Processability and Properties of a Rayon/Nylon Composite Fiber

The effectiveness of line speed and coating material feed pressure as control parameters in producing a rayon/nylon sheath-core bicomponent fiber has been studied, and the mechanical and sorptive properties of these internally reinforced rayon fibers have been determined. Results indicate that there is a wide range of line speeds and feed pressures under which a stable, completely regenerated viscose rayon coating can be applied to a nylon 6 core fiber, and line speed and viscose feed pressure can be successfully used as process control parameters. The nylon core fibers dominate the mechanical properties, conferring characteristics that should impart strength and durable press performance to the fabrics formed from them. The sorptive characteristics are dominated by the rayon skin, however, and since this skin is unoriented, its contribution is enhanced with respect to that which might be expected from oriented rayon found in neat fibers.