Sulfo-fluorination of synthetic resins
AssigneeAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.
InventorsDale D. Dixon, Larry J. Hayes
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Abstract
This invention relates to a process for improving the water wicking and moisture transport properties of synthetic resins, e.g., fiber form polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, and polyacrylonitriles, which comprises sulfofluorinating said resins in a self-activating gaseous reaction medium containing from about 0.1-20% by volume elemental fluorine, 0.1-50% by volume of sulfur dioxide, 0-21% by volume oxygen, and the balance inert for providing from 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.9 to 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.3 milligrams fluorine and sulfur per square centimeter of resin surface.
Claims5
The process for improving the water transport or wicking properties of a synthetic polymer material which comprises sulfo-fluorinating the polymeric materials in a sealed reaction chamber by reacting said polymeric material with a self-activating gaseous medium comprising about 0.1 to about 20% by volume fluorine, 0.1 to about 50% by volume sulfur dioxide, not more than about 21% by volume oxygen, and the balance comprising inert gases for a time less than one hour and at a temperature for providing from 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.9 .times. 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.3 mg fluorine and sulfur per square centimeter of polymeric material surface.
The method of treating fiber form synthetic resins selectd from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, and polyacrylonitriles for improving the water transport properties thereof, said method comprising sulfo-fluorinating said fibers by reacting said fibers with a self-activating gaseous reaction medium containing by volume from 0.1-10% fluorine, 0.1-20% sulfur dioxide, not more than about 5% oxygen, and the balance comprising inert gases for a time less than about 15 minutes and of a temperature providing from 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.9 to 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.3 mg of fluorine and sulfur per square centimeter of fiber surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.