Process for Making a Monofilament-Like Product

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for making a monofilament-like product from a precursor containing at least one strand of a spun yarn made from polyolefin staple fibres, comprising the steps of a) exposing the precursor to a temperature within the melting point range of the polyolefin for a time sufficient to at least partly fuse adjacent fibres and b) simultaneously stretching the precursor at a draw ratio of at least 1.0. The invention further relates to a monofilament-like product obtainable by said process showing improved abrasion resistance, and to the use of said monofilament-like product for making various semi-finished and end-use products.

1 . Process for making a monofilament-like product from a precursor containing at least one strand of polyolefin fibres, comprising the steps of a) exposing the precursor to a temperature within the melting point range of the polyolefin for a time sufficient to at least partly fuse adjacent fibres and b) simultaneously stretching the precursor at a draw ratio of at least 1.0, characterised in that the strand is a spun yarn made from polyolefin staple fibres.  
   
   
       2 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the draw ratio is from 1.2 to 25.  
   
   
       3 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin is ultra- high molar mass polyethylene.  
   
   
       4 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the staple fibres have been obtained by stretch-breaking of a polyolefin multifilament yarn.  
   
   
       5 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein the precursor contains plied and twisted strands.  
   
   
       6 . Process according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step preceding step a) of pretreating the precursor in order to enhance inter fibre bonding.  
   
   
       7 . Process according to  claim 6 , wherein pretreating comprises applying an oil to the precursor.  
   
   
       8 . Process according to  claim 6 , wherein pretreating comprises applying a polyurethane composition to the precursor.  
   
   
       9 . Process according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of applying a coating composition to the product after steps a) and b).  
   
   
       10 . Monofilament-like product comprising an at least partly fused spun yarn made from polyolefin staple fibres, obtainable by the process according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . Use of the monofilament-like product according to  claim 10  for making various semi-finished and end-use products, like fishing-lines or cut-resistant articles.