Polyetherimide Flame-Retardant Fiber Light Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyetherimide fibers exhibit light-induced deterioration in color and tenacity due to their molecular structure, and existing methods do not provide adequate light resistance, limiting their application in safety-critical areas such as outdoor construction and traffic management where flame retardancy and visibility are essential.
Innovation Solution
A flame-retardant fiber is developed by blending a polyetherimide polymer with a thermoplastic polymer having a lower glass transition temperature, combined with a functional additive that provides light resistance and colorability, resulting in a fiber with improved flame retardancy, light resistance, and colorability, suitable for safety-critical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyetherimide fiber is used for flame retardancy, then flame resistance is improved, but light resistance deteriorates due to molecular structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by blending polyetherimide polymer with thermoplastic polymer to create a fiber that combines flame retardancy with improved light resistance. The composite structure allows the polyetherimide to provide flame resistance while the thermoplastic component mitigates light-induced deterioration, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Reliability
If polyetherimide fiber is used for flame retardancy, then flame resistance is improved, but colorability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polyetherimide polymer with thermoplastic polymer, where the thermoplastic component enhances colorability while the polyetherimide maintains flame resistance. This composite approach allows the fiber to be both flame-retardant and easily colorable, resolving the contradiction between these properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoplastic polymer with lower glass transition temperature is blended, then light resistance and colorability are improved, but processing temperature range changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a thermoplastic polymer with a specific glass transition temperature lower than that of polyetherimide. This parameter adjustment allows the blend to have improved light resistance and colorability while maintaining a suitable processing temperature range for fiber production.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flame-retardant fiber having improved light resistance and/or colorability. The flame-retardant fiber is a fiber including a fiber-forming polymer. The fiber-forming polymer contains a polymer blend comprising a polyetherimide polymer (A) and a thermoplastic polymer (B) having a glass transition temperature lower than that of the polymer (A); and the fiber-forming polymer further contains a functional additive (C) that provides light resistance, colorability, or both of light resistance and colorability. The mass ratio (A)/(B) of the polymer (A) to the polymer (B) is from 50/50 to 90/10, and the content of the functional additive (C) is from 0.5 to 10% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the total mass (A+B+C) of the polymer (A), the thermoplastic polymer (B), and the functional additive (C).