Polyamide Yarn Moisture Regain via Polyetheramine Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing synthetic polyamide fibers and yarns lack sufficient hydrophilicity, making them less pleasing to the touch compared to natural fibers, and existing attempts to enhance moisture regain have been inefficient or complicated, particularly in the extrusion and spinning processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the reaction of polyamide with polyetheramine of molecular weight at least 1500 to create a modified polyamide with increased moisture regain, which is then processed into yarns using extrusion techniques, optionally with additives like chain extenders, to produce fibers with hydrophilic properties comparable to natural fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyether segments are incorporated in polyamides to increase moisture regain, then hydrophilicity is improved, but polymerization conditions require changes and extrusion/spinning problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture regainVSAvoidextrusion and spinning process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating polyetheramine into the polyamide polymerization process beforehand, creating a modified polyamide with improved hydrophilicity before the extrusion step. This preliminary modification allows the material to have better moisture regain properties while avoiding the need for post-processing treatments that could cause extrusion and spinning problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the polyamide through the incorporation of polyetheramine segments. This changes the molecular structure to include hydrophilic ether groups, thereby improving moisture regain capacity while maintaining processability during extrusion and spinning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If polyamide is reacted with polyetheramine to increase hydrophilicity, then moisture regain capacity is improved, but the production process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture regain capacityVSAvoidproduction process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the polyetheramine incorporation step with the existing polyamide polymerization process. Instead of adding separate modification steps, the polyetheramine is integrated into the polymerization reaction itself, thereby improving moisture regain capacity while minimizing increases in production process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional polyamides are used, then production cost is low and strength is high, but hydrophilicity and moisture regain are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehydrophilicityVSAvoidtouch quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a modified polyamide that combines the hydrophobic polyamide chains with hydrophilic polyetheramine segments. This composite molecular structure integrates the desirable properties of both components: the strength and processability of polyamide with the hydrophilicity and moisture regain capacity of polyetheramine, resulting in a material with improved touch quality comparable to natural fibers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting synthetic yarns exhibit a significantly higher moisture regain capacity, comparable to or exceeding that of natural fibers like cotton, while maintaining technical and mechanical characteristics suitable for various textile applications, including apparel and industrial uses.

Implementation Method 1

reacting polyamide and polyetheramine having a molecular weight of at least 1500 in the conditions disclosed in claim 1 to obtain a modified polyamide containing polyetheramine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

generating a yarn from a molten mass of said modified polyamide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Data Source

PatentEP3017096B1Method for producing a synthetic yarn with high moisture regain and yarn obtained
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 GOLDEN LEDI CO SPA
  • EP3017096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3017096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3017096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a method for producing a synthetic yarn based on polyamide with high moisture regain capacity, comprising the steps of: reacting polyamide and polyetheramine having a molecular weight of at least 1500 to obtain a modified pol- yamide containing polyetheramine to increase the moisture regain of the polyamide; and generating a yarn from a molten mass of the modified polyamide.