Process for producing zeolite-coated glass fibers and fibrous structure produced by the same

Abstract

The invention provides: a process for producing zeolite-coated glass fibers in which a silicon compound and an aluminum compound can be simultaneously imparted to glass fibers through one immersion treatment to conduct a zeolite-yielding reaction; and a fibrous structure produced by the process. The process for producing zeolite-coated glass fibers of the invention comprises treating glass fibers with an aqueous solution which contains a silicon compound, an aluminum compound, and sodium hydroxide each dissolved therein, the total amount (Y) of the silicon compound and the aluminum compound in terms of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide, respectively, being 0.0703-1.6403% by mass and the sodium hydroxide concentration (X) in the aqueous solution being 4-15% by mass, the relationship between the total amount (Y) in terms of the sum of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide and the sodium hydroxide concentration (X) being represented by the following expression (I). Y ≦0.1427 X −0.5006  (I)

1 . A process for producing zeolite-coated glass fibers, which comprises treating glass fibers with an aqueous solution which contains a silicon compound, an aluminum compound, and sodium hydroxide each dissolved therein, the total amount (Y) of the silicon compound and the aluminum compound in terms of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide, respectively, being 0.0703-1.6403% by mass and the sodium hydroxide concentration (X) in the aqueous solution being 4-15% by mass, the relationship between the total amount (Y) in terms of the sum of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide and the sodium hydroxide concentration (X) being represented by the following expression (I). 
         Y≦ 0.1427 X− 0.5006  (I) 
   
   
       2 . The process for producing zeolite-coated glass fibers according to  claim 1 , which comprises immersing glass fibers in the aqueous solution and then heating the glass fibers with moistening to react the silicon compound with the aluminum compound on the surface of the glass fibers and thereby yield zeolite crystals.  
   
   
       3 . The process for producing zeolite-coated glass fibers according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the silicon compound is sodium silicate and the aluminum compound is sodium aluminate.  
   
   
       4 . A fibrous structure made of zeolite-coated glass fibers produced by the process according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , the fibrous structure being a cottony product, a yarn, a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric.