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AssigneeArkema Inc.
InventorsJames J. Henry, James T GOLDBACH, Sean M STABLER
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The invention relates to a melt-processable fiber-bonding agent made of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), such as KYNAR® PVDF from Arkema, as well as to fibrous materials bonded with the PVDF fiber-bonding agent. The PVDF fiber-bonding agent is a low-melt temperature, low melt viscosity PVDF polymer or copolymer with excellent chemical and oxidative resistance properties, and is suitable for bonding fibers in non-woven fabrics, especially for use in chemically-aggressive environments. The PVDF fiber-bonding agent composition allows it to be processed into fibers on conventional melt spinning equipment. The PVDF fiber-bonding agent is introduced into non-woven fabric in the form of a continuous fiber web or as a component of a mixed fiber formulation. When heated above its melting point, the lower melting point PVDF fiber-bonding agent of the invention bonds the fibers of the fiber framework at the fiber cross-over points.
A fibrous composite material comprising primary fibers and a fiber-bonding agent composition, wherein said fiber-bonding agent composition comprises a melt-processed fluoropolymer, said fluoropolymer being a homopolymer or a copolymer comprising at least 60 weight percent of vinylidene fluoride monomer units, wherein said fluoropolymer composition has a melt viscosity of from 10 to 5,000 poise as measured at 100 s−1 and 230° C. by capillary rheology, and wherein said fluoropolymer has a second heat melting point of from 110° C. to 180° C. as measured by DSC, and wherein said fiber-bonding agent composition has a melting point of at least 10° C. below the melting point of the primary fibers.
A multi-component fiber comprising a primary fiber and a fiber-bonding agent, wherein said fiber-bonding agent composition is on the outside of said multi-component fiber, and said fiber-bonding agent comprises a melt-processed fluoropolymer, said fluoropolymer being a homopolymer or a copolymer comprising at least 60 weight percent of vinylidene fluoride monomer units, wherein said fluoropolymer composition has a melt viscosity of from 10 to 5,000 poise as measured at 100 s−1 and 230° C. by capillary rheology, and wherein said fluoropolymer has a second heat melting point of from 110° C. to 180° C. as measured by DSC, and wherein said fiber-bonding agent composition has a melting point of at least 10° C. below the melting point of the primary fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.