Flash spinning polycyclopentene

Abstract

A process for flash spinning polycyclopentene that has a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 to 100,000 and an end of melting range of 250 to 330 ° C. in a spin agent of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkanes, 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkanes and alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons and all having atmospheric boiling points less than 150 ° C.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for the preparation of plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of synthetic fiber-forming polymer which comprises flash spinning at a pressure that is greater than the autogenous pressure of the spin fluid into a region of lower pressure, a spin fluid comprising 
 (a) 5 to 35 weight percent based on the weight of the spin fluid of synthetic fiber-forming polycyclopentene or copolymers thereof having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 and an end melting point between 260° C. and 330° C.    (b) a primary spin agent having an atmospheric boiling point less than 150° C. selected from the group consisting of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkanes, 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkanes and alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the plexifilamentary film-fibril strands have a tenacity of at least 1 gram per denier.  
     
     
         3 . A process for the preparation of foam fibers from synthetic fiber-forming polymer which comprises flash spinning at a pressure that is greater than the autogenous pressure of the spin fluid into a region of lower pressure, a spin fluid comprising 
 (a) 40 to 70 weight percent based on the weight of the spin fluid of fiber-forming polycyclopentene or copolymers thereof having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 and an end melting point between 250° C. and 330° C., and    (b) a primary spin agent having an atmospheric boiling point less than 150° C. selected from the group consisting of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkanes, 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkanes and alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons.    
     
     
         4 . A spin fluid comprising: 
 (a) 5 to 35 weight percent based on the weight of the spin fluid of synthetic fiber-forming polycyclopentene or copolymers thereof having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 and an end melting point between 260° C. and 330° C. and    (b) a primary spin agent having an atmospheric boiling point less than 150° C. selected from the group consisting of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkanes, 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkanes and alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons.    
     
     
         5 . A spin fluid comprising: 
 (a) 40 to 70 weight percent based on the weight of the spin fluid of synthetic fiber-forming polycyclopentene or copolymers thereof having a number average molecular weight of 10,0000 to 100,000 and an end melting point between 250° C. and 330° C. and    (b) a primary spin agent having an atmospheric boiling point less than 150° C. selected from the group consisting of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkanes, 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkanes and alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons.    
     
     
         6 . The process according to claims  1 - 5 , wherein the spin agent of 6 to 9 carbon cycloalkane is selected from the group consisting of cyclohexane, cycloheptane, and cyclooctane and the spin agent of 6 to 9 carbon alkyl-substituted cycloalkane is selected from the group consisting of methylcyclohexane, dimethylcyclohexane and trimethylcyclohexane and the spin agent of alkyl-substituted aromatic solvent is selected from the group consisting of xylene and toluene.  
     
     
         7 . The spin fluid of either of claims  1 - 5 , further comprising a co-spin agent for raising the cloud point pressure selected from the group consisting of hydrofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, perfluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorocarbons, and saturated hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         8 . Foam, comprising polycyclopentene or copolymers thereof having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 and an end melting point between 250° C. and 330° C.  
     
     
         9 . Pulp, comprising polycyclopentene or copolymers thereof having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 and an end melting point between 260° C. and 330° C.