Dyeable fabric comprising melt-spun thermoplastic polyurethane fibers

Abstract

The invention relates to a melt-spun thermoplastic polyurethane fiber which comprises a copolymer diol derived from caprolactone and polyether polyol and fabrics made therefrom, both of which are capable of being dyed under disperse dyeing conditions.

1 .- 14 . (vanceled) 
     
     
         15 . A process for preparing a dispersed dyed fabric, comprising the steps of:
 (1) providing a fabric comprising (a) a first fiber component is a thermoplastic hard yarn having 10% to 75% ultimate elongation measured according to ASTM D2256 and (b) a second fiber component comprising a melt-spun thermoplastic polyurethane fiber having at least 300% ultimate elongation measured according to ASTM D2731;   (2) dyeing the fabric at a temperature of at least 130° C. using disperse dyeing conditions.   
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the melt-spun thermoplastic polyurethane fiber exhibits hysteresis after 5th load and un-load cycle of
 (a) at 100% elongation has hysteresis of less than 30%   (b) at 150% elongation has hysteresis of less than 30%   (c) at 200% elongation has hysteresis of less than 30%   
       wherein hysteresis is measured according to per ASTM D2731. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the second fiber component is a melt-spun thermoplastic fiber comprising the reaction product of a polyol component, wherein the polyol component comprises a co-polymer diol derived from caprolactone monomer and poly(tetramethylene ether glycol); a hydroxyl terminated chain extender component; and a first diisocyanate component; and an isocyanate functional prepolymer cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the co-polymer diol comprises the reaction product of 50% by weight caprolactone monomer polyol and 50% by weight poly(tetramethylene ether glycol). 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the melt-spun thermoplastic polyurethane fiber has a weight average molecular weight measured by gas permeation chromatography of 300,000 to 450,000. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the first diisocyanate component comprises an aromatic diisocyanate. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the first diisocyanate component comprises er consists of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the isocyanate functional prepolymer crosslinking agent comprises or consists of the reaction product of a poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) and a second diisocyanate component. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the isocyanate functional prepolymer crosslinking agent comprises or consists of the reaction product of neopentyl glycol adipate and a second diisocyanate component. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 22 , wherein the second diisocyanate component comprises an aromatic diisocyanate. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 24 , wherein the second diisocyanate component comprises or consists of 4,4′-methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate). 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 22 , wherein the second diisocyanate component comprises an aliphatic diisocyanate. 
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 26 , wherein the second diisocyanate component comprises or consists of dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 15 , wherein the first fiber is selected from polyester fiber, nylon fiber, cotton fiber, wool fiber, acrylic fiber, polypropylene fiber, viscose-rayon fiber, or mixtures thereof.