METHOD OF PRODUCING FIBRE OR FILM

摘要

A water-absorbent water-insoluble fibre or film is produced by extruding an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer into a gaseous medium to form fibre or film. The extruded fibre or film is collected at a moisture content of 8 to 25 % based on the dry weight of flee fibre or film and is further dried at a temperture no greater than 100 .degree.C before crosslinking the fibre or film at a temperature in the range 125 to 250 .degree.C to a degree sufficient that the crosslinked fibre or film is water-insoluble. The fibre or film entering the crosslinking step has a moisture content which is reduced, preferably by at least 5 %, and which is in the range 0 to 10 %. Heat-crosslinked fibre is preferably treated with moist air after crosslinking to raise the moisture content of the fibre to at least 10 %, particularly if the fibre is for textile processing. Water- absorbent water-insoluble coatings can be produced by a simi- lar process: