Back to results
US 5,580,499 AGranted
Process for producing zein fibers
AssigneeE. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorWilliam C. Uy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed invention relates to a process wherein zein fibers are prepared by mixing zein and water, preferably btween 0.degree. C. and 18.degree. C., to form a free-flowing, particulate mixture; heating the mixture to a temperature of about 45.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. while simultaneously extruding the mixture through a spinneret to form zein fibers which are subsequently treated with a formaldehyde stabilizing solution and drawn. This process obviates the need for environmentally unfriendly alkaline solutions and acid coagulating baths.
Claims9
A process for producing zein fibers, comprising the steps of:
- (a) mixing zein with water at a temperature of 0.degree. C. to ambient;
- (b) heating the mixture to a temperature of about 45.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. to form a zein hydrate melt;
- (c) forming the zein hydrate melt into zein fibers;
- (d) treating said fibers with a stabilizing solution;
- and
- (e) optionally, drawing said fibers.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.