JPH11222727A - Hygroscopic conjugate fiber of uneven thickness - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject fiber, having a high moisture absorption-release parameter (ΔMR) and thickness unevenness in the longitudinal direction in a specific range, composed of a hydrophilic component and a fiber-formable polymer, and having high hygroscopic characteristics, feel of dry touch, high dye fastness and resistance to light. SOLUTION: This fiber is composed of a hydrophilic component (e.g. polyether ester amide-based or polyether ester-based compound) and a fiber- formable polymer, has a moisture absorption-release parameter (ΔMR) of 1.0% or more and Uster normal U percentage of 5 to 20% as thickness unevenness in the longitudinal direction, and is suitable for, e.g. underwear, shirts, blouses, middlewear, sportswear, slacks, outerwear, linings, sheets and bedding covers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thick and thin hygroscopic fiber, and more particularly to a material which can be particularly suitably used as a material for clothing such as middle garments and sports clothing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Thermoplastic synthetic fibers typified by polyester and polyamide are excellent in mechanical strength, chemical resistance, heat resistance and the like, and are therefore widely used mainly for apparel use and industrial use. However, since these synthetic fibers have extremely low hygroscopicity, when used in the field where they are worn directly on the skin or near the skin side, such as innerwear, inner garments, and sports clothing, In reality, sweating from the skin causes stuffiness and stickiness, and is inferior to natural fibers in terms of comfort. In order to solve this drawback, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 51-67465, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 59-165485.
As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 60-215835 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-215835, various kinds of fibers with high equilibrium moisture content (moisture absorption), ply twisting, and drawing are used to improve the moisture absorption comfort. Attempts to achieve it have been proposed. Although these methods do improve comfort, they are not as effective, and conversely, are contaminated by disperse dyes commonly used when dyeing synthetic fibers in other synthetic fiber properties. There is a problem in that the synthetic fiber has poor physical properties and the same physical properties are lost.

[0003] Further, there is known a method of graft-polymerizing acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to polyester fibers, and further imparting hygroscopicity by replacing their carboxyl groups with alkali metals after the graft polymerization.
That the polyester is difficult to graft polymerize,
It has not yet been put to practical use because it has potential deterioration in color fastness, light fastness, fiber physical properties, texture, and the like.

[0004] The method of imparting hygroscopicity in the post-processing stage has various problems at the time of dyeing or in terms of the properties of the obtained fabric. For this purpose, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2-99612 proposes a core-sheath type composite fiber in which a hygroscopic resin having a moisture absorption of 10% or more at normal humidity is used as a core, and the core is covered with polyester as a sheath. . However, this method has high moisture absorption and water absorption of the core during hot water treatment such as dyeing,
There is a drawback in that the sheath portion is distorted due to the difference in water swelling between the core portion and the sheath portion, causing cracks on the fiber surface and causing troubles in higher-order processes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 51-136924 proposes a core-sheath composite staple comprising a hydrophilic polyester as a core component and a non-hydrophilic polyester as a sheath component. As the hydrophilic polyester, a polyalkylene glycol copolymer alone or a mixture of a small amount of a polyalkylene glycol copolymer and a small amount of a sulfonic acid or acidic phosphate derivative is used.As a staple, both ends of the fiber are increased to absorb water. It is a proposal to improve the performance. However, the present inventors have found that although the staple can improve the water absorption, it is difficult to improve the moisture absorption.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 53-111116 proposes a core-sheath type antistatic composite fiber containing a specific polyetherester as a core component. However, the effect of the fibers is antistatic, and there is a problem that the physical properties of the fibers change with time because a polyester obtained by homopolymerizing a polyether component is used as a core component. In addition, there is a problem that the polyetherester is strongly colored and the quality of the obtained final product is impaired.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-267352 discloses a polyester composition containing 50 to 70% by weight of a specific polyalkylene glycol. When this composition is fiberized alone, it is difficult to use it for clothing and industrial purposes due to low fiber properties and poor water resistance.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-123012 discloses a core-sheath type hygroscopic polyester fiber. This is a copolymer of an alkylene terephthalate, an alkylene sulfoisophthalate, and a polyoxyalkylene glycol blended with a block polyetherester and used as a core polymer, but the content described in the patent does not show sufficient hygroscopicity. It's hard to get, not a satisfactory level.

The inventor of the present application has disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-81831.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-157, invented a polyester having excellent hygroscopicity obtained by copolymerizing a hydrophilic compound and a fiber having excellent hygroscopicity using the copolymerized polyester. However, it has been found that it is necessary to improve the dry feeling of the fiber in order to expand its use for development. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-1
Japanese Patent No. 11538 discloses a technique relating to a thin fiber using two kinds of polyesters having different dyeing properties. The main purpose of the publication is to enable multicolor expression with different hues and different densities. However, there is no description about hygroscopicity. In view of the above, as a result of intensive studies, it has been found that by making the hygroscopic fiber thinner, a dry feeling is exhibited due to a synergistic effect of a contact cooling feeling and a touch feeling, and in particular, a core-sheath composite yarn having a hollow portion. Was found to be effective for the present invention, and the present invention was achieved.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a thick and thin hygroscopic synthetic fiber which has a high commercial value and overcomes the problems of the prior art.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a conjugate fiber comprising a hydrophilic component and a fiber-forming polymer as components, and a moisture absorption / desorption parameter (ΔMR).
Is 1.0% or more, and the thickness unevenness in the longitudinal direction of the fiber is achieved by a core-sheath type hygroscopic synthetic fiber having a fine and thin Uster Normal U% of 5 to 20%. can do.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A hydrophilic component is a component for imparting hygroscopicity to fibers, which is the object of the present invention, and it is essential that the hydrophilic component has higher hygroscopicity than a fiber-forming polymer as a base. The hydrophilic component is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound having higher hygroscopicity than the fiber-forming polymer. However, in order to impart high hygroscopicity to the fiber, the hydrophilic component (△ M
R) is preferably at least 8%. Further, in order to exhibit stable moisture absorption characteristics, it is more preferable that ΔMR is 15% or more. Representative compounds include polyetherester compounds, polyetheresteramide compounds, polyoxyalkylene compounds, polyoxazolines, polyacrylamide and its derivatives, polysulfoethyl methacrylate, poly (meth) acrylate, and poly (meth) acryl. Acid and its salt, polyhydroxyethyl (meth)
Examples include acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Among them, polyetherester compounds and polyetheresteramide compounds are preferred.

Specifically, a polyetherester compound is a copolymer having an ether bond and an ester bond in the same molecular chain. More specifically, it is a copolymer of a polyester component of a dicarboxylic acid and a diol and a polyether component composed of a polyoxyalkylene glycol. Examples of the acid component of the polyester include aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid and sebacic acid. Examples of the glycol component include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol and the like. Polyfunctional carboxylic acids such as trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid, and polyols such as glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and pentaeristol may be used as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Examples of the polyoxyalkylene glycol include polyethylene glycol, poly (1,2- and 1,3-propylene oxide) glycol, polytetramethylene oxide glycol, polyhexamethylene oxide glycol, and a random or block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide or tetrahydrofuran. Polymerization, etc.,
Particularly, polyethylene glycol is preferred.

[0014] The polyetheresteramide compound is a block copolymer having an ether bond, an ester bond and an amide bond in the same molecular chain. More specifically, polycondensation of one or more polyamide-forming components selected from lactams, aminocarboxylic acids, salts of diamines and dicarboxylic acids, and polyether esters of dicarboxylic acids and poly (alkylene oxide) glycols. It is a block copolymer obtained by the reaction. The polyamide-forming component of the polyetheresteramide of the present invention includes lactams such as caprolactam, enantholactam, dodecalactam and undecalactam, aminocaproic acid, 11-aminoundecanoic acid,
Ω-aminocarboxylic acids such as 2-aminododecanoic acid,
There are nylon salts of diamine-dicarboxylic acid which are precursors of nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 612 and the like, and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Preferred polyamide-forming components are ε-caprolactam, a nylon 66 salt.

On the other hand, the polyetherester component constituting the soft segment of the polyetheresteramide comprises a dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and poly (alkylene oxide) glycol. Examples of the dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 20 carbon atoms include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, dodecadic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid. Examples thereof include aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as acids, and alicyclic dicarboxylic acids such as 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and one or more kinds thereof can be used in combination. Preferred dicarboxylic acids are adipic acid, sebacic acid, dodecadic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid. Examples of the polyoxyalkylene glycol include polyethylene glycol and poly (1,2).
-And 1,3-propylene oxide) glycol, polytetramethylene oxide glycol, polyhexamethylene oxide glycol, random or block copolymerization of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide or tetrahydrofuran, etc., with polyethylene glycol being particularly preferred.

In the present invention, in order to obtain comfort, it is essential that the fiber has ΔMR = 1.0% or more.
In the case of the core-sheath type composite fiber, it is preferable that the composite ratio (% by weight) of the hydrophilic component in the core part is core / sheath = 5/95 to 90/10. More preferably, 7/93 to 50/50,
Particularly preferably, it is 10/90 to 30/70. The composite ratio can be arbitrarily selected for dyeing use and non-dyeing use. The lower limit of the composite ratio of the core is set for the purpose of imparting sufficient hygroscopicity, and the upper limit of the composite fiber ratio is set from the viewpoint of preventing a decrease in spinnability and a decrease in fiber properties.

The hydrophilic component includes pigments such as titanium oxide and carbon black as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired.
Of course, a surfactant such as an alkylbenzene sulfonate, a conventionally known antioxidant, a coloring inhibitor, a light stabilizer, an antistatic agent, and the like may be added.

In the present invention, the main component to be composited with the fiber-forming polymer is the above-mentioned copolymerized polyester, but may contain a polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate or the like as long as the effect is not impaired. In the present invention, examples of the fiber-forming polymer include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 66; and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, but are not limited thereto.
Preferably, it is a polyester mainly composed of polyethylene terephthalate, which is the most versatile synthetic fiber for clothing.

The fiber-forming polymer includes titanium oxide,
Other known antioxidants other than pigments such as carbon black,
Needless to say, a coloring prevention agent, a light resistance agent, an antistatic agent and the like may be added. In the present invention, by setting the U% to 5 to 20%, the fabric using the fiber has a small contrast of shading due to dyeing, has a natural spot feeling, and has a fine unevenness feeling on the surface of the fabric. A material with a dry feeling can be obtained visually and tactilely. Worst normal U% is preferably 6 to 15%.

As the form of the synthetic fiber, a core-sheath type composite fiber,
A core-sheath type composite hollow fiber may be mentioned, but a core-sheath type composite hollow fiber is preferred from the viewpoint of improving the dry feeling.

In the present invention, the composite fiber can be produced by a conventionally known method, and a method for producing a core-sheath type composite hollow fiber will be described below.

In the case of the core-sheath composite hollow fiber, the polyester (sheath) and the hydrophilic component (core) are separately melted, guided to a spinning pack, and formed into a core-sheath composite flow in a spinneret. Spin. After taking out the spun filament yarn at a predetermined speed, it is once wound up in a package, and the obtained undrawn yarn is drawn by a drawing machine. In order to impart a fineness to the fiber, it is necessary to non-uniformly stretch the undrawn yarn obtained under specific conditions. To be specific, spinning speed is 3000m
Per minute, the undrawn yarn can be obtained by setting the draw ratio to 1.4 times and setting the hot pin temperature to 80 ° C., and then drawing at a low draw ratio.

The composite form of the synthetic fiber of the present invention may be concentric, eccentric or multi-island, and the cross section of the fiber may be not only round but also irregular cross section such as triangular, flat or multi-lobed. The filamentous form of the fiber is a filament, which can be obtained by a conventional method. The fabric form can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, such as a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a nonwoven fabric.

[0024]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples. In addition, each characteristic value in an Example was calculated | required by the following method. A. Intrinsic viscosity of polyester [η] An orthochlorophenol solution was determined at 25 ° C. B. Difference in moisture absorption between polymer and fiber △ MR For moisture absorption, in the case of a polymer, a chip is cut into a cube of about 2 mm square, and in the case of a fiber, the original yarn is cut off, and the sample weight when completely dried is about 1 g. 20 ° C x 65% RH or 3
In an atmosphere of 0 ° C x 90% RH, a thermo-hygrostat (Tavai P
R-2G) was determined by the following equation from the weight change from the weight after standing for 24 hours in R-2G). Moisture absorption (%) = (weight after moisture absorption-weight when absolutely dry) /
Weight at absolute dryness × 100 20 ° C × 65% RH and 30 ° C × 90% measured above
From the moisture absorption rate under the condition of RH (referred to as MR1 and MR2, respectively), a moisture absorption rate difference ΔMR (%) = MR2-MR1 is obtained. Here, the difference in moisture absorption ΔMR is a driving force for obtaining comfort by releasing moisture in the clothes when the clothes are worn to the outside air, and is 30 ° C. when light to medium work or light to medium exercise is performed. The difference in moisture absorption between the temperature inside the clothes represented by × 90% RH and the outside temperature and humidity represented by 20 ° C. × 65% RH.

In the present invention, this △ is used as a scale for evaluating hygroscopicity.
MR is used as a parameter, and the larger the ΔMR, the higher the hygroscopicity and the better the comfort when worn. In practical use, the fiber is preferably 1% or more to obtain wearing comfort.

C. Strength and elongation Using a Tensilon tensile tester manufactured by Toyo Baldwin Co., values were obtained from a stress-strain curve under the conditions of a test length of 20 cm and a tensile speed of 10 cm / min.

D. Uster Normal U% Fiber unevenness in the length direction is USTER TESTER MONITOR C
Was measured. Yarn speed 8m / min, chart speed 25cm / min,
TWIST S1.5, YARN TENTION 1.5, EVALUTION TIME 1
In the measurement mode, the average deviation U% is measured normally.
The measured value is measured at any three points of the sample, and the average value is used.

E. Dry feeling The dry feeling of the fabric was determined by sensory evaluation by five panelists. When all five felt dry, ◎ when 3 to 4 ○, × when 2 or less.

F. Hollow Ratio The hollow ratio of the core-sheath hollow fiber was determined by taking a photograph of the fiber shaft in the transverse cross-sectional direction and using this photograph to determine the area ratio.

Example 1 As copolymerized polyester of a hydrophilic component, 194 parts of dimethyl terephthalic acid, 124 parts of ethylene glycol, and 0.1 part of tetrabutyl titanate were added.
After transesterification while distilling off methanol at 30 ° C., an ethylene glycol solution of 0.08 part of trimethyl phosphate, 288 parts of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4000, and Irganox 1010 (manufactured by Ciba Geigy) 0.2 as an antioxidant were used. Parts, 0.2 parts of silicone as defoamer,
And 0.1 part of tetrabutyl titanate,
Polymerization was performed at 250 ° C. for 4 hours under reduced pressure of mmHg to obtain a copolymerized polyester. The proportion of polyethylene glycol copolymerized with this copolymer was 60% by weight. The obtained copolymerized polyester has a moisture absorption ΔMR of 28.
%Met.

The copolymerized polyester is used as a core component, and polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.70 is separately melted as a sheath component so that a core / sheath ratio (weight ratio) = 15/85 from a core / sheath composite hollow die. To obtain an undrawn yarn at a spinning speed of 3000 m / min, and then a draw ratio of 1.4.
The core / sheath composite hollow fiber having a thickness of 75 denier and 24 filaments was obtained by setting the hot pin temperature to 80 ° C. and drawing at a low magnification. The U% of the fiber was 10%. The hollow ratio of the fiber was 4%. This fiber was made into a tubular knit, and the moisture absorption characteristics of the tubular knitted fabric after scouring were measured.
2.8%. The dry feeling of the dyed fabric was good, and all five felt that there was a dry feeling.

Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 Fiberization was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the draw ratio was changed and U% of the fiber was changed. Table 1 shows the obtained fiber properties.
Summarized in In Comparative Example 2, when the U% unevenness was set to 20 or more, many undrawn portions remained, and a satisfactory level of the original yarn could not be obtained.

[0033]

[Table 1] Examples 5 to 9, Comparative Examples 3 and 4 A sheath having a core thickness of 75 denier and 24 filaments in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the copolymerized polyester obtained in Example 1 was used as a core component and the composite ratio was changed. A composite hollow fiber was obtained. The fiber properties are summarized in Table 2. As the core ratio is increased, ΔMR is improved, but a decrease in strong elongation is observed. In Comparative Example 3, satisfactory moisture absorption properties were not obtained.

[0034]

[Table 2] Examples 10 to 12 and Comparative Example 5 Copolymerized polyesters were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the copolymerization amount of polyethylene glycol in the copolymerized polyester was changed. Using this copolymerized polyester as the core component, a core-sheath composite hollow fiber of 75 denier and 24 filaments was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The fiber properties are summarized in Table 3.

[0035]

[Table 3] Example 13 In synthesizing a polyetheresteramide, ε-
340 parts of caprolactam, 18 parts of terephthalic acid, 100 parts of polyethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of 1000,
0.113 parts of IR1330 as an antioxidant, 4.4 parts of 2- (2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl) benzotriazole and 0.01 part of trimethylphosphate as a light stabilizer were charged into a polymerization reaction vessel, and a nitrogen stream was supplied. After heating and stirring at 240 ° C. for 1 hour, 0.1 part of antimony trioxide was added, and 250 ° C.
The polymerization reaction was performed for 4 hours under the condition of 0.5 mmHg or less to obtain a polyetheresteramide block copolymer having a N6 component ratio of 45% by weight. The ΔMR of the polymer was 10.5%.

Except that this polyetheresteramide was used as the core component, a thick core-sheath composite hollow fiber having 75 denier and 24 filaments was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Table 4] Example 14 A thick core-sheath composite fiber was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a concentric core-sheath composite mouthpiece was used instead of the composite hollow mouthpiece. The results are summarized in Table 5.

[0037]

[Table 5]

[0038]

The copolymerized polyester obtained according to the present invention has a very high hygroscopic property, and a synthetic fiber using the same has a sufficient hygroscopic property to obtain comfortable wearing. In addition, it has a dry touch texture, high color fastness and light fastness. The synthetic fibers of the present invention include underwear, shirts and blouses, middle garments, sportswear, slacks,
It is suitable for bedding such as outer garments, linings, sheets, futon covers and the like, and is extremely practical.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of a cross section of a synthetic fiber according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: copolymerized polyester 2: fiber-forming polyester 3: hollow part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A conjugate fiber comprising a hydrophilic component and a fiber-forming polymer as constituent components, and having a moisture absorption / desorption parameter (ΔMR) of 1.0% or more, and a lengthwise direction of the fiber axis. A thick and thin hygroscopic conjugate fiber, wherein the unevenness in thickness is 5 to 20% in Uster Normal U%. 2. The thick and thin hygroscopic conjugate fiber according to claim 1, wherein a compound having a ΔMR of 8% or more is used as the hydrophilic component. 3. The thick and thin hygroscopic composite fiber according to claim 1, wherein one of a polyetheresteramide compound and a polyetherester compound is used as the hydrophilic component. 4. A composition comprising a hydrophilic component as one component and a composite ratio of 5
The thick and thin hygroscopic conjugate fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the amount is from 90 to 90% by weight. 5. The thick and thin hygroscopic conjugate fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conjugate fiber structure has a hollow portion.