Method to Improve Release Characteristics of Elastic Polyolefin Fibers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of die buildup associated with the production of polyolefin based elastic fiber and for improving the unwind or release characteristics of such fiber. In particular the method involves the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMSO) in the polyolefin resin.

1 . In a method for the production of elastic polyolefin-based fibers wherein a polyolefin-based material is extruded and melt spun into a fiber, the improvement comprising incorporating an amount of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMSO) into the polyolefin-based material.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polyolefin-based material comprises an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer produced using a Metallocene catalyst.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the alpha olefin is octene.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the polyolefin-based material has a density in the range of 0.8 to 0.89 g/cc and a melt index in the range of 0.5 to 10 dg/min.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the PDMSO has an average molecular weight of approximately 2 million.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the PDMSO is added in an amount such that the PDMSO comprises from 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight of the fiber.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the PDMSO is added in an amount such that the PDMSO comprises 0.5 to 1 percent by weight of the fiber.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the PDMSO is added via a masterbatch.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising an additional step of adding a lubricating oil to the formed fiber via a spin finish.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  characterized in that the method results in a releasability factor which is at least 20 percent less than a similar fiber without PDMSO.  
     
     
         11 . A fiber package having a releasability factor less than 50 percent.