Yarn and fabric having improved abrasion resistance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a yarn having improved abrasion resistance and a fabric made from that yarn, as well as process for preparing the yarn and fabric. The yarn includes (a) aramid fibers and (b) up to 40 weight percent of fibers of synthetic polymers having a melting point between 200 and 300 degrees C., based upon the total weight of (a) and (b) only, the yarn or fabric including the yarn being heat treated at a temperature below the melting point of the fibers of component (b).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A yarn having improved abrasion resistance comprising (a) aramid fibers and (b) up to 40 weight percent of fibers of synthetic polymers having a melting point between 200 and 300 degrees C., based on the relative amounts of components (a) and (b) only, said yarn having been heat treated at a temperature below the melting point of the fibers of component (b).  
     
     
         2 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (a) are fibers of para-aramid.  
     
     
         3 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (a) are fibers of p-phenylene terephthalamide.  
     
     
         4 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are fibers of nylon, polyester, or blends thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are present in an amount of from 5 to 30 weight percent based upon the total weight of the fibers of components (a) and (b) only.  
     
     
         6 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are present in an amount of from 10 to 25 weight percent based upon the total weight of the fibers of components (a) and (b) only.  
     
     
         7 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers are staple fibers having lengths from 2.5 to 15 centimeters.  
     
     
         8 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are fibers of nylon and the yarn is heat treated at a temperature up to about 250 degrees C.  
     
     
         9 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are fibers of polyester and the yarn is heat treated at a temperature up to about 250 degrees C.  
     
     
         10 . The yarn of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn is heat treated for an amount of time up to about 20 minutes.  
     
     
         11 . A fabric having improved abrasion resistance comprising (a) aramid fibers and (b) up to 40 weight percent of fibers of synthetic polymers having a melting point between 200 and 300 degrees C., based on the relative amounts of components (a) and (b) only, said fabric having been heat treated at a temperature below the melting point of the fibers of component (b).  
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (a) are fibers of para-aramid.  
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (a) are fibers of p-phenylene terephthalamide.  
     
     
         14 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are fibers of nylon, polyester, or blends thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are present in an amount of from 5 to 30 weight percent based upon the total weight of the fibers of components (a) and (b) only.  
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are present in an amount of from 10 to 25 weight percent based upon the total weight of the fibers of components (a) and (b) only.  
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers are staple fibers having lengths from 2.5 to 15 centimeters.  
     
     
         18 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are fibers of nylon and the fabric is heat treated at a temperature up to about 250 degrees C.  
     
     
         19 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fibers of component (b) are fibers of polyester and the fabric is heat treated at a temperature up to about 250 degrees C.  
     
     
         20 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the yarn is heat treated for an amount of time up to about 20 minutes.  
     
     
         21 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric is woven.  
     
     
         22 . The fabric of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric is knitted.  
     
     
         23 . An article made from the yarn of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         24 . An article made from the fabric of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         25 . A process for preparing an abrasion-resistant yarn comprising the steps of 
 providing a yarn comprising (a) aramid fibers and (b) up to 40 weight percent of fibers of synthetic polymers having a melting point between 200 and 300 degrees C., based on the relative amounts of components (a) and (b) only, and    heat treating the yarn at a temperature below the melting point of the fibers of component (b).    
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of heat treating the yarn for 20 minutes or less.  
     
     
         27 . A process for preparing an abrasion-resistant fabric comprising the steps of 
 providing a fabric comprising (a) aramid fibers and (b) up to 40 weight percent of fibers of synthetic polymers having a melting point between 200 and 300 degrees C., based on the relative amounts of components (a) and (b) only, and    heat treating the fabric at a temperature below the melting point of the fibers of component (b).    
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 27 , further comprising the steps of heat treating the fabric for 20 minutes or less.