Thermotropic liquid crystal polymer core-sheath

Abstract

According to a first aspect there is provided a yarn comprising one or more thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres blended with one or more further fibres, wherein only the further fibres are present in an outer layer of the yarn.

1 . A yarn ( 1 ) comprising one or more thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres ( 2 ) blended with one or more further fibres ( 3 ), wherein only the further fibres ( 3 ) are present in an outer layer ( 4 ) of the yarn ( 1 ). 
     
     
         2 . A yarn ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres ( 2 ) and the further fibres ( 3 ) are present within an inner part ( 5 ) of the yarn ( 1 ). 
     
     
         3 . A yarn ( 1 ) according to any of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the one or more further fibres ( 3 ) are capable of accepting a dye. 
     
     
         4 . A yarn ( 1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres ( 2 ) comprises monomer repeat units derived from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. 
     
     
         5 . A yarn ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres ( 2 ) comprises Vectran® or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A yarn ( 1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more further fibres ( 3 ) comprise any of
 i) cotton or a derivate thereof;   ii) polyester or a derivate thereof; and   iii) cotton or a derivate thereof and polyester or a derivate thereof.   
     
     
         7 . A method of producing a yarn, the method comprising blending one or more thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres with one or more further fibres such that only the further fibres are present in an outer layer of the yarn. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the one or more further fibres are capable of accepting a dye. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to any of  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres comprise monomer repeat units derived from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to any of  claims 7  to  9 , wherein the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibre comprises Vectran® or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to any of  claims 7  to  10 , wherein the one or more further fibres comprise any of
 cotton or a derivate thereof; 
 polyester or a derivate thereof; and 
 cotton or a derivate thereof and polyester or a derivate thereof. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method according to any of  claims 7  to  11 , and comprising:
 feeding the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres and the one or more further fibres into a spinning machine through an annular mould with only the further fibres being fed into an outer circumference of the annular mould; and 
 using the spinning machine to blend the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres and the one or more further fibres. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , and further comprising:
 gilling the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fibres and the one or more further fibres to form a dual-layered bundle of fibres in which only the further fibres are present in a first of the layers;   feeding the dual-layered bundle into the spinning machine through the annular mould with the first layer of fibres being fed into the outer circumference of the annular mould.   
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a textile material, the method comprising:
 manufacturing a yarn using the method according to any of  claims 7  to  13 ; and   weaving or knitting the yarn to form the textile material.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the yarn is woven or knitted with a further yarn. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to any of  claim 14  or  15 , and further comprising dying the textile material. 
     
     
         17 . A textile material obtained or obtainable by the method of any of  claims 14  to  16 . 
     
     
         18 . A textile material comprising a yarn obtained or obtainable by the method of any of  claims 7  to  13 . 
     
     
         19 . A textile material comprising a yarn according to any of  claims 1  to  6 .