Yarn

Abstract

A process for the production of a yarn is disclosed, the process comprising providing a bundle comprising continuous filaments of a thermoplastic polymer, contacting the bundle with a sliver comprising fibres of a heat resistant material to form a mixed bundle, and applying a gas jet to the mixed bundle to distribute the fibres of the heat resistant material in the bundle. Also disclosed are yarns comprising filaments of a thermoplastic polymer and fibres of a heat resistant material, wherein the fibres are distributed between and among the filaments. Preferably, the heat resistant material is a non-thermoplastic polymer, especially an aramid. Yarns according to the invention find use in technical fabrics especially transmission belts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A yarn comprising:
 filaments of a thermoplastic polymer in the range 33 to 2000 decitex; and   fibres of a heat resistant material having a length between 10 mm and 200 mm,   wherein the fibres of heat resistant material are substantially aligned with and distributed between and among the filaments of thermoplastic polymer and wherein the fibres of heat resistant material substantially align with and overlap one another.   
     
     
         2 . A fabric comprising yarn as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . A transmission belt comprising fabric as claimed in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A yarn as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heat resistant material is selected from glass, carbon or a non-thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         5 . A yarn as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the non-thermoplastic polymer is selected from aramid, polyamide-imide, polyimide-amide, liquid crystal polymer, PVA, P84, PBI or PTFE. 
     
     
         6 . A yarn as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a texturized thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . A yarn as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from polyamide, polyester, PBT, poly ether ether ketone, poly ether imide or polyolefin.