Process for creating fabrics with branched fibrils and such fibrillated fabrics

Abstract

The present process involves applying a plasticizer- or solvent-containing solution to a subject fabric, preferably under heated conditions, and then mechanically abrading the treated fabric. The process results in the rearrangement of the fabric structure, as a plurality of branched fibrils are created along the length of the yarn filaments. Thus, the molecular weight of the fabric's yarns and, therefore, the strength of the polymer chains are maintained. Fabrics made from this process, which exhibit a silk-like hand that results from the presence of multiple integral fibrils and branched fibrils, are also provided.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A woven textile fabric comprised of a plurality of yarns, each of said yarns comprising a plurality of continuous filaments, characterized in that from at least some of said filament yarns have multiple fibrils and branched fibrils extending therefrom, said multiple fibrils and said branched fibrils providing said textile fabric with a silk-like hand.  
     
     
         27 . The textile fabric of  claim 26  wherein each of said fibrils is attached to said filaments on at least one end of said fibrils.  
     
     
         28 . The textile fabric of  claim 27  wherein said fibrils are attached to said filaments on both ends of said fibrils.  
     
     
         29 . The textile fabric of  claim 26  wherein a plurality of said filaments is broken and said fibrils extend from end portions of said broken filaments.  
     
     
         30 . The textile fabric of  claim 26  wherein said multiple fibrils and said branched fibrils are present on a face side and a back side of said fabric.  
     
     
         31 . The textile fabric of  claim 26  wherein said continuous filament yarns comprise fibers that are selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polypropylenes, olefins, polyolefins, polyurethanes, aramids, acrylics, modacrylics, blends of any one of these fibers with one or more of these fibers, and blends of any one of these fibers with natural fibers.  
     
     
         32 . The textile fabric of  claim 31  wherein said continuous filament yarns are polyester.