Polyoxadiazole composite fibers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to preparation of a polyoxadiazole composite fiber and a flexible chain polymer which is not a polyoxadiazole polymer and articles produced therefrom.

1 . A composite fiber comprising:
 at least one polyoxadiazole polymer; and   at least one flexible chain polymer, wherein, the flexible chain polymer is not a polyoxadiazole polymer.   
   
   
       2 . The composite fiber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the polyoxadiazole polymer comprises a repeat unit selected from the list consisting of   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       3 . The composite fiber of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the polyoxadiazole polymer comprises at least two repeat units selected from the list consisting of   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       4 . The composite fiber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible chain polymer is selected from the list consisting of 6-nylon, 6,6-nylon, 6,12-nylon, polyaniline, polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), aromatic polyamides, polyvinylpyrrolidione (PVP), and copolymers of polyvinypyrrolidione (PVP).   
   
   
       5 . The composite fiber of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the flexible chain polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidione or a copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidione.   
   
   
       6 . The composite fiber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the polyoxadiazole polymer is a copolymer.   
   
   
       7 . The composite fiber of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the polyoxadiazole copolymer comprises at least two aromatic ring systems selected from the list consisting of:   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       8 . The composite fiber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the composite fiber retains at least 15 percent of its tenacity after exposure to a Xenon lamp for 20 hours.   
   
   
       9 . The composite fiber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the composite fiber is dyeable.   
   
   
       10 . The composite fiber of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible chain polymer is present in an amount between about 2 and 98 percent by weight.   
   
   
       11 . The composite fiber of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the flexible chain polymer is present in an amount between about 5 and 98 percent by weight.   
   
   
       12 . The composite fiber of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the composite fiber retains at least 15 percent of its tenacity after exposure to a Xenon lamp for 20 hours.   
   
   
       13 . The composite fiber of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the composite fiber retains at least 35 percent of its tenacity after exposure to a Xenon lamp for 20 hours.   
   
   
       14 . An article containing the composite fiber of  claim 1 .