Advancing Frontiers of Nylon and Dacron Polyester Fibers

Abstract

Several examples of what is believed to be typical of the principal direction of evolution of thermoplastic fibers are given—i.e., the development of special nylon and polyester fibers that, while retaining their basic fiber qualities, will be tailored for specific end-use applications. The preparation of these special fibers has been accom plished by making use of the thermoplastic nature of nylon and polyesters. By changing the manufacturing process, a nylon staple fiber has been developed that has a load- elongation curve similar to that of cotton; blends with cotton containing only 25% of this nylon showed an average improvement in fabric life of 70% over that of cotton alone. Another modification of nylon is designed specifically to give carpets a luxurious hand with soil and crush resistance, intrinsic durability, and freedom from fuzzing or pilling; this specially engineered fiber has a selected denier, roughly triangular cross section, and a curvilinear crimp. The use of a sewing thread of Dacron specially prepared so that it will elongate when ironed has greatly alleviated the problem of seam pucker in garments. Finally, a lightweight nylon tricot fabric with excellent covering power and handle can be obtained by Schreiner calendering 20-den. nylon tricot fabric and then finishing it by beck-working.