Polyamide-poly(phenylene ether) fiber, article, composition, and method

Abstract

A flame retardant polyamide fiber is prepared from a composition containing specific amounts of a polyamide, a poly(phenylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymer reaction product, a flame retardant that includes a metal dialkylphosphinate, and a compatibilizing agent. The composition used to form the fiber can be prepared in a process that includes melt blending a portion of the polyamide with all the other ingredients to form an intermediate composition, and then melt blending the intermediate composition with the remainder of the polyamide. The composition has small disperse phase particles that facilitate its use to melt spin fibers.

Description

Background technique [0001] Nylon fibers, including those made from nylons known as polyamide-6 and polyamide-6,6, are used in a wide variety of applications such as carpet, rope, clothing, parachutes, and automobile tires. However, for some applications, especially industrial applications such as industrial carpets and heat resistant protective clothing, there is a need for nylon fibers that exhibit enhanced flame retardancy. Also, while it is known to add flame retardant additives to nylon compositions, such additives may be poorly dispersed in nylon as particles large enough to interfere with spinning fine fibers. There remains a need for flame retardant nylon compositions suitable for forming fibers of varying thicknesses, including fine fibers. Contents of the invention [0002] One embodiment is a fiber comprising a composition comprising melt blending: 58 to 93.9 weight percent of a polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamide-6, polyamide-6,6, and combi...

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