Solvent-Spun Cellulosic Fiber Blends for Reduced Fibrillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blends of high wet modulus cellulosic fibers and solvent-spun cellulosic fibers face issues such as fibrillation, poor pilling performance, uneven dyeability, and decreased properties in knit applications, particularly during wet processing steps like dyeing, leading to creasing and friction marks, and increased dye uptake, which hinder market success.

Innovation Solution

A blend of high wet modulus cellulosic fibers with non-fibrillating solvent-spun cellulosic fibers having an NSF value of more than 200, cross-linked with alkali-resistant agents, which maintains high tenacity and abrasion resistance while improving pilling performance and dyeability, especially when mixed with cotton or synthetic fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If solvent-spun cellulosic fibers are added to high wet modulus cellulosic fibers to improve yarn tenacity and reduce wash shrinking, then fiber blend tenacity improves, but fibrillation occurs during wet processing leading to creasing and friction marks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn tenacityVSAvoidfibrillation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful fibrillation property is extracted from the solvent-spun cellulosic fibers through selective removal or modification of the fibrillating components, allowing the beneficial tenacity to be retained while eliminating the adverse surface friction and creasing effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of solvent-spun cellulosic fibers are modified by changing physical or chemical parameters such as surface smoothness, fiber diameter distribution, or chemical composition to reduce fibrillation tendency while maintaining high tenacity characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If solvent-spun cellulosic fibers are blended with high wet modulus cellulosic fibers to enhance wear comfort, then humidity management improves, but pilling performance deteriorates in knit applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear comfortVSAvoidpilling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A composite fiber structure is created by combining solvent-spun cellulosic fibers with high wet modulus cellulosic fibers in a controlled manner, where the composite maintains the humidity management benefits while the high wet modulus component provides structural stability to prevent pilling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fabric or different fiber components are given different properties: the solvent-spun fibers provide humidity management in specific zones while the high wet modulus fibers provide anti-pilling structural support in load-bearing areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If solvent-spun cellulosic fibers are added to improve fabric properties, then dyeability should improve, but uneven dye uptake and increased dye consumption occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedyeabilityVSAvoiddye uptake
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical parameters of solvent-spun cellulosic fibers are adjusted to match the dye affinity and uptake characteristics of high wet modulus cellulosic fibers, ensuring uniform dye distribution and reducing overall dye consumption while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If knit products are made from blends of high wet modulus and solvent-spun cellulosic fibers, then fabric softness improves, but severe creasing and friction marks appear during wet processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric softnessVSAvoidcreasing and friction marks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fibrillation-causing surface characteristics are extracted or removed from the solvent-spun cellulosic fibers through physical or chemical treatment, allowing the fibers to maintain softness while eliminating the creasing and friction mark formation during wet processing of knit products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 blend exhibits improved pilling performance, even dyeing results, and enhanced wear comfort, maintaining high tenacity and abrasion resistance, suitable for lightweight, easy-care clothing, and reduces fibrillation and wash shrinkage, making it suitable for summer or tropical clothing.

Implementation Method 1

cross-linked with alkali-resistant agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2235240B1Fibre blends, yarns and fabrics made thereof
Publication Date: 2012.02.08 LENZING AG
  • EP2235240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2235240B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to blends of high wet modulus cellulosic fibres and crosslinked solvent spun cellulosic fibres and yarns and fabrics made thereof.