Stabilized ultra high molecular weight polyolefin fiber

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber coated with a coating composition, wherein the coating composition contains a UV stabilizer, characterized in that the amount of UV stabilizer is between 2 wt % and 80 wt. % compared to the total weight of the coating composition based on solids. The UV absorber can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxybenzophenones, hydroxyphenylbenzotriazoles, oxalanilides, phenyl esters, benzooxazinones, cyanoacrylates, formamidine, benzylidene malonates and hydroxyphenyl triazines and combinations thereof. Such fibers are particularly useful in ropes and fishing nets.

1 . An ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber coated with a coating composition, wherein the coating composition contains a UV stabilizer, characterized in that the amount of UV stabilizer is between 2 wt % and 80 wt. % compared to the total weight of the coating composition based on solids. 
     
     
         2 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the UV absorber is capable of absorbing UV radiation in the range of 290 to 400 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The high strength fiber according to claim wherein the UV absorber is selected from the group consisting of hydroxybenzophenones, hydroxyphenylbenzotriazoles, oxalanilides, phenyl esters, benzooxazinones, cyanoacrylates, formamidine, benzylidene malonates and hydroxyphenyl triazines or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 3 , wherein the UV stabiliser isselected from hydroxybenzotriazoles and hydroxyphenyl triazines. 
     
     
         5 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 4 , wherein the UV stabliliser is a compound having the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         6 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 1 , which is a high performance polyethylene (HPPE) fiber, made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 5 dl/g determined in decalin at 135° C. 
     
     
         7 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a cross-linked silicone polymer as a carrier for the UV absorber. 
     
     
         8 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 7 , wherein the degree of cross-linking of the cross-linked silicone polymer is at least 20%. 
     
     
         9 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 7 , wherein the coating comprising the cross-linked silicone polymer is obtained by applying to the fiber, a coating composition comprising a cross-linkable silicone polymer; and
 cross-linking the cross-linkable silicone polymer.   
     
     
         10 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 9 , wherein the cross-linkable silicone polymer comprises a silicone polymer having a cross-linkable end-group, preferably an C 2 -C 6  alkylene end group. 
     
     
         11 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 9 , wherein the cross-linkable silicone polymer has the formula:
   CH 2 ═CH—(Si(CH 3 ) 2 O) n —CH═CH 2   (1)
   wherein n is a number from 2 to 200.   
     
     
         12 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 9 , wherein the coating composition further comprises a cross-linker having the formula:
   Si(CH 3 ) 3 O—(SiCH 3 HO) m —Si(CH 3 ) 3   (2)
   wherein m is a number of 2 to 200.   
     
     
         13 . The high strength fiber according to  claim 9 , wherein the coating composition further comprises a platinum catalyst. 
     
     
         14 . Use of a high strength fiber according to  claim 1  for making a rope or a fishing net. 
     
     
         15 . An article, preferably a rope or fishing net, containing high strength fibers, wherein the article is coated with a coating composition containing a UV absorber.