Process for producing yarn having reduced heatset shrinkage

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for producing yarn having reduced heatset shrinkage. Preferably, the fibers used in making the yarn are bicomponent fibers. The present invention also provides a process for producing yarn having reduced heatset shrinkage at reduced heat temperatures.

1 - 21 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         22 . A steam heatset carpet fiber having reduced heatset shrinkage comprising bicomponent fibers having distinct co-melt-spun cross-sectional domains comprising: 
 (a) a nylon 6 sheath domain that comprises from about 70 percent by weight to about 85 percent by weight of the fibers; and    (b) a core domain of a fiber-forming polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and copolymers thereof that comprises about 15 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of the fibers, pile    wherein the heatset shrinkage of the yarn of biocomponent fibers heatset at a temperature is about one third to about one half of the heatset shrinkage of a yarn formed of 100 percent nylon 6 fibers and steam heatset at said temperature.    
     
     
         23 . The fiber of  claim 22 , wherein the heatset shrinkage of the yarn of bicomponent fibers is between about 10 percent and about 15 percent.  
     
     
         24 . The fiber of  claim 22 , wherein the heatset shrinkage of the yarn of bicomponent fibers is between about 11 percent and about 14 percent.  
     
     
         25 . The fiber of claim  12 , wherein the bicomponent fibers are multi-lobal carpet fibers.  
     
     
         26 . The fibers of claim  15 , wherein the multi-lobal carpet fibers are trilobal.