# US 5,705,119 A · Process of making skin-core high thermal bond strength fiber > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,705,119 A - Document ID: US5705119A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/598,168 - Filed: 1996-02-07 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-06-24 - Assignees: Hercules Incorporated - Inventors: Kunihiko Takeuchi; Rakesh K. Gupta; Shiv Sibal; Richard J. Coffin; Walter J. Freeman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5705119A ## CPC - D01F 11/04: of synthetic polymers - D01D 4/02: Spinnerettes (alloys therefor C22C) - D01D 5/08: Melt spinning methods {(D01D5/0023 takes precedence)} - D01D 5/088: Cooling filaments, threads or the like, leaving the spinnerettes - D01F 6/04: from polyolefins - D01F 6/06: from polypropylene - D04H 1/54: by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving (in combination with needling D04H1/485) - D04H 3/16: with bonds between thermoplastic filaments produced in association with filament formation, e.g. immediately following extrusion - Y10S 425/013: Electric heat - 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 - D04H: MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL (weaving D03; knitting D04B; braiding D04C; net-making D04G; sewing D05B; tufting D05C; finishing non-woven fabrics D06); FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING {; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION}(non-woven fabrics having an intermediate or external layer of a different kind, e.g. of woven fabric, B32B) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract Process and apparatus for spinning polymer filaments permits the obtaining of skin-core filament structure by feeding a polymer composition to a spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the spinnerette; heating the polymer composition at a location at or adjacent to the spinnerette so as to heat the polymer composition to a sufficient temperature to obtain a skin-core filament structure upon quenching in an oxidative atmosphere; extruding the heated polymer composition through the spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere so as to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a heated polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette; supplying additional heat to the polyolefin composition at a location at or adjacent to the at least one spinnerette so as to heat the polyolefin composition to a sufficient temperature to obtain a skin-core filament structure upon quenching in an oxidative atmosphere; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette to form molten filaments; and immediately quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere, as the molten filaments are extruded, to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 2 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a heated polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette; supplying additional heat to the polyolefin composition at a location at or adjacent to the at least one spinnerette so as to obtain sufficient heating of the polyolefin composition to partially degrade the polyolefin composition in a vicinity of the at least one spinnerette; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette to form molten filaments; and immediately quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere, as the molten filaments are extruded, to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3, wherein the feeding a polyolefin composition to the at least one spinnerette comprises feeding a heated polypropylene composition having a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3, wherein the supplying additional heat comprises heating the polypropylene composition to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3, wherein the supplying additional heat comprises directly heating the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process according to claim 6, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process according to claim 7, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3, wherein the supplying additional heat comprises positioning at least one heated apertured plate upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The process according to claim 9, wherein the at least one heated apertured plate is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The process according to claim 10, wherein the at least one apertured plate is positioned about 1 to 4 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The process according to claim 2, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The process according to claim 12, wherein the feeding a polyolefin composition to the at least one spinnerette comprises feeding a heated polypropylene composition having a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The process according to claim 12, wherein the supplying additional heat comprises heating the polypropylene composition to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The process according to claim 12, wherein the supplying additional heat comprises directly heating the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The process according to claim 15, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The process according to claim 16, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The process according to claim 12, wherein the supplying additional heat comprises positioning at least one heated apertured plate upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The process according to claim 18, wherein the at least one heated apertured plate is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The process according to claim 19, wherein the at least one apertured plate is positioned about 1 to 4 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 21 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette; heating the at least one spinnerette to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C. extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette to form molten filaments; and immediately quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere, as the molten filaments are extruded, to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 22 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette; heating at least one apertured element positioned upstream of the at least one spinnerette to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C.; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one apertured element and the at least one spinnerette to form molten filaments; and immediately quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere, as the molten filaments are extruded, to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The process according to claim 22, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The process according to claim 23, wherein the at least one apertured element is positioned about 1 to 4 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The process according to claim 24, wherein the at least one apertured element is positioned about 2 to 3 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The process according to claim 25, wherein the at least one apertured element is positioned about 2.5 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The process according to claim 23, wherein the at least one apertured element comprises at least one apertured plate. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The process according to claim 27, wherein the at least one apertured plate is positioned about 1 to 4 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 29 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the at least one spinnerette; heating the polyolefin composition at a location at or adjacent to the at least one spinnerette so as to heat the polyolefin composition to a sufficient temperature to obtain a skin-core filament structure upon quenching in an oxidative atmosphere; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere so as to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The process according to claim 29, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the heating the polyolefin composition comprises heating to a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The process according to claim 31, wherein the heating the polyolefin composition comprises heating to a temperature of at least about 220.degree. C. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The process according to claim 32, wherein the heating the polyolefin composition comprises heating to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The process according to claim 31, wherein the extruding comprises extruding polyolefin composition having a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The process according to claim 34, wherein the extruding comprises extruding polyolefin composition having a temperature of at least about 220.degree. C. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The process according to claim 35, wherein the extruding comprises extruding polyolefin composition having a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) The process according to claim 31, wherein the molten filaments are immediately quenched. ### Claim 38 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the heating comprises directly heating the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The process according to claim 38, wherein the at least one spinnerette is substantially uniformly heated. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The process according to claim 39, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The process according to claim 40, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 370.degree. C. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The process according to claim 41, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 290.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The process according to claim 42, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 330.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. ### Claim 44 (depends on 39) The process according to claim 39, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 45 (depends on 39) The process according to claim 39, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises about 500 to 150,000 capillaries. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The process according to claim 45, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises about 30,000 to 120,000 capillaries. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The process according to claim 46, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises about 30,000 to 70,000 capillaries. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The process according to claim 47, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises about 30,000 to 45,000 capillaries. ### Claim 49 (depends on 45) The process according to claim 45, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises capillaries having a cross-sectional area of about 0.02 to 0.2 mm.sup.2, and a length of about 1 to 20 mm. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The process according to claim 49, wherein the capillaries have a recess at a lower portion. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The process according to claim 50, wherein the recess has a cross-sectional area of about 0.05 to 0.4 mm.sup.2, and a length about 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The process according to claim 51, wherein the recess has a cross-sectional area of about 0.3 mm.sup.2 and a length of about 0.5 mm. ### Claim 53 (depends on 49) The process according to claim 49, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises capillaries having a cross-sectional area of about 0.07 mm.sup.2, and a length of about 1 to 5 mm. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The process according to claim 53, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises capillaries having a length of about 1.5 mm. ### Claim 55 (depends on 45) The process according to claim 45, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises capillaries having a tapered portion. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The process according to claim 55, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises countersunk capillaries having a total length of about 3 to 20 mm; a first cross-sectional area of about 0.03 mm.sup.2 to 0.2 mm.sup.2 at a lower portion; a maximum cross-sectional area at a surface of the at least one spinnerette of about 0.07 mm.sup.2 to 0.5 mm.sup.2 ; and the countersunk capillaries taper from the maximum cross-sectional area to the first cross-sectional area at an angle of about 20.degree. to 60.degree.. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The process according to claim 56, wherein the countersunk capillaries taper from the maximum cross-sectional area to the first cross-sectional area at an angle of about 35.degree. to 45.degree.. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The process according to claim 57, wherein the countersunk capillaries taper from the maximum cross-sectional area to the first cross-sectional area at an angle of about 45.degree.. ### Claim 59 (depends on 56) The process according to claim 56, wherein the countersunk capillaries have a total length of about 7-10 mm. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The process according to claim 59, wherein the countersunk capillaries have a maximum cross-sectional area of about 0.2 mm.sup.2. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The process according to claim 60 wherein the countersunk capillaries include a distance between the maximum cross-sectional area to the first cross-sectional area of about 0.15 to 0.4 mm.sup.2. ### Claim 62 (depends on 55) The process according to claim 55, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises counterbored, countersunk capillaries. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The process according to claim 62, wherein the counterbored, countersunk capillaries comprise an upper tapered portion having a diameter of about 0.6 mm and a length of about 0.5 mm; an upper capillary having a diameter of about 0.5 mm and a length of about 3.5 mm; a middle tapered portion having a length of about 0.1 mm; and a lower capillary having a diameter of about 0.35 mm and a length of about 1.5 mm. ### Claim 64 (depends on 55) The process according to claim 55, wherein the at least one spinnerette comprises counterbored capillaries. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The process according to claim 64, wherein the counterbored capillaries comprise an upper capillary having a diameter of about 0.5 mm and a length of about 4 mm; a middle tapered portion having a length of about 0.1 mm; and a lower capillary having a diameter of about 0.35 mm and a length of about 2 mm. ### Claim 66 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the heating comprises positioning at least one heated apertured plate upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The process according to claim 66, wherein the at least one heated apertured plate is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The process according to claim 67, wherein the at least one apertured plate is heated to a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 370.degree. C. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) The process according to claim 68, wherein the at least one apertured plate is heated to a temperature of about 280.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The process according to claim 69, wherein the at least one apertured plate is heated to a temperature of about 300.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. ### Claim 71 (depends on 66) The process according to claim 66, wherein the at least one apertured plate is positioned about 1 to 4 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) The process according to claim 71, wherein the at least one apertured plate is positioned about 2 to 3 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) The process according to claim 72, wherein the at least one apertured plate is positioned about 2.5 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 74 (depends on 66) The process according to claim 66, wherein the at least one apertured plate and the at least one spinnerette comprise a corresponding number of capillaries and pattern. ### Claim 75 (depends on 66) The process according to claim 66, wherein the at least one apertured plate and the at least one spinnerette comprise a different number of capillaries. ### Claim 76 (depends on 75) The process according to claim 75, wherein the at least one apertured plate and the at least one spinnerette comprise a different pattern. ### Claim 77 (depends on 74) The process according to claim 74, wherein capillaries in the an least one apertured plate comprise a cross-sectional area than is up to about 30% larger than a cross-sectional area of capillaries in the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 78 (depends on 77) The process according to claim 77, wherein the capillaries in the apertured plate comprise a cross-sectional area of about 0.03 mm.sup.2 to 0.3 mm.sup.2. ### Claim 79 (depends on 78) The process according to claim 78, wherein the capillaries in the apertured plate comprise a cross-sectional area of about 0.1 mm.sup.2. ### Claim 80 (depends on 74) The process according to claim 74, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise about 500 to 150,000 capillaries. ### Claim 81 (depends on 80) The process according to claim 80, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise about 30,000 to 120,000 capillaries. ### Claim 82 (depends on 81) The process according to claim 81, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise about 30,000 to 70,000 capillaries. ### Claim 83 (depends on 82) The process according to claim 82, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise about 30,000 to 45,000 capillaries. ### Claim 84 (depends on 74) The process according to claim 74, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate comprise capillaries having a cross-sectional area of about 0.03 mm.sup.2 to 0.3 mm.sup.2, and a length of about 1 to 5 mm. ### Claim 85 (depends on 84) The process according to claim 84, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise capillaries having a cross-sectional area of about 0.1 mm.sup.2. ### Claim 86 (depends on 85) The process according to claim 85, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate comprise capillaries having a length of about 1.5 mm. ### Claim 87 (depends on 75) The process according to claim 75, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise about 500 to 150,000 capillaries. ### Claim 88 (depends on 75) The process according to claim 75, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate comprise capillaries having a cross-sectional area of about 0.03 mm.sup.2 to 0.3 mm.sup.2, and a length of about 1 to 5 mm. ### Claim 89 (depends on 76) The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate each comprise about 500 to 150,000 capillaries. ### Claim 90 (depends on 76) The process according to claim 76, wherein the at least one spinnerette and the at least one apertured plate comprise capillaries having a cross-sectional area of about 0.03 mm.sup.2 to 0.3 mm.sup.2, and a length of about 1 to 5 mm. ### Claim 91 (depends on 37) The process according to claim 37, wherein the quenching comprises a radial quench. ### Claim 92 (depends on 91) The process according to claim 91, wherein the radial quench comprises an oxidative gas having a flow rate of about 3,000 to 12,000 ft/min. ### Claim 93 (depends on 92) The process according to claim 92, wherein the radial quench comprises an oxidative gas having a flow rate of about 4,000 to 9,000 ft/min. ### Claim 94 (depends on 93) The process according to claim 93, wherein the radial quench comprises an oxidative gas having a flow rate of about 5,000 to 7,000 ft/min. ### Claim 95 (depends on 37) The process according to claim 37, wherein the quenching comprises blowing an oxidative gas through at least one nozzle. ### Claim 96 (depends on 95) The process according to claim 95, wherein the at least one nozzle is adjustably directed at a central portion of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 97 (depends on 96) The process according to claim 96, wherein the at least one nozzle has an angle of about 0.degree. to 60.degree. with respect to a plane longitudinally passing through the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 98 (depends on 97) The process according to claim 97, wherein the angle is about 10.degree. to 60.degree.. ### Claim 99 (depends on 97) The process according to claim 97, wherein the angle is about 0.degree. to 45.degree.. ### Claim 100 (depends on 99) The process according to claim 99, wherein the angle is about 0.degree. to 25.degree.. ### Claim 101 (depends on 95) The process according to claim 95, wherein the oxidative gas has a flow rate of about 3,000 to 12,000 ft/min. ### Claim 102 (depends on 101) The process according to claim 101, wherein the oxidative gas has a flow rate of about 4,000 to 9,000 ft/min. ### Claim 103 (depends on 102) The process according to claim 102, wherein the oxidative gas has a flow rate of about 5,000 to 7,000 ft/min. ### Claim 104 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, herein the heating comprises at least one of heating with conduction, convection, induction, magnetic or radiation. ### Claim 105 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the heating comprises impedance or resistance heating. ### Claim 106 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the heating comprises inductance heating. ### Claim 107 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the heating comprises magnetic heating. ### Claim 108 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the spinning speed is about 80 to 100 meters per minute. ### Claim 109 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the polypropylene composition has a melt flow rate of about 0.5 to 40 dg/min. ### Claim 110 (depends on 109) The process according to claim 109, wherein the polypropylene composition has a melt flow rate of about 5-25 dg/min. ### Claim 111 (depends on 110) The process according to claim 110, wherein the polypropylene composition has a melt flow rate of about 10-20 dg/min. ### Claim 112 (depends on 111) The process according to claim 111, wherein the polypropylene composition has a melt flow rate of about 9-20 dg/min. ### Claim 113 (depends on 112) The process according to claim 112, wherein the polypropylene composition has a melt flow rate of about 9-15 dg/min. ### Claim 114 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the polypropylene composition has a broad molecular weight distribution. ### Claim 115 (depends on 114) The process according to claim 114, wherein the molecular weight distribution of the polypropylene composition is at least about 4.5. ### Claim 116 (depends on 115) The process according to claim 115, wherein the molecular weight distribution of the polypropylene composition is at least about 5.5. ### Claim 117 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the polypropylene composition comprises at least one polypropylene having a melt flow rate of about 0.5 to 30, and at least one polypropylene having a melt flow rate of about 60-1000. ### Claim 118 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the at least one spinnerette has a width of about 30-150 mm and a length of about 300 to 700 mm. ### Claim 119 (depends on 118) The process according to claim 118, wherein the at least one spinnerette has a width of about 40 mm and a length of about 450 mm. ### Claim 120 (depends on 118) The process according to claim 118, wherein the at least one spinnerette has a width of about 100 mm and a length of about 510 mm. ### Claim 121 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the at least one spinnerette has a diameter of about 100 to 600 mm. ### Claim 122 (depends on 121) The process according to claim 121, wherein the at least one spinnerette has a diameter of about 400 mm. ### Claim 123 (depends on 121) The process according to claim 121, wherein the quench comprises a radial quench. ### Claim 124 (depends on 30) The process according to claim 30, wherein the polypropylene composition includes at least one agent which lowers surface fusion temperature of polymer materials. ### Claim 125 (depends on 124) The process according to claim 124, wherein the at least one agent which lowers surface fusion temperature of polymer materials comprises at least one metal carboxylate. ### Claim 126 (depends on 125) The process according to claim 125, wherein the at least one metal carboxylate comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of nickel salts of 2-ethylhexanoic, caprylic, decanoic and dodecanoic acids, and 2-ethylhexanoates of Fe, Co, Ca and Ba. ### Claim 127 (depends on 126) The process according to claim 126, wherein the at least one metal carboxylate comprises nickel octoate. ### Claim 128 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin melt composition to at least one spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the at least one spinnerette, the polyolefin melt composition having a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C.; heating the polyolefin composition at a location at or adjacent to the at least one spinnerette so as to heat the polyolefin composition to a sufficient temperature to obtain a skin-core filament structure upon quenching in an oxidative atmosphere; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere so as to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 129 (depends on 128) The process according to claim 128, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 130 (depends on 129) The process according to claim 129, wherein the temperature of the polypropylene melt composition is about 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. ### Claim 131 (depends on 130) The process according to claim 130, wherein the temperature of the polypropylene melt composition is about 220.degree. C. to 260.degree. C. ### Claim 132 (depends on 131) The process according to claim 131, wherein the temperature of the polypropylene melt composition is about 230.degree. C. to 240.degree. C. ### Claim 133 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the at least one spinnerette; heating the polyolefin composition at a location at or adjacent to the at least one spinnerette so as to obtain sufficient heating of the polyolefin composition to partially degrade the polyolefin composition in a vicinity of the at least one spinnerette; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere so as to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 134 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the at least one spinnerette; heating the at least one spinnerette to a temperature of at least about 230.degree. C.; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere having a flow rate of about 3,000 to 12,000 ft/min to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 135 (depends on 134) The process according to claim 134, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 136 (depends on 135) The process according to claim 135, wherein the at least one spinnerette is substantially uniformly heated. ### Claim 137 (depends on 136) The process according to claim 136, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 138 (depends on 137) The process according to claim 137, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 370.degree. C. ### Claim 139 (depends on 138) The process according to claim 138, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 290.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. ### Claim 140 (depends on 139) The process according to claim 139, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 330.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. ### Claim 141 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the at least one spinnerette; heating at least one apertured element positioned upstream of the at least one spinnerette to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C.; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one apertured element and the at least one spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere having a flow rate of about 3,000 to 12,000 ft/min to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure. ### Claim 142 (depends on 141) The process according to claim 141, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 143 (depends on 142) The process according to claim 142, wherein the at least one apertured plate is heated to a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 370.degree. C. ### Claim 144 (depends on 143) The process according to claim 143, wherein the at least one apertured plate is heated to a temperature of about 280.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. ### Claim 145 (depends on 144) The process according to claim 144, wherein the at least one apertured plate is heated to a temperature of about 300.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. ### Claim 146 (depends on 142) The process according to claim 142, wherein the at least one apertured element is positioned about 1 to 4 mm upstream of the at least one spinnerette. ### Claim 147 A process for spinning polyolefin filaments, comprising: feeding a polyolefin composition to at least one spinnerette at a flow rate sufficient to obtain a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute through the at least one spinnerette; heating the polyolefin composition at a location at or adjacent to the at least one spinnerette so as to heat the polyolefin composition to a sufficient temperature to obtain a skin-core filament structure upon quenching in an oxidative atmosphere; extruding the polyolefin composition through the at least one spinnerette at a spinning speed of about 10 to 200 meters per minute to form molten filaments; and quenching the molten filaments in an oxidative atmosphere at a flow rate of about 3,000 to 12,000 ft/min so as to effect oxidative chain scission degradation of at least a surface of the molten filaments to obtain filaments having a skin-core structure capable of forming non-woven materials having a cross directional strength of at least 650 g/in for a 20 g/yd.sup.2 fabric bonded at speeds of at least 250 ft/min. ### Claim 148 (depends on 21) The process according to claim 21, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 149 (depends on 148) The process according to claim 148, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 370.degree. C. ### Claim 150 (depends on 149) The process according to claim 149, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 290.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. ### Claim 151 (depends on 150) The process according to claim 150, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of about 330.degree. C. to 360.degree. C. ### Claim 152 (depends on 148) The process according to claim 148, wherein the at least one spinnerette is heated to a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. ### Claim 153 (depends on 133) The process according to claim 133, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition. ### Claim 154 (depends on 147) The process according to claim 147, wherein the polyolefin composition comprises a polypropylene composition.