Monofilament yarn for a paper machine clothing fabric

Abstract

A paper machine clothing (PMC) fabric includes a plurality of monofilament yarns, at least some of the monofilament yarns having a composition formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PET monofilament yarns have an abrasion resistance of greater than 6,000 cycles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paper machine clothing (PMC) fabric including a plurality of monofilament yarns, at least some of said monofilament yarns having a composition comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), said PET monofilament yarns having an abrasion resistance of greater than 6,000. 
     
     
         2 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein said PET monofilament yarns have a maximum shrink force temperature equal to or less than 310° F. 
     
     
         3 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive to improve at least one of a chemical stability, a hydrolytic stability and a heat stability of said PET monofilament yarns. 
     
     
         4 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein said PET monofilament yarns have a diameter between approximately 0.05 and 1.00 millimeters (mm). 
     
     
         5 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 4 , wherein said diameter between 0.10 and 0.70 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the PMC fabric is one of a woven fabric and a spiral fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein said PET monofilament yarns are processed in at least one relaxation oven at a temperature less than approximately 320° F. 
     
     
         8 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 7 , wherein said temperature is less than approximately 290° F. 
     
     
         9 . The PMC fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein said temperature is less than approximately 250° F. 
     
     
         10 . A paper machine clothing (PMC) fabric yarn for use in a PMC fabric, said PMC fabric yarn having a composition comprised of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), said PET fabric yarn having an abrasion resistance of greater than 6,000 cycles. 
     
     
         11 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 10 , wherein said PMC fabric yarn has a maximum shrink force temperature equal to or less than 310° F. 
     
     
         12 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one additive to improve at least one of a chemical stability, a hydrolytic stability and a heat stability of said PMC fabric yarn. 
     
     
         13 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 10 , the yarn having a diameter between approximately 0.05 and 1.00 millimeters (mm). 
     
     
         14 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 13 , wherein the yarn has a diameter between 0.10 and 0.70 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 10 , wherein said PMC fabric yarn is processed in at least one relaxation oven at a temperature less than approximately 320° F. 
     
     
         16 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 15 , wherein said temperature is less than approximately 290° F. 
     
     
         17 . The PMC fabric yarn according to  claim 16 , wherein said temperature is less than approximately 250° F. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a paper machine clothing (PMC) fabric yarn for use in a PMC fabric, said method comprising the steps of:
 melting polyethylene terephthalate (PET);   spinning the PET into a filament; and   drawing the filament into a monofilament PMC fabric yarn having an abrasion resistance of greater than 6,000 cycles.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the monofilament of said drawing step has a maximum shrink force temperature of equal to or less than approximately 310° F. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said drawing step further includes the step of processing the monofilament in at least one relaxation oven at a temperature less than approximately 320° F.