Metallic Yarn

Abstract

A laminated yarn adapted for tone-on-tone or cross dyeing with dispersed dyestuffs comprising metallized transparent films laminated with an adhesive comprising a copolymer of a major portion of polyethylene and a minor portion of a comonomer.

Description

The present invention generally relates to textile materials, particularly to textile yarns which are prepared by laminating materials adapted to give colorful and varying effects. The decorative effects of the subject yarns are achieved through a combination of the characteristics of the component parts and through dyes which are applied thereto.

In view of the increased use of the metallic yarns in fabrics, it is desirable to provide such yarns which may be dyed to produce colorful effects without detrimentally modifying the characteristics of the metallic yarn substrate. Although metallic yarns have been produced by a number of processes, this invention is directed to those yarns produced by laminating previously metallized transparent films.

In preparing laminated metallic yarns by the subject process, it is conventional to utilize transparent or translucent plastic sheets, for example, polyethylene terephthalate or other polyesters which are coated on one side with a reflective metal such as aluminum. The aluminum coated sides are adhered by means of a suitable adhesive to provide a laminated web which may be slit to produce yarns of the required size. In applying the metallic coating and the adhesive material, it has been proposed to use metal foils and plastic films respectively, however, this generally results in yarns which are relatively thick and which are subject to delamination due to the infusion of solvents, oxidants, and other materials which contact the finished yarn. Likewise, vapor deposition and solution coatings have been used.

Metallic yarns which have been produced in the past generally utilize transparent films which contain there between a reflective metal and which are adhered by applying an adhesive such as a synthetic or natural resin or a rubber-based adhesive. However, the choice of adhesive as a practical matter is limited by its ability to withstand high temperatures, pressures and chemical attack.

Among the defects apparent in currently produced metallic yarns, the above-mentioned tendency to delaminate due to the thickness of the yarn has been in part solved by using solution coating techniques rather than laminating techniques in applying the metal and the adhesive. However, this does not entirely eliminate the susceptibility of the yarn to degradation when cleaning solvents are applied to the yarn or when boiling water and high temperature or high pressure conditions are experienced. Under these situations there is a tendency for the solvent to impregnate the yarn. Impregnation results in degradation of the adhesive, the coloring materials, and also the metal. This not only ultimately destroys the yarn but in the interim, it considerably reduces the decorative effect by causing bridging in the yarn, separation of the metal from the plastics and alteration of any dyestuff molecules which may have been applied.

The above-noted defects are particularly experienced when the metallic yarns are dyed. Dyes are commonly applied to color the clear polyester ply. Since the dyes are generally applied to the yarns in a carrier which is infused into the yarns under extreme pressure and/or heat to cause infusion, it is essential to have an adhesive which is capable of withstanding such infusion while retaining its adhesive characteristics. The method of applying dyes is particularly important since they are generally applied in solutions which may be heated to high temperatures and they may be applied under conditions of increased pressure. Under conventional dyeing techniques the previously produced metallic laminated yarns are unfavorably affected by the chemicals in the dyeing bath as well as by the high temperatures and pressures necessary to infuse the dye into the transparent films. Typically, the dyed yarns exhibit modified chemical and physical properties including bridging, delamination, and demetallization.

From the above-discussion, it is apparent that laminated metallic yarns must be capable of withstanding the conditions experienced during dyeing and must withstand cleaning solvents, heat and pressure while retaining a decorative effect and integral structure.

In view of the above-noted requirements and the deficiencies in presently existing laminated metallic yarns, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a laminated metallic yarn capable of withstanding degradation during dyeing and during use.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide metallic yarns capable of withstanding the infusion of dyestuffs during pressure dyeing, high temperature dyeing or low temperature dyeing with carriers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a process of producing the subject yarn.

Briefly described, this invention comprises laminating the metal-coated faces of transparent films by use of an adhesive system comprising a copolymer of a major portion of polyethylene and a minor portion of a modifying comonomer. Other aspects of the invention include the application of such adhesives as a dispersion wherein a suitable proportion of stabilizer and modifiers are present or, alternatively, applying a film of the desired polyethylene copolymer. In the latter case, it is frequently necessary to apply after-treatment to the laminated film comprising electron radiation or thermal treatment to improve the integrity of the yarn.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a process of producing the subject yarn;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view of the yarn produced by the process of FIG. 1 and;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the yarn of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the process of the present invention is seen to comprise providing a first web 2 of clear plastic having ametallic coating 3 on its lower surface, passing that web through coating rollers 8 such as those used in rotogravure printing, adapted to apply an adhesive dispersion 4 thereto, passing the coated web through a pre-drying oven 12 to evaporate solvent contained in adhesive 4, and then through heated pressure rolls 14 one roll being metal and the other rubber, wherein a second clear plastic layer 2, with metallic coating 3 on its upper surface, is laminated thereto. The laminate is thereafter slit in a slitting device 18 and wound up on roller 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the yarn is seen to comprise two outer transparent plastic layers 2 having metallic surface coatings 3 and an inner clear plastic adhesive coating 4. As was previously mentioned, the adhesive 4 may, in some instances, comprise a film. In such cases it is sometimes necessary to after-treat the laminated yarn in order to ensure and improve the adhesion of the yarn. The preferred after-treatment involves electron-irradiation before slitting although thermal techniques before slitting have also been used. In such a process the schematic representation shown in FIG. 1 would be modified by elimination of the adhesive tank 7, coating rollers 8 and pre-drying oven 12. In their place, a roll of adhesive film 4' would be supplied with suitable feed means to supply the adhesive film between the two one side metallized polyester layers 2. Additionally, the schematic would be modified by inserting an after-treating irradiator or oven 15 between laminating roller 14 and slitter 18.

The lamination technique involves applying adhesive to the clear plastic layers which have previously been coated by vapor deposition or other conventional techniques with a metal, particularly aluminum, gold or silver. The films may be metallized in a high vacuum metallizer as by the process set out in U.S. Pat. No. 2,974,055 wherein gold, silver, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, nickel, etc. are applied by vapor deposition in thicknesses under about 1/50,000 of an inch.

The exact processing technique will be varied somewhat depending upon the form of the adhesive which is used, that is, whether a film or dispersion is utilized.

A suitable rate of travel of film during the processing steps shown in FIG. 1 is on the order of 100 to 175 feet per minute.

Lamination occurs with rolls 14 heated at about 150.degree.-180.degree. C., the exact temperature will depend upon the adhesive used as is more fully explained hereinafter. The nip of the rollers 14 is maintained at a pressure which can vary from about 0.1 to 65 pounds per inch of film width depending on the type of adhesive used. The slitter 18 is provided after the point of lamination and generally comprises a knife which slits the film in desired widths.

One problem in the processing of the laminated yarns is to maintain proper tension at the point of lamination in order to avoid bridging in the fibers. Equal tension in both webs is required to avoid such conditions. Bridging relates to the joining of the two materials which may occur when improper tension is provided or when one layer contracts more than the other, causing the first layer to buckle and bridge. When using certain polyesters, for example, Melinex S, which is a commercially available clear polyester material, the temperature at lamination should not exceed 180.degree. C. since at this temperature, the shrinkage characteristics of the polyester film produce undesirable characteristics in the ultimate yarn.

If a dispersion is used it is necessary to remove the solvent and dispersing medium prior to lamination. This is preferably conducted in an air-type oven (12) wherein hot air (80.degree.-120.degree. C.) is applied to the surface of the coated film. Passage through the air oven is part of a continuous process and in a typical process, the material will reside in the oven for only about 20 seconds. This dwell time will clearly vary with the film speed through the process.

When using an adhesive dispersion the laminating rolls can be heated to about 160.degree. C. and the nip pressure will be about 0.1 pound per inch of film width.

In the case of the alternate use of a polyethylene film, the laminating techniques would be generally the same with the pressure rolls maintained at 130.degree.-150.degree. C. and at a pressure of 64 pounds per inch for a process speed of 130 feet per minute. In this embodiment the after-treater 15 is used instead of pre-heater 12. In the case of thermal treatment, a heat treatment for 20-120 seconds at 160.degree.-180.degree. C. suffices to obtain a pressure dyeable yarn. In the case of electron radiation, a level of 2 to 32 mrads. is suitable, with the preferred dose being above 8 mrads. The radiation is achieved with conventional techniques and apparatus.

As noted above, the yarn, according to this invention, is receptive to dispersed dyestuffs such as acetate dyes while retaining its resistance to degradation due to such agents as the chemicals, temperatures and pressures, experienced during dyeing.

The yarns, are dyed with a number of different types of dyes in either the tone-on-tone or cross dyeing techniques by use of high temperature or low temperature processes. Dispersed dyes are particularly adapted for use with this invention and when the yarns of this invention are interwoven with other threads, for example, cotton or rayon, the cross dyeing technique may be utilized. That is, the woven fabric is first dyed with colors which are picked up by the laminated threads and then cleared with a suitable solution such as sodium hydrosulfite followed by application of dyestuffs which are reactive to or attracted to the other threads in the fabric. These techniques and processes of dyeing and the particular dyestuffs will vary with the intended use and characteristics of the ultimate fabric but the yarns of this invention are adapted for use in all such processes.

In applying the dyes, generally, the methods available can be characterized as low temperature processes and high temperature processes. In each of these processes, the laminated yarn is subjected to the potentially detrimental effect of the dye solution. It is found that the adhesive of this invention resists all such processes and is adapted for particular use with the normally troublesome dyeing processes.

A considerable range of shades can be achieved through the use of different dyestuffs. In the case of dyes applied in the presence of substantial quantities of carriers (low temperature dyeings), the carriers must swell the polyester and not substantially affect the adhesive.

The clear plastic films 2 utilized are preferably polyester materials which are clear, that is, transparent or translucent. The use of clear outer layers allows the maximum utilization of the decorative effects of the metallic coating and any subsequently applied dyestuffs which are present in the clear plastic layers. The combined effect of dyes and metallic coatings give a colorful glittering appearance to the ultimate yarn and fabric. Suitable plastic films 2 are oriented polyesters, for example, polyethylene terephthalate or other clear films which may be oriented or unoriented. Particular reference is made to Terphane produced by La Cellophane and Melinex-S, both of which are commercially available clear polyester films. The essential characteristic of the outer layer films 2 is that they be clear and be adapted to receive a metallic coating 3 and a dyestuff. The films may be any suitable size with the preferred film being 40 inches in width and approximately 25-100 gauge.

Generally, no adhesive primer is required on the metallized film, however, if desired, conventional primers for the subject adhesives can be applied.

The adhesive of this invention is preferably applied as a dispersion in order to reduce the ultimate thickness of the yarn. The quantity of the adhesive applied is on the order of 0.15 to 1.2 g/m.sup.2, preferably 0.3 g/m.sup.2. The adhesive material is a copolymer containing at least about 75 percent and preferably about 92 percent polyethylene which contains as comonomer a material selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and the acrylate monomers, particularly, ethyl acrylate and isobutyl acrylate; "copolymers" includes terpolymers of these materials. These copolymers are prepared by conventional techniques which are clearly available to those skilled in the art. The preferred range of comonomer is from 4 to 12 percent especially 8 percent of the total and the preferred comonomer is acrylic acid. When such adhesive is applied from a dispersion, it is generally necessary to add a stabilizer such as a detergent, a nitrile rubber, a vinyl monomer or a modified vinyl monomer containing carboxy or hydroxy groups. The polyethylene copolymer is dissolved in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and is then dispersed in a solution of the stabilizer in, for example, methyl ethyl ketone and this combination is utilized as the adhesive dispersion 4. The stabilizer works as a dispersing agent for the polyethylene copolymer and has a beneficial influence on the chemical resistance of the yarns.

Preferred stabilizers for the polyethylene copolymer are the polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymers modified with hydroxyl groups and commercially known as VAGH produced by Union Carbide. An alternative is a polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymer known as VYHH also produced by Union Carbide. Additionally, VMCH another polyvinyl chloride-polyvinyl acetate copolymer produced by Union Carbide can be used. It can generally be said that any vinyl resin and/or detergent can be used as the stabilizer of this invention. Epoxy and isocyanate resins and silicone compounds are also effective. These components are present in about 0.05 to 1.5 percent weight.

To the resin and stabilizer dispersion may be added conventional modifiers and additives to effect the characteristics of the adhesive. The dispersion is applied in a thin layer since thin coatings improve the resistance to deterioration in the yarn.

Instead of using the dispersion of polyethylene copolymer it is possible, although not preferred, to use films of the polyethylene copolymer. These are commercially produced by conventional extrusion techniques or by blow molding from the reaction product of the polyethylene and comonomer. In this case, there is no necessity to add a stabilizer or modifier.

The yarns produced by the slitter are from about 1/100 inch to one-fourth inch in width. The exposed parts of adhesive and metal seen in FIG. 3 are on the order of 0.2 mils for a total peripheral surface of 20-500 mils. The yarn thickness, when an adhesive dispersion is applied to vapor coated films, is about 50 gauge and when a film is used it is about 100-110 gauge, when 25 gauge polyester films are used.

The yarns may be packaged on cones such as non-returnable cardboard tubes or cones which contain about 7 ounces, 200 grams, of yarn or they may be packaged on a plastic non-returnable spool containing about 5.5 ounces (150 grams) of yarn. The yarns may be supported (combined with nylon monofilaments) or unsupported and can be wound as single strands or as tow.

The yarns produced show very good properties having typically a strength of 90-100 gm, an extensability of 100% and a yield force of 50 gm. In addition, they are soft and have good handle making them easy to wind and to use in mechanical knitting or weaving machines without physical breaking or cracking.

The processes of dyeing described above serve as tests for the effectiveness of the inventive yarns, since most laminated metallic yarns will not withstand the dyeing processes. The subject yarns can also be tested by the standard boil test. These tests are used in the examples and may briefly be described as follows.

The high temperature dyeing test involves use of temperatures of about 120.degree.-125.degree. C., or when high pressure is applied a temperature of about 140.degree. C. can be used. A dye in quantities of about 5-10 percent and a liquor ratio 1:200 containing minor portions (less than 0.05 g/l) of a conventional carrier such as a diphenyl emulsion is used and adjusted to a pH of 5-7 with 30 percent acetic acid. Dye % and liquor ratio are known textile terms. Percent relates to dye/fabric ratio and liquor ratio to fabric/liquor ratio. Commercial processes use normally between 0.1-5 percent dye and liquor ratio of approximately 1:40. The yarn is boiled at indicated temperature for 1-2 hours.

The low temperature dyeing test involves similar conditions with a temperature of 100.degree. C. with about 10 percent dye and liquor ratio 1:500 containing about 3-4 g/l carrier and having a pH of 6-6.5. The yarn is boiled for about 1 hour.

The standard soap boil test involves immersion of a yarn in aqueous solutions containing about 5 grams soap (LUX) per liter (pH about 9) at 100.degree. C. for 2 hours. This test gives an indication of the alkali resistance of the yarn.

To indicate the effectiveness of a given yarn in surviving the above tests observations of the chemical deterioration, bridging, delamination, and demetallizing are made and reported in the examples according to the following scale.

Chemical Attack Bridging & Delamination Demetallizing __________________________________________________________________________ 0 = undamaged 0 = undamaged 0 = undamaged 1 = very slight 1 = slight briding 1 = 0-3% de- damage 2 = moderate bridging metallized 2 = slight damage or very slight 2 = 3-10% " 3 = moderate delamination 3 = 10-30% " damage 3 = slight delamination 4 = 30-60% " 4 = severe damage 4 = severe bridging or 5 = 60% " 5 = extreme moderate delamina- damage tion 5 = severe bridging & delamination __________________________________________________________________________

The invention can better be understood by reference to the following embodiments presented by way of specific examples. The examples are given in order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention but are not intended to define the limits of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Ethylene, acrylic acid and a solvent were fed continuously at rates respectively of 10.01, 0.01 and 2.70 pounds per hour into and through a two liter stirred autoclave maintained at a temperature of 140.degree.-150.degree. C. and a pressure of 1,450 atmospheres. Azo-bis-isobutyronitrile initiator was also fed continuously at a rate equivalent to about 0.8 pounds per 1,000 pounds of polymer product. The residence time in the autoclave was about 15 minutes. The reaction mixture continuously removed from the autoclave was stripped of unpolymerized monomers and solvents under reduced pressure at elevated temperature. After operations had reached a steady state the conversion of monomers to copolymer was 12.4 percent, the copolymer had a melt index of 40 and contained about 92 percent ethylene and 8 percent acrylic acid. Melt index is determined by ASTM test method D 1238-52T (ASTM Standards, 1955, Part 6, pages 292 to 295) and melt index is a well recognized determination of molecular weight.

EXAMPLE 2

Fifteen Parts copolymer of Example 1 is dissolved in 300 parts perchlorethylene (temperature 100.degree.-120.degree. C.) with stirring. Initially the polymer floats on the perchlorethylene and forms a thick gelly. This has to be broken up with continuous stirring until the copolymer is dissolved.

Five Parts Hycar 1022 15 percent solution in toluene are dissolved in 200 parts methyl ethyl ketone.

The hot perchlorethylene containing dissolved copolymer is poured into the diluted Hycar solution in methyl ethyl ketone at room temperature. High speed stirring is utilized until a good dispersion results. The dispersion is cooled to room temperature and placed in a fountain of a rotogravure printing press.

EXAMPLE 3

(A) Metallic yarns were produced by coating a 25 gauge, 40 inch width clear polyethylene terephthalate film containing a vapor deposit of aluminum on one side with a solution prepared according to Example 2. The composition was applied to the metallized side of one film by rotogravure printing in a thickness of about 1.0 g/m.sup.2. The coated film was passed at an approximate speed of 125 feet per minute through an air oven containing heated air at approximately 80.degree.-90.degree. C. The film was then passed through rollers maintained at 170.degree. C. and a second like film of polyethylene terephthalate was brought into contact with the coated surface of the initial film. After passing through the laminating rollers maintained at a nip pressure of about 0.1 pounds per inch film width, the films were passed into contact with a rotating cutter having a series of knives adapted to produce filaments from 0.07 to 0.25 inches in width.

The process of Example 3(A) was repeated with the following modifications:

B. repeated using VMCH instead of Hycar 1022;

C. repeated using VAGH instead of Hycar 1022;

D. repeated using VYHH instead of Hycar 1022;

E. repeated using 0 percent stabilizer;

F. repeated using 0.08 percent Hycar 1022 and coating to a thickness of 0.3 g/m.sup.2 ;

G. repeated using 1.5 percent Hycar 1022 and coating to a thickness of 1.2 g/m.sup.2 ;

H. repeated using 4 1/2 percent acrylic acid as comonomer;

I. repeated using 26.8 percent acrylic acid as comonomer;

J. repeated using 11.8 percent methacrylic acid as comonomer;

K. repeated using 9 1/2 percent acrylic acid and 19.2 percent isobutyl acrylate as comonomers; and

L. repeated using 9.8 percent acrylic acid and 9.0 percent ethyl acrylate as comonomers.

EXAMPLE 4

Instead of the dispersion used in Example 2 and 3, the copolymer of Example 1 was formed by blow-molding into a film approximately 0.40 inches wide and 25 gauge. This adhesive film was run between the metallized surfaces of two aluminum coated polyethylene terephthalate films and the composite was passed through laminating rollers maintained at 130.degree. C. with a pressure of 0.1 pounds per inch at about 130 feet per minute. The resulting laminate was divided into a series of portions treated as follows:

A. A first portion was slit without irradiation.

B. A second portion was irradiated at 4 mrads prior to slitting.

C. A third portion was irradiated at 8 mrads, prior to slitting.

D. A fourth portion was irradiated at 32 mrads, prior to slitting.

E. A fifth portion was heat-treated in an oven for 27 seconds at 180.degree. C. prior to slitting.

F. A sixth portion was heat-treated in a oven for 111 seconds at 180.degree. C.

G. A seventh portion was heat-treated in an oven for 27 seconds at 160.degree. C.

H. An eighth portion was heat-treated in an oven for 68 seconds at 160.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 5

Samples of the yarns produced above in 3 (A)-(D) were dyed by the low temperature technique described above by immersing them in a carrier solution of a dyestuff at 98.degree. to 100.degree. C. for 1 hour, after dyeing the yarns are boiled for one-half hour in an alkaline solution at 100.degree. C. (5 gm Lux per liter).

The results of the dyeing are as follows:

3 (A) 2/1/1 (B) 2/1/1 (C) 2/1/1 (D) 2/1/1

the function of the carrier is to accelerate difusion of the dye in the polyester. However, the carrier not only swells the polyester but also difuses into the adhesive and, therefore, low temperature dyeing is more critical than high temperature dyeing. Suitable dispersed dyes are those produced commercially by Geigy Laboratories under the names "Setacyl" and "Gycoluce." In the following examples the only modification of the basic low temperature dyeing process is in the use of a particular carrier.

A. The above-described process is carried out with a carrier comprising the sodium salt of ortho phenyl phenol.

B. The carrier used is an aromatic ester commercially known as "Remol PCN" produced by Hoechst.

C. The carrier is an aromatic ether Pananil A produced by BASF.

D. The carrier is an aromatic ether commercially known as "Pananil AN" produced by BASF.

E. As a carrier diphenyl emulsions are utilized which are commercially available from ICI, Tanatex, and Hoechst.

F. The carrier used is a chlorinated aromatic commercially available from BASF and CIBA. In the above examples, Examples 5A-D produced acceptable dyed yarns whereas Examples 5E and 5F produced unacceptable yarns. The results are tabulated below using the testing scale described above:

5A 2/1/1 5B 0/1/2 5C 1/0/1 5D 1/0/2 5E Complete Delamination 5F Complete Delamination.

EXAMPLE 6

High temperature dyeing with dispersed dyestuff at 120.degree.-125.degree. C. as described above were also conducted on the above-produced yarns 4A-H, 3A-D and 3H-L with dyed products being produced as follows:

4A 0/2/0 4B Unsatisfactory 4C Good 4D Good 4E 0/2/0 4F 0/2/0 4G 0/3/0 4H 0/3/0 3A 1/0/1 3B 1/0/0 3C 1/0/1 3D 1/0/1 3H 1/0/1 3I 2/3/2 3J 1/2/1 3K Unsatisfactory 3L 1/0/1.

example 7

a high temperature-high pressure dye test was conducted wherein the yarns as produced above of Examples 4A-D and 3E-G were subject to a liquor containing dispersed dyestuffs in quantities of 5-10 percent in a 1-200 ratio with 0.025 grams per liter carrier (Tumasol D produced by ICI) at a pH of 5-5.5 for 2 hours at 120.degree.-125.degree. C. in a pressure cooker. The resulting dyed yarns were then subjected for a half hour to the action of a boiling medium (100.degree. C.) containing 5 grams of Lux soap per liter. The results are as follows:

4A Unsatisfactory 4B Unsatisfactory 4C Good 4D Good 3E Unsatisfactory 3F 1/3/0 3G 0/2/3.

example 8

the standard boil test was conducted on the yarns of Examples 4A-H and 3A-L, the following results were achieved:

4A 2/1/0 4B Unsatisfactory 4C Unsatisfactory 4D Unsatisfactory 4E 0/2/0 4F 0/2/0 4G 0/3/0 4H 0/3/0 3A 2/0/1 3B 2/0/l 3C 2/0/1 3D 2/0/1 3E 3/3/4 3F 1/0/0 3G Unsatisfactory 3H 1/1/2 3I 2/5/3 3J 2/1/1 3K Unsatisfactory 3L 2/2/1.

from the above examples it is clear that the yarns produced with the novel adhesive of this invention exhibit the ability to withstand dyeing under low temperature, or high temperature techniques and additionally, the dyed yarns resist the action of solvents, soaps and boiling mediums generally. No delamination, demetallization or susceptability to chemical attack is appreciable when using the preferred embodiments of the invention except in the case of low temperature dyeings with some carriers. The materials can be hand and machine washed without detrimental effect and ironed or subjected to dry cleaning techniques without detrimentally affecting the properties.

While the above description is given for the purpose of illustrating the invention, what is intended to be protected is defined in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A laminated yarn consisting essentially of two webs of transparent thermoplastic material each having an internal side coated with a metal deposit and said webs having sandwiched therebetween a polyethylene copolymer adhesive, particularly adapted to resist corrosion which would result in delamination in the presence of chemical baths, said polyethylene copolymer comprising at least about 85% ethylene and not more than 15 percent of at least one member selected from the class consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, isobutyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate, wherein said polyethylene copolymer is dispersion coated.

2. The yarn of claim 1 wherein said transparent thermoplastic material has been dyed.

3. The yarn of claim 1 wherein said member is present in an amount of about 8 percent.

4. The yarn of claim 1 wherein said adhesive is present in a quantity of approximately 0.3 grams per square meter.

5. The yarn of claim 1 wherein said polyethylene copolymer comprises about 92 percent ethylene and about 8 percent acrylic acid as comonomer.