Lubricant compositions useful in the production of synthetic fibers

Abstract

Described herein are low add-on fiber lubricant compositions useful in the production of synthetic fibers. The compositions and methods described herein impart or enhance one or more properties of the fibers such as, for example, dry soil resistance, liquid repellency, or a combination thereof. Fibers produced with the lubricant compositions with the compositions described herein and articles comprising the treated fibers are also described herein. These compositions are composed of (a) a lubricant component, (b) a friction modifier, and (c) water.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising (a) a lubricant in the amount of 0.1% to 10% by weight of the composition, (b) a friction modifier in the amount of 0.05% to 10% by weight of the composition, and (c) water. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant component comprises, a mineral oil; a carboxylic acid ester or ether; a fatty alcohol ester or ether; a coconut oil fatty acid triglyceride or derivative thereof; a silicone; a sorbitan ester or ether; an alkyl polyglucoside; an alkoxylated alkylamine or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the friction modifier comprises a polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the friction modifier comprises a polyalkylene oxide. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the polyalkylene oxide polymer is a polyethylene oxide having an average molecular weight of 300,000 to 10,000,000 Daltons. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an antistatic agent. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the antistatic agent comprises an alcohol phosphate ether. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the antistatic agent is in an amount of 0.05% to 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is in an amount of 0.5% to 3% by weight of the composition, and the friction modifier is in the amount of 0.05% to 0.50% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a preservative, an antimicrobial agent, an antioxidant, a defoamer, an emulsifier, a softener, a wetting agent, a UV stabilizer, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant, a UV stabilizer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a homogeneous solution. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is an emulsion. 
     
     
         14 . A fiber comprising the composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of composition applied to the fiber is 0.05% to 0.50% on weight fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The fiber of  claim 14 , wherein the fiber comprises a monofilament polyester fiber, a multifilament polyester fiber, a polyamide fiber, a polyolefin fiber, a poly(benzimidazole) fiber, a carbon fiber, a glass yarn fiber, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A fiber produced by the process comprising applying the composition of  claim 1  to the fiber. 
     
     
         17 . An article comprising the fiber of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the fiber is in a rug, carpet, yarn, bedding, clothes, curtains, or a covering for an upholstered article. 
     
     
         19 . A method for imparting soil resistance, water repellency, or a combination thereof, to a fiber, comprising applying the composition of  claim 1  to the fiber.