Photochromic Thermal Insulation Fiber via Core-Sheath Spinning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photochromic fibers lack thermal insulation function, making them unsuitable for outdoor clothing applications.
Innovation Solution
A photochromic thermal insulation fiber is developed using a core-sheath melt spinning process, where the core layer contains a photochromic dye for ultraviolet light absorption and the sheath layer contains a near-infrared reflecting dye, along with titanium dioxide and an ultraviolet absorber, for thermal insulation and ultraviolet protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a photochromic fiber is produced using existing manufacturing methods, then the fiber can change color under ultraviolet light, but the fiber lacks thermal insulation function and is unsuitable for outdoor clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines photochromic dye and near-infrared reflecting dye into a single dual-functional masterbatch formulation. This merging of two separate dyeing processes into one simultaneous process achieves both color-changing and thermal insulation functions while simplifying the manufacturing workflow and reducing production steps
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: photochromic color change, ultraviolet protection, and thermal insulation through near-infrared reflection. This multi-functionality is achieved by incorporating both types of dyes into the fiber structure, allowing a single product to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate functional layers
2Reliability
If photochromic dye and near-infrared reflecting dye are uniformly mixed in masterbatch preparation, then both ultraviolet-chromic and thermal insulation functions are achieved, but the manufacturing process requires multiple powder processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mixing and dispersion of both photochromic and near-infrared reflecting dyes with polypropylene powder before fiber spinning. This preliminary action ensures uniform distribution of both dye types in the masterbatch, guaranteeing consistent dual functionality in the final fiber while streamlining the overall manufacturing process
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a manufacturing method of a photochromic thermal insulation fiber, which includes preparing a photochromic masterbatch by including mixing 5 parts by weight of a photochromic dye and 95 parts by weight of polypropylene, preparing a near-infrared reflecting masterbatch by including mixing 15 parts by weight of a near-infrared reflecting dye and 85 parts by weight of nylon, preparing a first mixture by including mixing 10 parts by weight of the photochromic masterbatch and 75 parts by weight to 115 parts by weight of polypropylene, preparing a second mixture by including mixing 10 parts by weight of the near-infrared reflecting masterbatch and 65 parts by weight to 140 parts by weight of nylon, and performing a core-sheath melt spinning process with the first mixture and the second mixture to form a core layer and a sheath layer of the photochromic thermal insulation fiber.