U.S. patent application number 10/507231 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for stretch fabric with improved chemical resistance and durability.
Invention is credited to Batistini, Antonio, Bensason, Selim, Ho, Thoi H., Patel, Rajen M., Reid, Rona L..
Application Number | 20050164577 10/507231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28041731 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050164577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reid, Rona L. ; et
al. |
July 28, 2005 |
Stretch fabric with improved chemical resistance and durability
Abstract
Durable stretch fabrics are made and processed from one or more
inelastic and one or more elastic fibers, for example, a
substantially linear, homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The
fabrics can be made by any process, such as, weaving, knitting,
etc., and from any combination of crosslinked, heat-resistant
olefin elastic and inelastic ("hard") fibers, for example, cotton
and wool. These fabrics exhibit excellent chemical, resistance (for
example chlorine or caustic resistance) and durability, that is
they retain their shape and feel ("hand") over repeated exposure to
processing conditions, such as stone-washing, dye-stripping,
PET-dyeing and the like, and service conditions, such as washing,
drying, etc.
Inventors: |
Reid, Rona L.; (Houston,
TX) ; Ho, Thoi H.; (Lake Jackson, TX) ;
Bensason, Selim; (Houston, TX) ; Patel, Rajen M.;
(Lake Jackson, TX) ; Batistini, Antonio;
(Adliswil, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECTION
P. O. BOX 1967
MIDLAND
MI
48641-1967
US
|
Family ID: |
28041731 |
Appl. No.: |
10/507231 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 11, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US03/07592 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60363127 |
Mar 11, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
442/164 ; 8/125;
8/142; 8/537 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 21/16 20130101;
D06M 13/08 20130101; D06M 11/40 20130101; Y10T 442/2861 20150401;
D06M 11/30 20130101; G01N 33/36 20130101; D06M 11/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
442/164 ;
008/125; 008/537; 008/142 |
International
Class: |
D06M 011/00; B32B
027/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A durable elastic article capable of surviving treatment wherein
the treatment is selected from the group consisting of: a) exposure
to a 10% by weight sodium hypochlorite solution for a period of at
least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; b)
exposure to a 5% by weight permanganate solution for a period of at
least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; c) 50
cycles of industrial laundering at temperatures at least about
65.degree. C.; d) 20 cycles of drycleaning with perchloroethylene;
or e) mercerization; wherein surviving means that after treatment
the fabric exhibits growth of less than 20% as determined according
to ASTM D3107.
2. The article of claim 1 wherein the growth is less than 10%.
3. The article of claim 1 wherein the growth is less than 8%.
4. The article of claim 3 which is further capable of surviving two
or more of the treatments.
5. The article of claim 3 wherein the article is stone washed.
6. The article of claim 1 wherein the article comprises fiber
comprising crosslinked homogeneously branched ethylene polymer.
7. The article of claim 1 wherein the article is a fabric.
8. The fabric of claim 7 in which the fabric is woven or
knitted.
9. A garment made from the fabric of claim 7.
10. The garment of claim 9 wherein the garment is swimwear.
11. A treated garment made from elastic fabric wherein the
treatment is selected from the group consisting of: a) exposure to
a 10% by weight sodium hypochlorite solution for a period of at
least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; b)
exposure to a 5% by weight permanganate solution for a period of at
least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; c) 50
cycles of industrial laundering at temperatures at least about
65.degree. C.; d) 20 cycles of drycleaning with perchloroethylene;
and e) mercerization; wherein the garment exhibits growth of no
more than about 20% as determined according to ASTM D3107.
12. The garment of claim 11 wherein the treatment was done to the
fiber prior to making the fabric.
13. The garment of claim 11 wherein the treatment was done to the
fabric prior to assembling the garment.
14. The garment of claim 11 wherein the treatment was done to the
fabricated garment.
15. The garment of claim 11 wherein the treatment included two or
more elements of the group.
16. The garment of claim 11 wherein the garment is swimwear.
17. The garment of claim 11 wherein the fabric is denim.
18. The garment of claim 11 wherein the garment is a uniform.
19. The garment of claim 18 wherein the uniform is a rental
uniform.
20. The garment of claim 11 wherein the garment is made from fabric
comprising fibers made from homogeneously branched ethylene
polymer.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to stretch fabrics. In one
aspect, the invention relates to stretch fabrics comprising
synthetic and natural fibers while in another aspect, the invention
relates to such fabrics comprising crosslinked, heat-resistant
elastic fibers capable of withstanding dyeing and heat-setting
processes. The crosslinked, heat-resistant elastic fibers are
useful in various durable or repeated-use fabric applications such
as, but not limited to, clothing, undergarments, sports apparel and
upholstery. The crosslinked, heat-resistant elastic fibers can be
conveniently formed into fabrics using well-known techniques such
as, for example, by using co-knitting techniques with cotton,
nylon, and/or polyester fibers.
[0002] A material is typically characterized as elastic if it has a
high percent elastic recovery (that is, a low percent permanent
set) after application of a biasing force. Ideally, elastic
materials are characterized by a combination of three important
properties, i.e., (i) a low percent permanent set, (ii) a low
stress or load at strain, and (iii) a low percent stress or load
relaxation. In other words, there should be (i) a low stress or
load requirement to stretch the material, (ii) no or low relaxing
of the stress or unloading once the material is stretched, and
(iii) complete or high recovery to original dimensions after the
stretching, biasing or straining is discontinued.
[0003] To be used in the durable fabrics, the fibers making up the
fabric have to be, inter alia, stable during dyeing and heat
setting processes. For an elastic polyolefin fiber to be stable
under dyeing and heat-setting conditions, it must be crosslinked.
These fibers can be crosslinked by one or more of a number of
different methods, e.g., e-beam or UV irradiation, silane or azide
treatment, peroxide, etc., some methods better than others for
fibers of a particular composition. For example, polyolefin fibers
that are irradiated under an inert atmosphere (as opposed to
irradiated under air) tend to be highly stable during dyeing
processes (that is, the fibers do not melt or fuse together). The
addition of a mixture of hindered phenol and hindered amine
stabilizers further stabilized such fibers at heat setting
conditions (200-2100 C).
[0004] Lycra.RTM., a segmented polyurethane elastic material
manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours Company, is currently used
in various durable stretch fabrics. Lycra, however, is not stable
at the typical high heat-setting temperatures (200-210.degree. C.)
used for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber. Moreover, and
similar to ordinary uncrosslinked polyolefin-based elastic
materials, Lycra fabrics tend to lose their integrity, shape and
elastic properties when subjected to elevated service temperatures
such as those encountered in washing, drying and ironing. As such,
Lycra can not be easily used in co-knitting applications with high
temperature fibers such as polyester fibers.
[0005] It has been discovered that elastic fabrics can be formed
which are capable of surviving treatment that other elastic fabrics
do not survive. Particualrly the fabrics of the present invention
can survive one or more of the following treatments: a) exposure to
a 10% by weight sodium hypochlorite solution for a period of at
least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; b)
exposure to a 5% by weight permanganate solution for a period of at
least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; c) 50
cycles of industrial laundering at temperatures of at least
65.degree. C. d) 20 cycles of drycleaning with perchloroethylene
using AATCC test method 158; or e) mercerization under caustic
conditions (28-33 Baum or about 20% NaOH or more) at temperatures
of at least about 60.degree. C. for 60 seconds or longer; wherein
"surviving" means that the fabric after treatment exhibits growth
of less than about 20%, preferably less than about 10%, and more
preferably less than about 8%.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] The FIG. 1 is a photograph of four heavy weight, denim
fabric samples comprising fiber made from AFFINITY
ethylene/1-octene copolymer. Each sample was subjected to a
different stone wash protocol, i.e., the first (or top) sample to a
vintage wash, the second to an antique wash, the third to a
destructive wash, and the fourth (or bottom) sample to a bleach-out
wash. The stretch properties of each sample after the washing
protocol were essentially the same as the stretch properties before
the washing protocol. The dark blue patch on top of the first or
top sample is the color of each sample before it was stone
washed.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image of a
Speedo swimsuit after a five-month wear test. The suit is of a
tricot warp knit structure made with a chlorine-resistant Lycra.TM.
fiber.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an SEM image of the swimsuit of FIG. 2 showing the
loop structure under enhanced magnification.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a SEM image of a Speedo swimsuit after a
four-month wear test. The suit is of a weft knit single jersey
structure made with a crosslinked AFFINITY ethylene/1-octene
copolymer fiber.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an SEM image of the swimsuit of FIG. 4 showing the
loop structure under enhanced magnification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] One aspect this invention is an elastic article such as
fabric or an assembled garment that comprises a heat-resistant,
crosslinked elastic fiber and an inelastic fiber, which article is
capable of surviving harsh treatment. In one embodiment, the
article is a durable stretch fabric made and processed from one or
more crosslinked, heat-resistant olefin elastic fibers. The fabrics
can be made by any process, e.g., weaving, knitting, etc., and from
any combination of elastic and inelastic ("hard") fibers. These
fabrics exhibit excellent chemical, e.g., chlorine, resistance and
durability, e.g., they retain their shape and feel ("hand") over
repeated exposure to service conditions, e.g., washing, drying,
etc. For example, in one embodiment the article (for example fabric
or an assembled garment) has a change in elasticity not in excess
of about 10% and/or retains no more than about 50% of its growth
more preferably no more than about 20% of its growth, more
preferably no more than about 10% of its growth and most preferably
no more than about 8% of its growth after exposure to a 5% by
weight permanganate solution for a period of at least 90 minutes at
a temperature of at least 140.degree. F. In another embodiment, tne
article jaiis at least about 10% of its elasticity and/or no more
than 50% of its growth, more preferably no more than 20% of its
growth, most preferably no more than about 10% of its growth after
exposure to a 10% by weight hypochlorite solution for a period of
at least 90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F. In
yet another embodiment, the article survives a treatment of 50
cycles of industrial laundering at temperatures of at least
65.degree. C. In still another embodiment the article survives 20
cycles of drycleaning with perchloroethylene using AATCC test
method 158. In yet another embodiment, the article survives)
mercerization under caustic conditions (28-33 Baum or about 20%
NaOH or more) at temperatures of at least about 60.degree. C. for
60 seconds or longer. Preferably the article can survive a
combination of two or more of the treatments. It is also preferred
that the article be able to survive stone washing in combination
with one or more of these treatments.
[0012] The elastic fibers are preferably crosslinked,
heat-resistant olefin elastic fibers. Such fibers include ethylene
polymers, propylene polymers and fully hydrogenated styrene block
copolymers (also known as catalytically modified polymers). The
ethylene polymers include the homogeneously branched and the
substantially linear homogeneously branched ethylene polymers as
well as ethylene-styrene interpolymers. The other fibers of the
fabric can vary widely, and they include virtually all know natural
and synthetic fibers, particularly inelastic fibers. Typical of
these other fibers are cotton, wool, silk, nylon, polyester, and
the like. Usually the crosslinked, heat-resistant olefin elastic
fibers comprise a minority of the fabric on a weight basis.
[0013] The fabrics of this invention include fabrics such as (i) a
stone-washed elastic cotton fabric, (ii) a dye-stripped elastic
nylon fabric, (iii) a brilliant-colored, dyed elastic polyester
(e.g., PET) fabric, (iv) a dry-cleaned elastic fabric (e.g., a
fabric that has been exposed to perchloroethylene), and (v) a
chlorine- or bromine-exposed elastic fabric comprising one or more
of polyester, nylon and cotton. All of these fabrics are known to
require harsh and stringent processes that utilize chemicals and
conditions that would degrade most conventional stretch fabrics
because these chemicals and conditions would degrade the stretch
fiber component of these fabrics. The fabrics of this invention,
however, comprise a stretch fiber that is particularly resistant to
such degradation and as such, the fabric containing these fibers
exhibits surprising durability and chemical resistance.
[0014] "Fiber" means a material in which the length to diameter
ratio is greater than about 10. Fiber is typically classified
according to its diameter. Filament fiber is generally defined as
having an individual fiber diameter greater than about 15 denier,
usually greater than about 30 denier. Fine denier fiber generally
refers to a fiber having a diameter less than about 15 denier.
Microdenier fiber is generally defined as fiber having a diameter
less than about 100 microns denier.
[0015] "Filament fiber" or "monofilament fiber" means a single,
continuous strand of material of indefinite (i.e., not
predetermined) length, as opposed to a "staple fiber" which is a
discontinuous strain of material of definite length (i.e., a strand
which has been cut or otherwise divided into segments of a
predetermined length).
[0016] The term "heat resistant" as used herein refers to the
ability of an elastic polymer or elastic polymer composition in the
form of fiber to pass the high temperature heat setting and dyeing
tests described herein.
[0017] The term "survive" when used in reference to the fabric or
article "surviving" a particular treatment means that the fabric
exhibits growth of less than 20%, preferably less than about 10%
and more preferably less than about 8% in both the warp and weft
direction after the particular treatment has been conducted.
[0018] The term "growth" means residual elongation, or the amount
the fabric lengthens after applying a load over a given length of
time and allowing recovery, expressed as a percentage of the
initial fabric dimension. Growth can be determined using ASTM
D3107.
[0019] The term "treatment" means one or more of a) exposure to a
10% by weight sodium hypochlorite solution for a period of at least
90 minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; b) exposure
to a 5% by weight permanganate solution for a period of at least 90
minutes at a temperature of at least 140.degree. F.; c) 50 cycles
of industrial laundering at temperatures of at least 65.degree. C.
d) 20 cycles of drycleaning with perchloroethylene using AATCC test
method 158; or e) mercerization under caustic conditions (28-33
Baum or about 20% NaOH or more) at temperatures of at least about
60.degree. C. for 60 seconds or longer.
[0020] The term "elastic article" is used in reference to shaped
items, while the term "elastic material" is a general reference to
polymer, polymer blends, polymer compositions, articles, parts or
items.
[0021] "Elastic" means that a fiber will recover at least about 50
percent of its stretched length after the first pull and after the
fourth to 100% strain (doubled the length). Elasticity can also be
described by the "permanent set" of the fiber. Permanent set is the
converse of elasticity. A fiber is stretched to a certain point and
subsequently released to the original position before stretch, and
then stretched again. The point at which the fiber begins to pull a
load is designated as the percent permanent set. "Elastic
materials" are also referred to in the art as "elastomers" and
"elastomeric". Elastic material (sometimes referred to as an
elastic article) includes the polyolefin polymer itself as well as,
but not limited to, the polyolefin polymer in the form of a fiber,
film, strip, tape, ribbon, sheet, coating, molding and the like.
The preferred elastic material is fiber. The elastic material can
be either cured or uncured, radiated or unradiated, and/or
crosslinked or uncrosslinked. For heat reversibility, the elastic
fiber must be substantially crosslinked or cured. For purposes of
this invention, an elastic article is one that comprises elastic
fiber.
[0022] "Nonelastic material" means a material, e.g., a fiber, that
is not elastic as defined above.
[0023] Suitable fibers for use in the present invention are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,014. As described in that
reference, the fibers can be formed by many processes known in the
art, for example the fibers can be meltblown or spunbond.
Similarly, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,014, the fibers can be
made from many different materials, including ethylene-alpha olefin
interpolymers, substantially hydrogenated block polymers, styrene
butadiene styrene block polymers, styrene-ethylene/butene-styrene
block polymers, ethylene styrene interpolymers, polypropylenes,
polyamides, polyurethanes and combinations thereof. The crosslinked
homogeneously branched ethylene polymers described in that
reference, particularly the substantially linear ethylene polymers,
are particularly well suited for use in making articles of this
invention.
[0024] These fibers may be used neat or may be combined into a yarn
with an inelastic fiber such as cotton, wool, or synthetic material
such as polyester or nylon. These fibers, whether neat or used with
other material in a yarn, may be used alone or together with other
yarns to make the fabric of the present invention. The fabric of
the present invention can be made according to known fabrication
methods such as weaving or knitting. A preferred fabric of the
present invention is denim, as many current processes for treating
denim are too harsh for current elastic fabrics. Thus, denim made
from elastic fabric of the present invention will be able to
survive the current treatments.
[0025] The fabric of the present invention can then be used to make
garments. Examples of garments which can be advantageously made
from the fabric of the present invention include swimwear and
uniforms, particularly rental uniforms which are subject to
industrial laundering.
[0026] The following examples are to illustrate the invention, and
not to limit it. Ratios, parts and percentages are by weight unless
otherwise stated.
EXPERIMENTAL
[0027] Fiber Descriptions:
[0028] Fiber made from Dow AFFINITY ethylene-octene copolymer (MI 3
g/10 min, density 0.875 g/cc) 140 Denier crosslinked by e-beam
(19.2 mrad)
[0029] Generic Spandex
[0030] Fabric Description:
[0031] 3.times.1 RHT (right-hand twill); 100% cotton warp, 94%
cotton/6% Crosslinked AFFINITY filling.
EXAMPLE 1
Stone Washing
[0032] The stones were white pumas ranging approximately between
2-4 inches in diameter. The stones were soaked in the chemical
solution for two (2) hours prior to testing.
1 Stone Wash/Decolorize - Hypochlorite Formula Liquor Water Time
Chemical Process Ratio Temp (F.) (Min) Quantity Chemical Comment
Stonewash/ 10:1 140 90 10% soln. 5.25% Sodium 3:1 Stone to
Hypochlorite available Cl Hypochlorite Fabric ratio (stone soak)
Drain/Rinse 10:1 170 10 Rinse Neutralize 10:1 170 20 0.5 g/l Sodium
Disulfite Drain/rinse Rinse Hot Rinse Cold Dry Tumble Dry Low
[0033]
2 Stone Wash/Decolorize - Permanganate Formula Liquor Water Time
Chemical Process Ratio Temp (F.) (Min) Quantity Chemical Comment
Stonewash/ 10:1 140 90 5% soln. (stone Potassium 3:1 Stone to
Potassium soak) Permanganate Fabric ratio Permanganate Drain/Rinse
10:1 170 10 Rinse Neutralize 10:1 170 20 0.5 g/l Sodium Bisulfite
Drain/rinse Rinse Hot Rinse Cold Dry Tumble Dry Low
[0034] Test Results:
[0035] To understand the effects of stone washing on spandex, a
sample of stretch denim comprising spandex was run in parallel with
a sample of stretch denim comprising AFFINITY fiber. Although the
properties of the two fabrics cannot be compared directly (the
fabrics are of slightly different constructions), the data does
show, however, property degradation in spandex-based denims and
property retention in AFFINITY-based denims.
3 AFFINITY Spandex Denim Denim Test Procedures Length Width Length
Width Fabric Dimensional Change -2.2% -1.6% 4.9% -10.2% (AATCC 135)
After Stone Wash, Chlorine Bleach Fabric Dimensional Change -2.6%
-1.7% -5.1% -10.5% (AATCC 135) After Stone Wash, Permanganate
Stretch and Recovery Stretch Growth Stretch Growth Comparison (ASTM
D6614) As Received 7.0% 2.9% 17.3% 4.5% After 1x Stone Wash,
Chlorine 7.3% 3.5% 28.3% 8.0% Bleach After 1x Stone Wash, 7.5% 3.5%
29.9% 10.1% Permanganate
[0036] Denim fabric containing AFFINITY fiber did not have any
significant change in stretch properties. When a commercially
available spandex containing stretch fabric was subjected to the
hypochlorite and permangenate washes, it exhibited deterioration in
stretch properties and dimensional stability.
EXAMPLE 2
Stripping Agents
[0037] Chemical Reduction by 1 g/L Sodium Hydrosulfite (Dye
Stripping), 100.degree. C./212.degree. F., 1 Hour:
[0038] Dye Stripping is a process to chemically remove color from
fabric for redying. This test was performed as sodium hydrosulfite
is a commonly used dye stripping agent. Since published research
has shown some sensitivity on the part of elastomeric fibers to
dye-stripping. Dyers prefer to work with a fiber that can withstand
a stripping bath rather than one that will not.
[0039] Fiber Description:
[0040] Fiber made from Dow AFFINITY EG 8200 (MI 5 g/10 min, density
0.870 g/cc) 70 Denier crosslinked by e-beam (32 mrad)
[0041] Dupont Lycra 70 Denier
[0042] Dupont Lycra--Chlorine Resistant 70 Denier
4 Fiber Test Data AFFINITY Lycra Lycra-CR Ultimate Elongation
276.68 334.94 297.26 After Treatment (%) % Difference against -16%
-23% -28% as received Breaking Load After 32.35 49.21 47.37
Treatment (g) % Difference against -53 -43 -33 as received
EXAMPLE 3
Swimming Pool Water
[0043] 100 ppm Sodium Hypochlorite (Chlorine Bleach), 50.degree.
C./120.degree. F., 24 Hours:
[0044] This accelerated test was performed as the hypochlorite ion
is responsible both for bleaching and fiber damage in textiles, and
it is also a chief cause in the degradation of fibers by swimming
pool water. This level of chlorine was found by ruggedness testing
to be roughly equivalent to the amount of exposure that would cause
failure in a chlorine resistant Lycra.RTM. swimsuit after five
months of use in which the suit was worn three times per week.
[0045] Fiber description:
[0046] Fiber made from Dow AFFINITY EG 8200 (MI 5 g/10 min, density
0.870 g/cc) 70 Denier crosslinked by e-beam (32 mrad)
[0047] Dupont Lycra 70 Denier
[0048] Dupont Lycra--Chlorine Resistant 70 Denier
5 AFFINITY Lycra Lycra-CR Ultimate Elongation 250.23 125.83 206.50
After Treatment (%) % Difference against -24% -71% -50% as received
Breaking Load After 38.46 2.12 15.19 Treatment (g) % Difference
against -44% -98% -79% as received
EXAMPLE 4
Wear Test
[0049] Fiber Description:
[0050] Fiber made from Dow AFFINITY EG 8200 (MI 5 g/10 min, density
0.870 g/cc) 70 Denier crosslinked by e-beam (32 mrad)
[0051] A Speedo suit made of a two bar tricot construction with
nylon and conventional Lycra spandex was obtained that displayed
almost complete disintegration of the spandex component.
Additionally new Speedo suits containing chlorine resistant Lycra
spandex were purchased, and a swimsuit was constructed using weft
knit polyester (about 88% by weight)/Dow AFFINITY fiber (about 12%
by weight) fabric.
[0052] After a five-month wear trial test, the chlorine resistant
suit displayed localized degradation. Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM) images (FIGS. 2 and 3) revealed that this degradation
involved only the spandex filaments which were heavily degraded
while the nylon filaments were untouched.
[0053] In contrast to the chlorine resistant spandex, the
crosslinked AFFINITY elastomeric yarn contained in a similar
swimsuit used in a four month wear trial displayed no degradation
(FIGS. 4 and 5). No significant bagging of the AFFINITY suit was
found present and the suit was found to be functional in all ways
with exception of the polyester yarn's propensity to stain readily
when exposed to zinc oxide sun block, sun tan lotion and oil.
[0054] After completion of the wear trial, the AFFINITY suit was
washed using the machine wash/warm tumble dry low cycle. The suit
improved in appearance due to removal of stains and dirt
accumulated over the period of the wear trial. After washing, the
suit continued to fit well without bagging or excess shrinkage.
EXAMPLE 5
Laundering
[0055] Stretch Properties of Fabric Containing AFFINITY Crosslinked
Fibers:
[0056] Fabric description: 3.times.1 LHT (left-hand twill); 100%
Nylon T-66 warp, 84% cotton/16% Dow AFFINITY EG 8200 (MI 5 g/10
min, density 0.870 g/cc) 70 Denier crosslinked by e-beam (22.4
mrad) filling.
6 Fabric Stretch, % weft direction Laundry (ASTM-D-6614-00) Method
Conditions 1 cycle 25 cycles 50 cycles MWH TDH SIM From AATCC Test
Method 135 66.6 70.2 73.0 machine wash hot (normal cycle, 12
minutes), 140.degree. F. tumble dry high, 160.degree. F. steam iron
medium, 300.degree. F. MWH TDH SIM From AATCC Test Method 135 65.0
70.1 74.6 With Chiorine machine wash hot (CLOROX .RTM.) (normal
cycle, 12 minutes), 140.degree. F. tumble dry high, 160.degree. F.
steam iron medium, 300.degree. F. MWH TDH SIM From AATCC Test
Method 135 64.1 66.4 71.0 With Non- machine wash hot Chlorine
Bleach (normal cycle, 12 minutes), 140.degree. F. (CLOROX 2 .RTM.)
tumble dry high, 160.degree. F. steam iron medium, 300.degree.
F.
[0057] The data in the above table demonstrates that the fabric
experiences minimal change over 1 to 50 cycles.
[0058] Although the invention has been described in considerable
detail through the preceding embodiments, this detail is for the
purpose of illustration. Many variations and modifications can be
made on this invention without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as described in the following claims. All U.S.
patents and allowed U.S. patent applications cited above are
incorporated herein by reference.
EXAMPLE 6
Industrial Laundering
[0059] Fabric Description: 2.times.1 right hand twill; 65%/35%
Polyester/Cotton Warp; 96% Cotton/4% XLA Filling Yam
[0060] Fabric was prepared, dyed and finished using in a
continuous, thermosol dyeing range. The maximum temperature of
during processing was 440.degree. F. Finished fabric was cut and
sewn into pant legs and subjected to industrial laundering at
65.degree. C. Fabric stretch and dimensional stability were
measured after 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cycles. Fabric stretch and
dimensional stability showed no significant change after multiple
cycles in industrial laundering.
EXAMPLE 7
Drycleaning
[0061] Fabric Description: Plain Weave Chambray Fabric; 100% Cotton
Warp; 94%/6% Cotton/XLA Filling
[0062] Fabric was prepared and finished on a continuous range. The
maximum temperature during processing was 365.degree. F. Finished
fabric was cut and sewn into tubes. In addition, Chambray shirts
containing spandex were purchased for comparison. Shirts and tubes
were subjected to multiple drycleaning cycles using
perchloroethylene as the solvent. Stretch and growth were measured
after 3, 5, and 20 cycles. Fabric stretch and growth for the XLA
fabric were not significantly changed after multiple dyrcleaning
cycles. However, the spandex fabric experienced excessive growth
after 20 drycleaning cycles.
* * * * *