Method and device for manufacturing splittable fibers and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device ( 2 ) for manufacturing splittable fibers ( 1 ), by means of which it is possible to conduct the melt streams of the two or more mutually incompatible polymer components (A, B) in the melt spinning process in such a way that the flow of one polymer stream around individual polymer streams, or intermingling of the various polymer streams, is prevented, in particular for greatly different weight proportions of the polymer components (A, B). For this purpose, distribution holes ( 6 ) are provided upstream from at least one spinning capillary ( 4 ), and the cross-sectional area of the at least one distribution hole ( 6 ) associated with a particular polymer component (A, B) is adjusted as a function of the volumetric flow of the particular polymer component (A, B).

1 . Method for manufacturing splittable fibers by means of a melt spinning process, using at least two mutually incompatible polymer components, wherein distribution holes are provided upstream from the at least one spinning capillary, and the cross-sectional area of the at least one distribution hole associated with a particular polymer component is adjusted as a function of the volumetric flow of the particular polymer component. 
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the distribution hole associated with a particular polymer component is adjusted in such a way that the ratio of the sums of the cross-sectional areas of the distribution holes % associated with a particular polymer component approximately corresponds to or is equal to the volumetric flow ratio of the polymer components used, with a deviation of 0 to less than or equal to 20%, preferably less than or equal to 10%, and the volumetric flow ratio is not equal to 1. 
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the minimum proportion of one polymer component is less than or equal to 20% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 10% by weight, particularly preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, very particularly preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight. 
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution holes are used in circular, curved, slotted, star-shaped, and/or polygonal, in particular triangular or quadrangular, cross-sectional shapes. 
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution holes are configured in a circular pattern, star pattern, and/or in a row. 
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mutually incompatible polymer components are associated with the respective distribution holes in an individually alternating or blockwise alternating manner. 
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein the polymer components of one type are associated with the respective distribution holes in equally sized blocks. 
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer components are selected from thermoplastic polymers, including polyesters, polyolefins, polyethylene and/or polypropylene, polylactates and/or polyamides. 
   
   
       9 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one polymer component having a lower weight proportion is used as polymer component with a lower melting temperature. 
   
   
       10 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one polymer component having a lower weight proportion is used as adhesive or binding component for manufacturing splittable fibers or filaments. 
   
   
       11 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of a particular distribution hole is varied by the exchange and/or addition of component parts. 
   
   
       12 . Splittable fibers manufactured by a method according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       13 . Splittable fibers, manufactured by a method according to  claim 1 , containing at least two mutually incompatible polymer components, whereby at least one polymer component has a proportion of less than or equal to 20% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 10% by weight, particularly preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, very particularly preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, and the individual polymer components are composed of segments that are distinctly separate from one another, and preferably comprise segments having the same size cross-sectional shape for each particular type of polymer component. 
   
   
       14 . Use of splittable fibers according to  claim 12  for producing nonwoven fabrics, in particular for filters, clothing, hygienic or cleaning products, or tufted products, in particular carpet backings. 
   
   
       15 . Device, for a method according to  claim 1 , for manufacturing splittable fibers from at least two mutually incompatible polymer components by means of a melt spinning process in which distribution holes are provided upstream from at least one spinning capillary, and the cross-sectional area of the at least one distribution hole associated with a particular polymer component is adjusted to the volumetric flow of the particular polymer component. 
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the ratio of the sums of the cross-sectional areas of the distribution holes associated with a particular polymer component approximately corresponds to or is equal to the volumetric flow ratio of the polymer components used, with a deviation of 0 to less than or equal to 20%, preferably less than or equal to 10%. 
   
   
       17 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the distribution holes have circular, curved, slotted, star-shaped, and/or polygonal, in particular triangular or quadrangular, cross-sectional shapes. 
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the distribution holes are configured in a circular pattern, star pattern, and/or in a row. 
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the distribution holes are associated with the particular polymer components in an individually alternating or blockwise alternating manner. 
   
   
       20 . Device according to  claim 19 , wherein the distribution holes for one type of polymer component are provided in equally sized blocks. 
   
   
       21 . Device according to  claim 15 , wherein the cross-sectional area of a particular distribution hole may be varied by the exchange and/or addition of component parts.