Integrated process for the production of textured polycaprolactam multifilament yarn

Abstract

An improvement is provided in an integrated process for the production of textured multifilament yarn from a fiber-forming, thermoplastic, linear, high-molecular-weight polymer of caprolactam by the combination in immediate succession of the procedural steps of melt spinning, drawing, texturing, and packaging. The present improvement combines the following procedural steps with those of melt spinning, drawing, texturing, and packaging: (1) Lubricating the filamentary polymeric material from the melt spinning step by applying thereto a lubricating composition containing (a) a lubricant, and (b) solvent in an amount of from 0 to 20 percent by weight of the lubricating composition; (2) Pre-tensioning the lubricated melt spun filamentary polymeric material beyond its elastic limit between a first godet at room temperature, viz. between about 15.degree. and 25.degree. C.; followed by (3) Pre-heating the pre-tensioned filamentary polymeric material on a second godet to a temperature between about 40.degree. and 70.degree. C. prior to the drawing thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.