Fluoropolymer fiber composite bundle

Abstract

A composite bundle for repeated stress applications comprising at least one fiber of a high strength material, at least one fiber of fluoropolymer, wherein the fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of about 40% by weight or less.

1 . A composite bundle for repeated stress applications comprising: 
 (a) at least one high strength fiber having a tenacity of greater than 15 g/d; and    (b) at least one monofilament or multifilament fluoropolymer fiber;    wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 40% by weight.    
   
   
       2 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 35% by weight.  
   
   
       3 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 30% by weight.  
   
   
       4 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 26% by weight.  
   
   
       5 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 20% by weight.  
   
   
       6 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 15% by weight.  
   
   
       7 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of between about 1% and 10% by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount of about 1% by weight.  
   
   
       9 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is a monofilament.  
   
   
       10 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is low density of less than about 1 g/cc.  
   
   
       11 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is a multifilament.  
   
   
       12 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber comprises a filler.  
   
   
       13 . The composite bundle of  claim 12  wherein said filler comprises carbon.  
   
   
       14 . The composite bundle of  claim 12  wherein said filler is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum disulfide, graphite, hydrocarbon, and silicone base fluid.  
   
   
       15 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein the high strength fiber is para-aramid.  
   
   
       16 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein the high strength fiber is liquid crystal polymer (LCP).  
   
   
       17 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein the high strength fiber is polybenzoxazole (PBO).  
   
   
       18 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein the high strength fiber is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).  
   
   
       19 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of high strength fibers are present and comprise a combination of UHMWPE and LCP.  
   
   
       20 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein the high strength fiber is high tenacity metal.  
   
   
       21 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein the high strength fiber is high tenacity mineral.  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is PTFE.  
   
   
       24 . The composite bundle of  claim 1  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is ePTFE.  
   
   
       25 . A composite bundle comprising: 
 (a) at least one fiber of a material selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal polymer and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and combinations thereof;    (b) at least one monofilament or multifilament fluoropolymer fiber;    wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is present in an amount between about 1% and 40%.    
   
   
       26 . A composite bundle as defined in  claim 25  wherein said fluoropolymer fiber is PTFE and is present in an amount of between about 1% and 15%.  
   
   
       27 . A rope comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       28 . A belt comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       29 . A net comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       30 . A sling comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       31 . A cable comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       32 . A woven fabric comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       33 . A nonwoven fabric comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       34 . A tubular textile comprising at least one composite bundle as defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       35 . A method of reducing abrasion- or friction-related wear of a fiber bundle in repeated stress applications while substantially maintaining the strength of the fiber bundle comprising the step of including in the fiber bundle at least one filament of fluoropolymer.