Mechanically crimped fiber tow having increased bulk and crimp take-up
AssigneeInvista North America S.A.R.L.
InventorDon M SALISBURY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved fiber tow and process for forming the same is disclosed. The fiber tow may include a plurality of mechanically crimped fibers with a primary crimp having a saw tooth crimp shape. For fiber tows comprising fibers with denier per filament of greater than about 5, the plurality of mechanically crimped fibers have an average crimp take-up of greater than about 40%. For fiber tows comprising fibers with denier per filament of less than about 5, the plurality of mechanically crimped fibers have an average crimp take-up of greater than about 30%.
Claims29
A fiber tow, comprising a plurality of mechanically crimped fibers with a primary crimp having a saw tooth crimp shape, wherein the average denier per filament of the fibers is greater than about 5, and wherein the plurality of mechanically crimped fibers have an average crimp take-up of greater than about 40%.
A fiber tow, comprising a plurality of mechanically crimped fibers with a primary crimp having a saw tooth crimp shape, wherein the average denier per filament of the fibers is less than about 5, and wherein the plurality of mechanically crimped fibers have an average crimp take-up of greater than about 30%.
An article of manufacture comprising a plurality of fiber tows from any of claims 1-24.
A process for forming a fiber tow including a plurality of mechanically crimped fibers, the process comprising:
- a) conveying a fiber tow including a plurality of substantially uncrimped fibers towards a stuffer box;
- b) imparting a primary mechanical crimp in a saw tooth crimp shape on the fiber tow;
- c) conveying the fiber tow including a plurality of substantially crimped fibers in a substantially compacted form immediately into a relaxing oven;
- and
- d) heating the fiber tow via the relaxing oven to crystalize and shrink the fiber tow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.