GB1586248A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

GB1586248A – Production of fibres
– Google Patents

GB1586248A – Production of fibres
– Google Patents
Production of fibres

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Publication number
GB1586248A

GB1586248A
GB32551/76A
GB3255176A
GB1586248A
GB 1586248 A
GB1586248 A
GB 1586248A
GB 32551/76 A
GB32551/76 A
GB 32551/76A
GB 3255176 A
GB3255176 A
GB 3255176A
GB 1586248 A
GB1586248 A
GB 1586248A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
fibres
gas
path
sol
Prior art date
1977-08-04
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Expired

Application number
GB32551/76A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Original Assignee
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1977-08-04
Filing date
1977-08-04
Publication date
1981-03-18

1977-08-04
Application filed by UK Atomic Energy Authority
filed
Critical
UK Atomic Energy Authority

1977-08-04
Priority to GB32551/76A
priority
Critical
patent/GB1586248A/en

1981-03-18
Publication of GB1586248A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1586248A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

D—TEXTILES; PAPER

D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS

D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION

D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres

D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties

D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece

D04H1/4209—Inorganic fibres

D—TEXTILES; PAPER

D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS

D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres

D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties

D04H1/4209—Inorganic fibres

D04H1/4218—Glass fibres

D04H1/4226—Glass fibres characterised by the apparatus for manufacturing the glass fleece

D—TEXTILES; PAPER

D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS

D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres

D04H1/70—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres

D04H1/72—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged

D—TEXTILES; PAPER

D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS

D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres

D04H1/70—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres

D04H1/736—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged characterised by the apparatus for arranging fibres

D—TEXTILES; PAPER

D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS

D04H3/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length

D04H3/08—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating

D04H3/16—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with bonds between thermoplastic filaments produced in association with filament formation, e.g. immediately following extrusion

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION OF FIBRES (711 We,, UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC
ENERGY AUTHORITY, London;, a British.
Authority, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be. performed, to be particularly described
in and by the following statement: The. present invention prelates. to the pro
duction of fibres and finds an application
in the production of ceramic fibres;
According to one aspect. of the. present
invention a process for the production of
fibres comprises forming a fibre-forming
substance into a fibre, deflecting and support
ing the fibre transversely of the path of
fibre formation by means of a current of
gas whilst at least partially hardening the
fibre,, and collecting the resulting; at least
partially hardened fibre.
The fibre-forming substance is preferably
formed- into a fibre by extruding the fibre
forming substance through an orifice to form
a fibre.
Thus, a preferred process in accordance
with the present invention comprises extrud ing a fibre-forming substance through an orifice-to form a fibre; deflecting-. and. support
ing the fibre transversely of the path of fibre
formation by means of a current of gas
whilst at least partially hardening the fibre,
and collecting the resulting at least partially
hardened fibre.
In one embodiment the process of the
invention may be applied to the. production
of fibres by “melt spinning” and it will be
appreciated that in this embodiment. at least partial hardening will involve cooling of the fibre.
In a.second embodiment the process of the invention may be applied to the production of fibres: by “solution spinning” and it will be appreciated. that in this second embodiment at least partial hardening will involve removalS of at. least somer liquid from the fibre; Thus, for example, where the fibre-forming substance contains water at least partial hardening of the. fibre will involve at Ieast gartial drying of the fibre.
It will be appreciated that “solution spining’.’ need not involve the use of a true solution as the fibre-forming: substance; Thus; for example, a colloidal solution (a sol) or- a dispersion can be used:
Accordingly one preferred embodiment of a process in accordance with: the: invention comprises extruding a fibre-forming substance through an orifice to form a fibre, deflecting and supporting the- fibre transversely of the path of fibre formation by means of a current of gas whilst at least partially drying the fibre,. and collecting. the resulting at. least partially dried fibre.
Preferably a spinnerette is used: to – provide a plurality of orifices to produce a multifilament tow of fibres to be deflected, supported, at least partially hardened and collected in accordance with the invention.
In an embodiment of the invention the current of gas is supplied by one or more- gas jets, and preferably the gas is hot air supplied at a velocity capable of supporting and drying the fibre(s).
Preferably gas is supplied transversely to the path of fibre extrusion. (e.g. substantially normal to the- path of fibre extrusion).
In one particular embodiment of theinven- hot air is! supplied-in a direction. substantially normal- to the- path of fibre extrusion.
The fibres) can be “drawn down” (i.e.
reduced in diameter) whilst supported, in addition to being dried. For example, the fibre can Be carried by the current of gas and progressively drawn down and: dried prior to-being collected:.
The fibres can be collected in blanket form, e.g. on a moving belt.
Our British Patent No 1,265s894 relates to the production of inorganic fibres from sols by spray drying, to- give: gel fibres, followed by calcination to give calcined, inorganic fibres, and similar sols can be used as- the fibre-forming. substances to produce fibres in accordance with the present invention; It:. will be. appreciated. that to produce- ceramic fibre, the at least partially dried gel- fibres produced in accordance with the present invention are calcined.
Ceramic fibres may be polycrystalline. The term “ceramic” as used in this specification includes glasses and glass ceramics.
Fibres can be produced in accordance with the present invention for zirconia, silica, and alumina sols, or mixed sols thereof (e.g. alumino-silicate fibres). Further substances can be introduced into fibres in accordance with the present invention, for example as a “stabiliser”. Such a stabiliser may be a phase stabiliser (e.g. calcia or yttria in the case of zirconia) or a microstructure stabiliser (e.g. magnesia in the case of alumina).
Magnesia can be introduced into fibres for example by the incorporation of magnesium nitrate or magnesia in the starting sol. Calcia or yttria can be introduced in a similar manner.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for the production of fibres comprising a plurality of orifices for forming a fibre-forming substance into a plurality of fibres means for supplying a current of gas such that the fibres can be deflected and supported transversely of the path of fibre formation whilst at least partially hardening the fibres and means for collecting the resulting at least partially hardened fibres.
The apparatus may have a spinnerette to provide a plurality of orifices for producing a multifilament tow of fibres.
The means for supplying a current of gas may be one or more jets.
In one embodiment the arrangement can be such that gas can be supplied in a direction substantially normal to the path of fibre extrusion.
According to a further aspect the present invention provides a fibre prepared by a process in accordance with the invention.
According to yet a further aspect the present invention provides a ceramic fibre produced by calcining a fibre prepared by a process in accordance with the invention.
The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the single figure of the drawing accompanying the Provisional Specification which is a diagrammatic representation of one apparatus for carrying out the process of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawing there is provided a casing 1 having a spinnerette 2 and a gas jet 3. A conveyor belt 4, operating on rollers 5, is provided at an outlet 6 in the casing 1.
In operation, a fibre-forming substance (e.g. a sol of alumina, zirconia or silica, or a mixture thereof) is extruded through the orifices (not shown) of spinnerette 2 to form fibres 7 and hot air is supplied through the gas jet 3 at a velocity (e.g. 45 ft./sec.) such that the fibres 7 are “blown-out” and supported, as shown, in region 7b.
The fibres are at least partially dried in region 7b and then on leaving the influence of the air from gas jet 3 fall through outlet 6 onto conveyor belt 4 to form a blanket, or mat, of fibres represented as 8. It will be appreciated that some drying of the fibres 7 can be carried out in region 7a so as to reduce the risk of fibres 7 coalescing in region 7b.
The fibres can be conveyed directly to a calcining furnace (not shown) by the conveyor belt 4 in order to produce ceramic fibres.
With continuous extrusion through the spinnerette 2, a blanket, or mat, of fibres 8 can be withdrawn continuously on the conveyor belt 4.
Discontinuous lengths of fibre can be produced in accordance with the present invention. If desired, by appropriate control of the deflecting and supporting of the fibre and the extrusion rate, continuous fibres can be produced.
The present invention is illustrated by the following example:
EXAMPLE
Apparatus similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing was used to produce fibres in accordance with the present invention.
A zirconium nitrate/calcium nitrate sol was prepared (in accordance with our
British Patent No. 1,181,794) which had a viscosity of 2400 poise and an equivalent oxide content of 0-820 kg 1-1, (the composition was such that the zirconia product would contain 6 wt% calcia).
This sol was supplied to a 200 hole spinnerette (hole diameter 200 Fm) at a rate of 0-21 min-l by means of a metering pump so as to form fibres; the inlet pressure on the metering pump was 140 kNm-2 (20 psi) and the inlet pressure on the spinnerette was 3-1 MNm-3′ (450 psi). By means of a jet air at – 100″C was supplied at 45 ft/sec.
in a direction substantially normal to the path of fibre extrusion so that the fibres produced by the spinnerette were deflected, supported and dried. The jet orifice was 3 inches from the fibres and air was supplied to the jet at 20 psi.
The resulting discontinuous fibres were collected and calcined to give a product which was 100% fibre typically of 10 t*m diameter and 10 cm length.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
1. A process for the production of fibres comprising forming a fibre-forming substance into a fibre, deflecting and supporting the fibre transversely of the path of fibre
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (25)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. produced in accordance with the present invention are calcined. Ceramic fibres may be polycrystalline. The term “ceramic” as used in this specification includes glasses and glass ceramics. Fibres can be produced in accordance with the present invention for zirconia, silica, and alumina sols, or mixed sols thereof (e.g. alumino-silicate fibres). Further substances can be introduced into fibres in accordance with the present invention, for example as a “stabiliser”. Such a stabiliser may be a phase stabiliser (e.g. calcia or yttria in the case of zirconia) or a microstructure stabiliser (e.g. magnesia in the case of alumina). Magnesia can be introduced into fibres for example by the incorporation of magnesium nitrate or magnesia in the starting sol. Calcia or yttria can be introduced in a similar manner. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for the production of fibres comprising a plurality of orifices for forming a fibre-forming substance into a plurality of fibres means for supplying a current of gas such that the fibres can be deflected and supported transversely of the path of fibre formation whilst at least partially hardening the fibres and means for collecting the resulting at least partially hardened fibres. The apparatus may have a spinnerette to provide a plurality of orifices for producing a multifilament tow of fibres. The means for supplying a current of gas may be one or more jets. In one embodiment the arrangement can be such that gas can be supplied in a direction substantially normal to the path of fibre extrusion. According to a further aspect the present invention provides a fibre prepared by a process in accordance with the invention. According to yet a further aspect the present invention provides a ceramic fibre produced by calcining a fibre prepared by a process in accordance with the invention. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the single figure of the drawing accompanying the Provisional Specification which is a diagrammatic representation of one apparatus for carrying out the process of the present invention. Referring now to the drawing there is provided a casing 1 having a spinnerette 2 and a gas jet 3. A conveyor belt 4, operating on rollers 5, is provided at an outlet 6 in the casing 1. In operation, a fibre-forming substance (e.g. a sol of alumina, zirconia or silica, or a mixture thereof) is extruded through the orifices (not shown) of spinnerette 2 to form fibres 7 and hot air is supplied through the gas jet 3 at a velocity (e.g. 45 ft./sec.) such that the fibres 7 are “blown-out” and supported, as shown, in region 7b. The fibres are at least partially dried in region 7b and then on leaving the influence of the air from gas jet 3 fall through outlet 6 onto conveyor belt 4 to form a blanket, or mat, of fibres represented as 8. It will be appreciated that some drying of the fibres 7 can be carried out in region 7a so as to reduce the risk of fibres 7 coalescing in region 7b. The fibres can be conveyed directly to a calcining furnace (not shown) by the conveyor belt 4 in order to produce ceramic fibres. With continuous extrusion through the spinnerette 2, a blanket, or mat, of fibres 8 can be withdrawn continuously on the conveyor belt 4. Discontinuous lengths of fibre can be produced in accordance with the present invention. If desired, by appropriate control of the deflecting and supporting of the fibre and the extrusion rate, continuous fibres can be produced. The present invention is illustrated by the following example: EXAMPLE Apparatus similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to the drawing was used to produce fibres in accordance with the present invention. A zirconium nitrate/calcium nitrate sol was prepared (in accordance with our British Patent No. 1,181,794) which had a viscosity of 2400 poise and an equivalent oxide content of 0-820 kg 1-1, (the composition was such that the zirconia product would contain 6 wt% calcia). This sol was supplied to a 200 hole spinnerette (hole diameter 200 Fm) at a rate of 0-21 min-l by means of a metering pump so as to form fibres; the inlet pressure on the metering pump was 140 kNm-2 (20 psi) and the inlet pressure on the spinnerette was 3-1 MNm-3′ (450 psi). By means of a jet air at – 100″C was supplied at 45 ft/sec. in a direction substantially normal to the path of fibre extrusion so that the fibres produced by the spinnerette were deflected, supported and dried. The jet orifice was 3 inches from the fibres and air was supplied to the jet at 20 psi. The resulting discontinuous fibres were collected and calcined to give a product which was 100% fibre typically of 10 t*m diameter and 10 cm length. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A process for the production of fibres comprising forming a fibre-forming substance into a fibre, deflecting and supporting the fibre transversely of the path of fibre
formation by means of a current of gas whilst at least partially hardening the fibre, and collecting the resulting at least partially hardened fibre.

2. A process as claimed in Claim 1, comprising extruding a fibre-forming substance through an orifice to form a fibre, deflecting and supporting the fibre transversely of the path of fibre formation by means of a current of gas whilst at least partially hardening the fibre, and collecting the resulting at least partially hardened fibre.

3. A process as claimed in Claim 1 or
Claim 2, comprising extruding a fibreforming substance through an orifice to form a fibre, deflecting and supporting the fibre transversely of the path of fibre formation by means of a current of gas whilst at least partially drying the fibre, and collecting the resulting at least partially dried fibre.

4. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a spinnerette is used to provide a plurality of orifices to produce a multifilament tow of fibres.

5. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the current of gas is supplied by one or more jets.

6. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein gas is supplied transversly to the path of fibre extrusion.

7. A process as claimed in Claim 6, wherein gas is supplied in a direction substantially normal to the path of fibre extrusion.

8. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gas is hot air supplied at a velocity capable of supporting and drying the fibre (or fibres).

9. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a fibre is drawn down whilst supported.

10. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein fibre is collected in blanket form.

11. A process as claimed in Claim 10, wherein fibre is collected on a moving belt.

12. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fibre-forming substance is a sol such that the resulting at least partially hardened fibre comprises a gel fibre.

13. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sol comprises a zirconia sol, a silica sol, an alumina sol, or a mixed sol thereof.

14. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resulting fibre contains magnesia, calcia, or yttria.

15. A process as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the resulting at least partially hardened fibre is calcined.

16. Apparatus for the production of fibres comprising a plurality of orifices for forming a fibre-forming substance into a plurality of fibres, means for supplying a current of gas such that the fibres can be deflected and supported transversely of the path of fibre formation whilst at least partially hardening the fibres, and means for collecting the resulting at least partially hardened fibres.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 having a spinnerette to provide a plurality of orifices for producing a multifilament tow of fibres.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the means for providing a current of gas comprises one or more jets.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of
Claims 16-18, wherein the arrangement is such that gas can be supplied in a direction substantially normal to the path of fibre extrusion.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of
Claims 16 to 19 wherein the means for collecting the resulting fibre comprises a conveyor belt.

21. A fibre whenever prepared by a process as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15.

22. A ceramic fibre produced by calcining a fibre as claimed in Claim 21.

23. A process for the production of fibres substantially as hereinbefore disclosed with reference to the Example.

24. Apparatus for the production of fibres substantially as hereinbefore disclosed with reference to the single figure of the drawing accompanying the Provisional specification.

25. A fibre substantially as hereinbefore disclosed with reference to the Example.

GB32551/76A
1977-08-04
1977-08-04
Production of fibres

Expired

GB1586248A
(en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB32551/76A

GB1586248A
(en)

1977-08-04
1977-08-04
Production of fibres

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB32551/76A

GB1586248A
(en)

1977-08-04
1977-08-04
Production of fibres

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Publication Number
Publication Date

GB1586248A
true

GB1586248A
(en)

1981-03-18

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Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB32551/76A
Expired

GB1586248A
(en)

1977-08-04
1977-08-04
Production of fibres

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GB1586248A
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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

DE3805193A1
(en)

1988-02-19
1989-08-31
Nmi Naturwissenschaftl U Mediz
Process for producing high-strength ceramic fibres and shaped bodies and use thereof

1977

1977-08-04
GB
GB32551/76A
patent/GB1586248A/en
not_active
Expired

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

DE3805193A1
(en)

1988-02-19
1989-08-31
Nmi Naturwissenschaftl U Mediz
Process for producing high-strength ceramic fibres and shaped bodies and use thereof

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