US1998544A - Agent for sizing textile fibers - Google Patents

Description

Fatented pr. 23, 19,35

m'riuwr OFFICE AGENT FOR. TEXTILE FIBERS Kurt Jochum and Arthur Voss, Frankfort-onthe-Main,

Hermann Geier, Mainz-Kastel, and Ewald Dickhiuser, Gersthofen,

near Augsburg Germany, assignors to I. G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschatt, Frankfort on the -Main,

Germany No Drawing. Application April 19, 1932, Serial No. 606,284. In Germany May 16, 1931 4 4 Claims. (CI. 91-68) The present invention relates to agents for sizing textile fibers.

We have found t at a particularly favorable sizing effect is obta' ed by using a mixture of g ,at least two water-soluble .polyvinyl compounds Q vinyl alcohol; for examplqa containing hydroxyl-g roups, the viscosity of one 01' said polyvinyl compounds materially differing from that of the other, the diflerence of the viscosities of two polyvlnyl compounds having ,to be at least K=l0 (see Kolloid-Zeitschrift, 49, 1929, page 135) For instance, a mixture of a polyvinyl alcohol of ahigh viscosity, K-value= 70-80, and a polyvinyl alcohol of a low viscosity, K-value=20-50, may be used. A similar efiect is produced when other polyvinyl compounds, provided they are soluble in water, are used, ,such as the water-soluble derivatives of polyproduct of the reaction of an alkylene oxide on a polyvinyl alcohol. For instance, by the combination of a polyvinyl alcohol of a high viscosity with a derivative of low viscosity obtained by causing a polyvinyl alcohol to react with ethylene oxide, it is possible to obtain a sizing agent which with regard to the sizing effect and the soft feel of the sized material is superior to an agent consisting of either component.

' The improved sizing effect is based on the following fact: A polyvinyl compound of alow viscosity penetrates very readily into the fiber and causes the 'various capillaries to unite with one another, thus producing a soft sized material. A polyvinyl compound of a igh viscosity does not penetrate into the thread but in the "form of "a film surrounds the surface of the thread, thus enclosing the various capillary threads; the sized material thus obtained is rather hard. If, however, mixtures of polyvinyl compounds of diflerent viscosities are used a sizing agent is obtained which penetrates into the thread, that is to say which unites the various capillary threads with one another, and also in the form of a film surrounds the threads, thus rendering the sized material resistant to friction. The sized material thus obtained-possesses a considerably softer feel than that of the material obtained when a polyvinyl compound of a high viscosity is alone used. 7

Furthermore there may be added to the mix-, tures of polyvinyl compounds compounds of a high molecular weight containing hydroxylgroups, for instance the polymeric products obtained by the condensation of polyhydric alcohols, particularly of filhyecerin; furthermore there may also be added water-soluble products obtained by chemical reaction or by degradation from carbohydrates, such' as methyl cellulose, dextrin, or the like. Sugar-like substances, such as glucose and cane sugar, likewise have a favorable action-on the sizing eilect of the polyvinyl alcohol; likewise the degradation products. obtained by a catalytic reduction of carbohydrates, for instance dimethoxytrioxyhexane obtained from methylcellulose. The condensation products from urea and glycerin and other condensation products containing hydroxyl and nitrogen, such as triethanolamine, may likewise be used.

The following examples serve to illustrate .the' invention, but they are not intended to limit it thereto,,the parts being by weight:

1. 60 parts of a polyvinyl viscosity, K-value='76 tisee Idolloid-Zeitschrift", 49, 1 29, page 135), obtained by saponlrying a polyvinyl ester which is still only capable of swelling in organic solvents, are intimately mixed by treatment in a ball-mill with 40 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol of an inferior viscosity, obtained from polyvinyl acetate having a K-vaiue of 42. An aqueous solution of 1.5 per cent. strength of the mixture thus made is used for sizing artificial silk. A well-sized material oi a soft feel is obtained.

2. 60 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol obtained from polyvinyl acetate and of a high viscosity (K-value=75) which is prepared by heating vinyl acetate in the presence of sodium perborate and acetic anhydride, but in the absence 0! a solvent or a diluent, are introduced at about 60 G. into 710 parts of water together with parts'ot polyvinyl alcohol of a low viscosity (K-value=25) obtainable by saponiflcation of polyvinyl ch oracetate. The solution is diluted with 5 times the quantity of water and then used for sizing acetate silk. Well-sized threads of good soitness are obtained.

3. 75 parts of polyvinyl alcohol of a high viscosity, as prescribed in Example 1, are dissolved in 500 parts of hot water. 25 parts of hetero-polymeric carboxylic acid of a relatively low viscosity (K-value=30), obtainable by a joint polymerization of equimolecular quantities of vinyl chloride and maleic anhydrlde. are intro-:- duced into 200 parts of' an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide 0153 per cent. strength; thecarboxylic acid dissolves during this operation with simultaneous saponiiication of the halogen whereby a polyvinyl alcohol is formed which is partly condensed with maleic' anhydride. The solutions are mixed together and the product is alcohol of a high pH-value of 7-8 and can be used with very good 7 success for sizing artificial silk.

5. parts of a polyvinyl alcohol of a high viscosity and having a K-value of about 75 and 15 parts of a product obtained by causing ethylene oxide to act upon a polyvinyl alcohol of a low viscosity (K-value=30), are together made into a paste with 1000 parts of cold water. This paste is thendissolved by heating it to 60 C., while stirring. Artificial silk sized with this solution has a soft feel and is well-sized. I

6. 50 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol of a high viscosity and having a K-value of 78, 50 parts of a product obtained by partially saponifying polyvinyl acetate of a low viscosity (K-value=30) and still containing one third of the acetyl groups,

which product is soluble in water and in ethanol, and 3 parts of borax are stirred into 900 parts of cold water and dissolved by heating. There is obtained a mass which is gelatinous at roomtemperature. 50 parts of this jelly are diluted with 950 parts of water and then used for sizing acetate silk.

7. 60 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol of a high viscosity which is prepared as described in Example 2 are introduced at about 60 C. into 710 parts of water together with 30 parts of a product of a, low viscosity (K'-value=25) obtained by saponifying a mixed polymerization product from equimolecular quantities of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloracetate. The solution obtained is diluted with 5 times the quantity of waterand'then used for sizing acetate silk. There is obtained a well-sized material of a very soft feel.

8. A solution in 970 parts of water of 15 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol of low viscosity (K-value about 50), obtained by saponifying polyvinyl acetate, and 15 parts of a water-soluble derivative of polyvinyl alcohol of a high viscosity (K-value=70),.obtained by partially saponifying the said polyvinyl alcohol with laurlc acid, can be used with verygood success as sizing liquor for sizing hanks of artificial silk or artificial silk in a sizing machine.

9. 50 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol of an average viscosity and having a K-value of 60 and i 25 parts of a syrupy polymerization product of a low viscosity from methyl vinyl ether are together dissolved, while stirring, in 625 parts of cold water. Artificial silk sized with this solution is well-sized and distinguished by a very good softness.

In the following claims there is to be understood by the term water-soluble polyvinyl compounds containing hydroxyl-groups "the polyvinyl alcohols and the water-soluble derivatives of polyvinyl alcohols and by the term K-value" the value of viscosity (see Kolloid-Zeitschrift". 49, 1929, page 135).

We claim:

1. An agent for sizing textile fibers comprising a mixture of at least two water-soluble polyvinyl compounds containing hydroxyl-groups, the viscosity of one of said polyvinyl compounds differing from that of one of the others by at least K=10 and in such proportions as to constitute an effective sizing agent for viscose silk or cellulose acetate silk.

2. An agent for sizing textile fibers comprising a mixture of at least two polyvinyl alcohols, the viscosity of one of which differs from that of one of the others by at least K=1O and in such proportions as to constitute an eifective sizing agent for viscose silk or cellulose acetate silk. v

3. An agent for sizing textile fibers comprising a mixture of two polyvinyl alcohols, the viscosity of one of which differs from that of the other by at least K=10 and in such proportions as to constitute an effective sizing agent for viscose silk or cellulose acetate silk.

4. An agent for sizing textile fibers comprising a mixture of a polyvinyl alcohol of a highviscosity, K-value=70-80 and a polyvinyl alcohol of a low viscosity, K-value=-50 in such proportions as to constitute an eifective sizing agent for viscose silk or cellulose acetate silk.

KURT JOCHUM. ARTHUR voss. HERMANN GEIER. EWALD DICKHKUSER.