Verfahren zum Imprägnieren von Fasern und imprägnierte Faser.

摘要

A method of producing a low cost impregnated and coated fiber useful in forming pump, valve, expansion joint, hydraulic cylinder and similar packings capable of resisting high caustic concentrations is provided. In accordance with this method a relatively low cost yarn, such as rayon, is simultaneously subjected to a spreading operation and passed through a highly alkaline tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) solution. As the yarn fibers are spread from a fiber bundle to a flat ribbon-like array of spaced parallel fibers, the fibers swell or "balloon" thus allowing the TFE to completely penetrate the interior of each fiber. A subsequent coating step insures that the exterior of each fiber is completely coated with the TFE solution. Fibers produced according to the present process are characterized by substantially lower cost than available materials, are completely caustic resistant at a pH approaching or exceeding 14, and have a long, useful service life in a variety of different environments.