidyl methacrylate content of at least 7% by weight, and mixtures thereof, wherein the terpolymer has a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg, and
• an amine-terminated copolyamide having a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg,
• wherein the weight ratio of terpolymer to amine-terminated copolyamide in the additive blend is from 2:1 to 1:1;
• blending the additive blend with a polypropylene having a Melt Flow Index of 45 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg to provide a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition comprises from 1% to 10% by weight of the additive blend and from 85% to 99% by weight of the polypropylene, and
• forming the polypropylene-based fibres from the polymer composition.

A polypropylene-based fibre, yarn or textile comprising:

• from 85% to 99% by weight of a polypropylene having a Melt Flow Index of 45 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg;
• and
• from 1 to 10% of an additive blend consisting essentially of:
• a terpolymer selected from:
• a first terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and maleic anhydride having a maleic anhydride content of at least 2% by weight, a second terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and glycidyl methacrylate having a glycidyl methacrylate content of at least 7% by weight, and mixtures thereof, wherein the terpolymer has a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg, and
• an amine-terminated copolyamide having a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg,
• wherein the weight ratio of terpolymer to amine-terminated polyamide in the additive blend is from 2:1 to 1:1.

A masterbatch composition for use with a polypropylene having a Melt Flow Index of 45 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg, the masterbatch composition comprising:

• an additive blend consisting essentially of:
• a terpolymer having a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg selected from:
• a first terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and maleic anhydride having a maleic anhydride content of at least 2% by weight, a second terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic or methacrylic ester and glycidyl methacrylate having a glycidyl methacrylate content of at least 7% by weight, and mixtures thereof, and
• an amine-terminated copolyamide having a Melt Flow Index of 30 g/10 min. or less at 190° C., 2.16 kg,
• from 0.3 to 1% by weight of a fatty acid monoglyceride, wherein the fatty acid is selected from C12 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acids and mixtures thereof,
• wherein the weight ratio of terpolymer to copolyamide in the additive blend is from 3:1 to 1:1.