Polyurethane Urea Elastic Yarn Dyeability via PEG Hydrophilicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyurethane fibers exhibit poor dyeability for acid dyes, with existing methods facing issues such as gelation, difficulty in controlling nitrogen atom introduction, and a trade-off between enhanced dyeability and reduced softness and elasticity.

Innovation Solution

A polyurethane urea elastic yarn is manufactured by reacting a first polyol, a second polyol (polyethylene glycol), diisocyanates, diamine chain extenders, and amine chain terminators, with polyethylene glycol mixed between 5.0 mol % to 20.0 mol % of the total polyol, resulting in enhanced hydrophilicity and improved dyeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If existing methods (introducing tertiary nitrogen atoms, adding salt of organic/inorganic acid and tertiary amine, using low molecular diamine as chain extender) are used to enhance dyeability, then dyeability for acid dye is improved, but gelation occurs readily, amount of nitrogen atom is difficult to control, or softness and elasticity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedyeabilityVSAvoidgelation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing specific nitrogen-containing functional groups (tertiary amine, quaternary ammonium, or amino groups) at controlled concentrations (0.1-5 mmol/g) into the polyurethane polymer chain through controlled reaction with diamine chain extenders and amine chain terminators, achieving improved dyeability while preventing gelation through precise parameter control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by introducing nitrogen-containing functional groups at specific locations within the polymer chain (both in the chain structure and at chain ends) rather than uniformly throughout, allowing dyeability enhancement at specific sites while maintaining overall polymer stability and preventing gelation in other regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If low molecular diamine is used as chain extender to enhance dyeability, then dyeability is improved, but softness and elasticity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedyeabilityVSAvoidsoftness and elasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the diamine chain extender, using high molecular weight diamines (500-5000 g/mol) instead of low molecular weight diamines, which maintains the nitrogen-containing functional groups needed for dyeability while preserving the softness and elasticity through longer polymer chains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining polyol, diisocyanate, high molecular weight diamine chain extender, and amine chain terminator in specific proportions, forming a polyurethane polymer with integrated nitrogen-containing functional groups that provide dyeability while the high molecular weight components maintain mechanical properties

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 yarn demonstrates superior dyeability for acid dyes, with deepened dye color in fabrics knitted with nylon, while maintaining the elastic properties and softness of the polyurethane urea elastic yarn.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing hydrophilicity of the polyurethane urea elastic yarn

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilicity: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 2

polyethylene glycol...enhancing hydrophilicity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 3

dyeability for an acid dye...superior dyeability for acid dyes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonic bonding: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentUS11629437B2Polyurethane urea elastic yarn having improved dyeability and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2023.04.18 HYOSUNG TNC CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polyurethane urea elastic yarn having improved dyeability and a manufacturing method therefor. Through a process of forming a prepolymer by mixing polyethyleneglycol with polyol and then adding diisocyanate to the same in a prepolymer manufacturing step during the manufacture of a polyurethane urea elastic yarn, the hydrophilicity of the polyurethane urea elastic yarn is improved such that the accessibility of an acid dye is enhanced, thereby enabling the dyeability of the polyurethane urea elastic yarn to be enhanced and an advantage of dye color deepening of a fabric, in which nylon and a polyurethane urea elastic yarn are knitted together, to be expected.