The present invention relates to inorganic fibres having a composition comprising: 65.7 to 70.8 wt % SiO.sub.2; 27.0 to 34.2 wt % CaO; 0.10 to 2.0 wt % MgO; and optional other components providing the balance up to 100 wt %,
wherein the sum of SiO.sub.2 and CaO is greater than or equal to 97.8 wt %; and the other components, when present, comprise no more than 0.80 wt % Al.sub.2O.sub.3; and wherein the amount of MgO and other components are configured to inhibit the formation of surface crystallite grains upon heat treatment at 1100° C. for 24 hours, wherein said surface crystallite grains comprise an average crystallite size in a range of from 0.0 to 0.90 μm.

The invention relates to a method for thermally stabilizing melt-spun PAN precursors. For this purpose, the invention provides a continuous method for producing a thermally stabilized multifilament thread made of a meltable copolymer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), wherein a pre-stabilized multifilament thread is thermally stabilized and in the process at least temporarily stretched. The invention additionally relates to a thermally stabilized multifilament thread which can be obtained according to a corresponding method and to a carbon fiber which is made of the correspondingly thermally stabilized multifilament thread.

A nonwoven recyclable fabric and associated methods are provided. The fabric is formed from 100% polyester, and may also include surface coatings such as hydrophilic coatings to promote heat transfer as well moisture vapor transmission rates and/or a silicone coating to promote fabric smoothness and reduce abrasiveness of the fabric.

Provided are a polycarbonate fiber having a specific orientation degree and/or a specific birefringence value, a fiber structure as well as a resin composite body. The polycarbonate fiber may have an orientation degree (ft) of lower than 0.70, the orientation degree (ft) being defined by the following formula: ft=1−(1.0/C).sup.2, C: obtained sonic velocity (km/sec), and may have a birefringence value of 0.04 or lower. The polycarbonate fiber may comprise a polycarbonate resin having a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of from 12000 to 40000 and/or a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of from 25000 to 80000.

Provided are a polycarbonate fiber having a specific orientation degree and/or a specific birefringence value, a fiber structure as well as a resin composite body. The polycarbonate fiber may have an orientation degree (ft) of lower than 0.70, the orientation degree (ft) being defined by the following formula: ft=1−(1.0/C).sup.2, C: obtained sonic velocity (km/sec), and may have a birefringence value of 0.04 or lower. The polycarbonate fiber may comprise a polycarbonate resin having a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of from 12000 to 40000 and/or a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of from 25000 to 80000.

Methods of preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) preparing a mixture of solids comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a meltable solvent and a polyester; and (b) melt-compounding said mixture of solids; thereby preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition. Fibers produced by the methods are also described, as are yarns and fabrics comprising the fibers.

Methods of preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises: (a) preparing a mixture of solids comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a meltable solvent and a polyester; and (b) melt-compounding said mixture of solids; thereby preparing a lignocellulosic biomass-based thermoplastic composition. Fibers produced by the methods are also described, as are yarns and fabrics comprising the fibers.

Methods of manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament which, in various embodiments, comprise: (A) grinding recycled PET bottles into a group of flakes; (B) washing the flakes; (C) identifying and removing impurities, including impure flakes, from the group of flakes; (D) adding one or more color concentrates to the flakes; (E) passing the group of flakes through an MRS extruder (400) while maintaining the pressure within the MRS portion (420) of the MRS extruder (400) below about 25 millibars; (F) passing the resulting polymer melt through at least one filter (450) having a micron rating of less than about 50 microns; and (G) forming the recycled polymer into bulked continuous carpet filament that consists essentially of recycled PET.

Methods of manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament which, in various embodiments, comprise: (A) grinding recycled PET bottles into a group of flakes; (B) washing the flakes; (C) identifying and removing impurities, including impure flakes, from the group of flakes; (D) adding one or more color concentrates to the flakes; (E) passing the group of flakes through an MRS extruder (400) while maintaining the pressure within the MRS portion (420) of the MRS extruder (400) below about 25 millibars; (F) passing the resulting polymer melt through at least one filter (450) having a micron rating of less than about 50 microns; and (G) forming the recycled polymer into bulked continuous carpet filament that consists essentially of recycled PET.

A high-strength high-modulus graphene/nylon-6 fiber and a preparation method thereof are provided. The fiber is obtained through processing modified graphene and caprolactam with in situ polymerization and high-speed melt spinning. A graphene/nylon-6 composite is provided, which is obtained through compositing the modified graphene, the caprolactam and an additive. Based on the composite, a graphene/nylon-6 fabric with a permanent far-infrared healthcare function and a graphene/nylon-6 fabric with an ultraviolet protective property are provided, whose far-infrared property and ultraviolet protective property will not be attenuated due to an increase of fabric washing times, having a great market potential.