# US 4,921,890 A · Process for improving polymer substrate properties, and flame retardancy modified polymers produced thereby > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,921,890 A - Document ID: US4921890A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/042,278 - Filed: 1987-04-24 - Granted: 1990-05-01 - Earliest claimed: 1987-04-24 - Assignees: Intera Corporation - Inventors: Katsumi Hayashi; Gregory A. Lentz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4921890A ## CPC - D06M 14/28: of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds - D06M 14/10: of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds - D06M 14/14: Polyesters - D06M 14/16: Polyamides - D06M 14/32: Polyesters - D06M 14/34: Polyamides - D06M: TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS ## Abstract A process for improving the flame retardancy, hygroscopic, soil release and other properties of a polymer substrate is provided in which the substrate is contacted with a suitable aqueous mixture containing a water-soluble monomer and an organic halogen-containing hydrophobic carrier compound at a temperature of between about 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. Polymerization of the monomer is thereafter initiated by a chemical or physical initiator to form a polymer evenly disposed on the substrate. The flame retardancy, hygroscopic, soil release and other surface properties of the substrate are thereby improved. The mixture may be in the form of an emulsion wherein the hydrophobic carrier compound is emulsified by an appropriate agent. The invention also pertains to the improved substrates prepared in accordance with the present process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for improving the flame retardancy, hygroscopic, dye receptive and other surface properties of a polymer substrate comprising: (a) contacting the substrate with a flame retarding effective amount of an aqueous emulsion of an organic hydrophobic halogen-containing carrier compound, said carrier compound having the formula: ##STR8## wherein n is an integer from 0 to 10 inclusive, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, aryl, epoxyalkyl, aralkyl, or saturated acyl group R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; R.sup.3 is F, Cl, Br or I; and R.sup.4 is an alkylidene, alkylene, --O--, --S--, --CO--, or --SO.sub.2 13 group, at a temperature between about 40.degree. C. and 100.degree. C.; (b) adding an amount of a water-soluble monomer to the emulsion effective to improve the hygroscopic, antistatic, dye-receptive or water-wetting properties of said substrate; and (c) initiating polymerization of said water-soluble monomer to form a polymer on the substrate whereby the improvement in flame retardancy and surface properties of the substrate persists for at least 20 cycles of laundering in a conventional home washing machine. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 wherein the monomer is N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 wherein the emulsion in step (a) is maintained below the polymerization temperature and contains an initiator which is activated by raising the temperature above the polymerization temperature in step (c). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature during polymerization is between about 90.degree. C. and 95.degree. C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 wherein the emulsion is in contact with the substrate from about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes prior to step (c). ### Claim 6 A process for improving the flame retardancy, hygroscopic, dye-receptive and other surface properties of a polymer substrate comprising: (a) contacting the substrate under agitation with a flame retarding effective amount of an aqueous emulsion of an organic hydrophobic halogen-containing carrier compound, wherein said carrier compound has the formula: ##STR9## wherein n is an integer from 0 to 10 inclusive, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen, alkyl, halogenated alkyl, aryl, epoxyalkyl, aralkyl, or saturated acyl group R.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; R.sup.3 is F, Cl, Br or I; and R.sup.4 is an alkylidene, alkylene, --O--, --S--, --CO--, or --SO.sub.2 -- group; (b) rinsing the substrate to remove excess emulsifying agents from the substrate; (c) contacting the emulsion-laden substrate with an amount of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble monomer effective to improve the hygroscopic, antistatic, dye-receptive or water-wetting properties of said substrate at a temperature between about 40.degree. C. and about 100.degree. C; and (d) initiating polymerization of said monomer to form a polymer on the substrate whereby the flame retardancy, hygroscopic, soil release and other surface properties of the substrate are improved. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process according to claim 6 wherein the water-soluble monomer is N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The process according to claim 6 wherein the temperature during step (a) is between about 40.degree. C. and about 100.degree. C. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The process according to claim 6 wherein the temperature during polymerization is between about 80.degree. C. and about 100.degree. C. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The process according to claim 9 wherein the temperature during polymerization is between about 90.degree. C. and about 95.degree. C. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 6) The process according to any of claims 1 or 6 wherein the substrate is polyester. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The substrate having improved flame retardancy, hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 1. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The substrate having improved flame retardancy, hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 6. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The polyester substrate having improved flame retardancy, hygroscopic and soil release properties prepared in accordance with the process of claim 11.