# US 2020/0399460 A1 · Gel spun fibers and method of making > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399460 A1 - Document ID: US20200399460A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/962,031 - Filed: 2019-01-18 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-21 - Inventors: Sebastian S. PLAMTHOTTAM - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399460A1 ## CPC - C08L 53/02: of vinyl-aromatic monomers and conjugated dienes - D01F 6/46: of polyolefins - D01D 1/06: Feeding liquid to the spinning head (constructions of pumps F04) - D01D 5/06: Wet spinning methods {(D01D5/0046 takes precedence)} - D01F 1/10: Other agents for modifying properties - D01F 6/04: from polyolefins - C08L 2203/12: used for fibers - D10B 2321/0211: high-strength or high-molecular-weight polyethylene, e.g. ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene [UHMWPE] - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - D01F: CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS - D01D: MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract This invention relates to eco-friendly solutions and gels for making high strength ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPO) fibers, films, filters, membranes by solution and gel spinning techniques. This invention also makes soft, strong, oriented, and elastic fibers from styrenic block copolymers. The polymers are first dissolved or dispersed in a cyclic terpene. In some embodiments, the fibers are extruded or drawn from the solution or gel, and cooled to form a gel filament. In some embodiments, the fibers and films are soft and elastic by making the spinnable solution or gel from polyolefin and styrenic block copolymers or other elastomeric polymers in cyclic terpene. In some embodiments the fibers and films produced can be oriented by stretching or drawing in the gel state before and/or during and/or after removal of cyclic terpene. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A filament forming composition comprising a polyolefin and a cyclic terpene, wherein the polyolefin is an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, in which the ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin is present in an amount of from about 0.001 wt. % to about 15 wt. % based on the weight of the composition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The composition claim 1, further comprising a rubbery material chosen from polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene rubber or a combination thereof and the formed fibers are crosslinked. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The composition of claim 4, wherein the rubbery material is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt. % to about 15 wt. % based on the weight of the composition. ### Claim 6 A filament forming composition comprising a styrenic block copolymer, a polyolefin, and a cyclic terpene wherein the polyolefin is an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin. ### Claim 7 The composition of clam 6 in which the polyolefin is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The composition of claim 6, wherein the ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin is present in an amount of from about 0.001 wt. % to about 15 wt. % based on the weight of the composition. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The composition of claim 6, wherein the styrenic block copolymer is saturated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The composition claim 6, in which the composition comprises an oil or plasticizer, in addition to the styrenic block copolymer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The composition claim 6, wherein the styrenic block copolymer is poly (styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A fiber produced from the composition of claim 1. ### Claim 13 A method for preparation of a fiber comprising: furnishing a composition comprising a polyolefin dissolved or dispersed in a cyclic terpene in an amount sufficient to form a gel filament forming solution or gel; drawing the solution as a fiber or extruding the said solution or gel through an aperture to an indefinite length; cooling the solution or gel downstream, drawing the fiber before and/or during and/or after partial or complete removal of the cyclic terpene by evaporation or leaching or a combination of both. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 in which the polyolefin is ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 in which the polyolefin is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim of claim 13 in which the composition comprises a styrenic block copolymer in addition to the polyolefin. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the styrenic block copolymer is saturated. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the styrenic block copolymer is poly (styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene). ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the composition for furnishing a solution or gel comprises an oil or plasticizer compatible with a mid-block segment of the sytrenic block copolymer.