Polyether Amine-Modified Polyester for Low-Temperature Textile Dyeing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing dyeing processes for PET-based yarns are energy-intensive and costly, requiring high temperatures and pressures, and result in poor dye fixation and increased energy consumption when using cationic PET modifications, which attempt to reduce these costs but fail to provide economic benefits due to higher material costs and longer dyeing times.

Innovation Solution

A PET modified with polyether amine that allows dyeing at ambient pressure and low temperatures, comparable to standard PET dyeing times, by introducing polyether amine into the PET chain, either during polymerization or through a reactive extrusion process, facilitating improved dyeability and reducing energy consumption and material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If standard PET is dyed using conventional methods, then high temperature and pressure are required to achieve adequate dyeing, but this results in high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical structure of PET by introducing cationic groups (quaternary ammonium compounds) to change the dyeing parameters. This chemical modification allows the polymer to accept dye at lower temperatures (below 100°C) and ambient pressure, fundamentally changing the dyeing process parameters from high-temperature/pressure to low-temperature/ambient pressure conditions, thereby resolving the energy consumption issue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If cationic PET is used to enable low-temperature dyeing, then dyeing temperature can be reduced below 100°C, but dyeing time must be doubled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing temperatureVSAvoiddyeing time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the degree of substitution and type of cationic groups to achieve a balance where adequate dyeing occurs within reasonable time frames at lower temperatures, improving upon earlier cationic PET formulations that required excessively long dyeing times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If cationic PET is used to reduce dyeing temperature, then ambient pressure dyeing becomes possible, but the cost of material increases by 25-35%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing pressureVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention explores different cationic modifiers and their optimal concentrations to achieve the desired dyeing properties at the lowest possible material cost, balancing performance improvement with cost considerations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stress or pressure

If cationic PET is used to achieve low-temperature dyeing, then pressure requirements are reduced to ambient pressure, but dye fixation quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedyeing pressureVSAvoiddye fixation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention carefully selects and optimizes the type and amount of cationic groups to maintain adequate dye fixation and color fastness properties even under ambient pressure conditions, ensuring the modified PET meets quality requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified PET enables dyeing at temperatures below 100°C at ambient pressure, reducing energy consumption by 32% and lowering production costs, while maintaining productivity and improving dye fixation, thus offering a more efficient and cost-effective dyeing process compared to both standard and cationic PET methods.

Implementation Method 1

The modified PET enables dyeing at temperatures below 100°C at ambient pressure, reducing energy consumption by 32% and lowering production costs, while maintaining productivity and improving dye fixation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3914438B1Method for dyeing a textile article made of modified polyester
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 GOLDEN LEDI CO SPA
  • EP3914438B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3914438B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3914438B1 patent drawing

AI summary

There is described a method for dyeing a textile article comprising a terpolymer consisting of polyester functionalized with polyether amine, to obtain a thread with improved dyeability properties.