MONOFILAMENTS COMPRISED OF A POLYMER BLEND OF A THERMOPLASTIC POLYESTER, A THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE AND A CARBODIIMIDE

摘要

An oriented, thermoplastic monofilament and industrial textiles made therefrom, wherein the monofilaments are comprised of a polymer blend including 50 - 70% pbw (parts by weight) of a thermoplastic polyester, preferably medium to high intrinsic viscosity polyethylene terephthalate polyester, 25 - 35% pbw of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and 5% pbw to about 15% pbw of a polycarbodiimide masterbatch composition sufficient to provide at least 0.75% pbw of an active polycarbodiimide in the extruded monofilament. The polymer blend optionally includes an effective amount of an organosilicon compound that is polymerized into either the polyester or polyurethane components either prior to or during their blending and extrusion. Industrial fabrics, in particular woven papermakers forming fabrics including monofilaments comprising this blend as at least a portion of their components, exhibit improved physical properties in comparison with similar fabrics not including the polymer blend.