Fibrillated blend of lyocell low dp pulp

Abstract

A fibrillated blend of lyocell and cellulosic pulp having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 1000 as measured by ASTM Test 1975-96, a method of making the blend and materials which incorporate the blend.

1 . A fibrillated blend of lyocell and cellulosic pulp having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 1000 as measured by ASTM Test 1975-96, wherein at least a portion of the lyocell fiber has a length of 3 to 12 mm. 
     
     
         2 . The blend of  claim 1  wherein the lyocell is from 25 to 75 weight percent of the blend. 
     
     
         3 . The blend of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the lyocell or the cellulosic pulp contains lignin. 
     
     
         4 . The blend of  claim 1  wherein the blend is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         5 . The blend of  claim 1  wherein the blend has been treated with an additive. 
     
     
         6 . The blend of  claim 5  wherein the additive is selected from surfactants, dispersants, nanoclay, carbon black, silica and lignin or lignin derivatives. 
     
     
         7 . A material comprising a fibrillated blend of lyocell and cellulosic pulp having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 1000 as measured by ASTM Test 1975-96, wherein at least a portion of the lyocell has a length of 3 to 12 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The material of  claim 7  wherein the lyocell is from 25 to 75 weight percent of the blend. 
     
     
         9 . The material of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the lyocell and the cellulosic pulp contains lignin. 
     
     
         10 . The material of  claim 7  wherein the blend is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         11 . The material of  claim 7  wherein the blend has been treated with an additive. 
     
     
         12 . The material of  claim 11  wherein the additive is selected from surfactants, dispersants, nanoclay, carbon black, silica and lignin or lignin derivatives. 
     
     
         13 . The material of  claim 7  further comprising polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose ether, polyurethane, polylactic acid, polystyrene-co-butyl acrylate, water soluble polymers, nonwoven, adhesives, water borne coatings or a starch based materials 
     
     
         14 . The material of  claim 7  further comprising thermoplastic or thermoset or gel materials. 
     
     
         15 . The material of  claim 7  further comprising elastomeric materials or rubber. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a fibrillated blend of lyocell and cellulosic pulp having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 1000 as measured by ASTM Test 1975-96, and wherein at least a portion of the lyocell has a length of 3 to 12 mm comprising
 providing cellulosic pulp having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 1000 as measured by ASTM Test 1975-96,   providing lyocell having a length of 3 to 12 mm,   placing the lyocell and the cellulosic pulp in an aqueous medium to provide an aqueous mixture,   mixing the aqueous mixture at an energy level of 0.5 to 500 kwh per ton of lyocell and cellulosic pulp for 20 to 240 minutes.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the mixing is at an energy level 0.5 to 100 kwh/ton of lyocell and cellulosic pulp. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the mixing is at an energy level 0.5 to 10 kwh/ton of lyocell and cellulosic pulp. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the lyocell and cellulosic pulp are 0.5 to 5 weight percent of the aqueous mixture. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the mixing is from 60 to 180 minutes.