| PATENT NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT GRANT DATE | September 7, 1999 |
| PATENT TITLE |
Polyurethaneureas and spandex made therefrom |
| PATENT ABSTRACT | New polyurethaneurea polymers and spandex made therefrom, based on certain glycols, MDI and a diamine chain extender mixture containing high proportions of 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine and prepared at selected capping ratios, are provided |
| PATENT INVENTORS | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT ASSIGNEE | This data is not available for free |
| PATENT FILE DATE | March 26, 1998 |
| PATENT CLAIMS |
We claim: 1. A polyurethaneurea polymer consisting essentially of the product of: a polyether glycol selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of tetrahydrofuran and a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran monomers; 1,1'-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene); and a diamine chain extender(s) wherein at least one diamine is 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine present to an extent of at least 50 mole % of the mixture of diamines when the glycol is said homopolymer and at least 55 mole % when the glycol is said copolymer; wherein the range of ratios of said bis-isocyanate to said glycol is ______________________________________ % MPMD capping ratio ______________________________________ for said homopolymer, 50 1.81-2.07 60 1.87-2.15 70 1.93-2.23 80 1.99-2.31 90 2.05-2.39 100 2.10-2.50 and for said copolymer, 55 2.28-2.67 60 2.33-2.74 70 2.43-2.88 80 2.54-3.01 90 2.65-3.15 100 2.76-3.30. ______________________________________ 2. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 1 wherein said copolymer contains 4-20 mole % of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran monomer. 3. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 2 said copolymer has a number average molecular weight in the range of 3000-4000. 4. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 3 wherein 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine is present to the extent of at least 80 mole % of total chain extender, the remaining chain extender being ethylenediamine. 5. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 2 wherein the 3-methyltetrahydrofuran monomer is present in said copolymer to the extent of 10-15 mole % and the chain extender is 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine. 6. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 1 wherein said polyether glycol is a homopolymer of tetrahydrofuran. 7. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 6 wherein said homopolymer has a number average molecular weight in the range of 1600-2200. 8. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 7 wherein 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine is present to the extent of at least 80 mole % of total chain extender, the remaining chain extender being ethylenediamine. 9. The polyurethaneurea polymer of claim 6 wherein the chain extender is 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine. 10. A spandex spun from a polyurethaneurea polymer consisting essentially of the product of: a polyether glycol selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of tetrahydrofuran and a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran monomers; 1,1'-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene); and a diamine chain extender(s) wherein at least one diamine is 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine present to an extent of at least 50 mole % of the mixture of diamines when the glycol is said homopolymer and at least 55 mole % when the glycol is said copolymer; and wherein the range of ratios of said bis-isocyanate to said glycol is ______________________________________ % MPMD capping ratio ______________________________________ for said homopolymer, 50 1.81-2.07 60 l.87-2.15 70 1.93-2.23 80 1.99-2.31 90 2.05-2.39 100 2.10-2.50 and for said copolymer, 55 2.28-2.67 60 2.33-2.74 70 2.43-2.88 80 2.54-3.01 90 2.65-3.15 100 2.76-3.30. ______________________________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| PATENT DESCRIPTION |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new polyurethaneureas and spandex made therefrom having good heat-set efficiency and, more particularly, it relates to spandex based on selected polyether glycols, made with a high capping ratio and a high proportion of 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine as a chain extender. DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND ART U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,647, to Bretches et al., discloses the use of a 28-32 mole percent 2-methyl-1,5-diaminopentane (MPMD) component in a diamine chain extender mixture (with ethylene diamine) for preparing spandex based on poly(tetramethyleneether) glycol. However, when the MPMD content exceeds 32 mole % or falls below 28 mole %, respectively, physical properties such as break elongation and heat settability suffer and become unacceptable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,899, to Dreibelbis et al., discloses a spandex made from a copolyether glycol of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran, an organic diisocyanate and a mixture of diamines, the mixture containing, e.g., ethylene diamine and a diamine coextender, e.g., 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine, the latter amounting to 20-50 mole percent of the total diamine mixture. However, this spandex must be heat-set at high temperatures generally utilized with commercial yarns containing 6-nylon fibers. Japanese Published Patent Application 09-136937 discloses spandex based on copolyether glycols, organic diisocyanates, and mixtures of nonbranched linear aliphatic diamines with branched chain aliphatic diamines, the latter preferably less than 20 mole % of the total. When a 65/35 mole % mixture of ethylenediamine and 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine was used, there were found substantial high temperature set and problems in practical use. There is still a need for spandex having a desirable balance of properties, that is, a spandex which can be heat-set efficiently at moderate temperatures and, simultaneously, provide a desirable balance of other physical properties such as low load power and high elongation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The composition of the present invention is a polyurethaneurea polymer based on: a polyether glycol selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and a copolymer of tetrahydrofuran and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (3-MeTHF); 1,1'-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene); and a diamine chain extender(s) wherein at least one diamine is 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine (MPMD) present to an extent of at least 50 mole % of the mixture of diamines when the glycol is said homopolymer and at least 55 mole % when the glycol is said copolymer; and wherein the range of ratios of said bisisocyanate to said glycol depends on the amount of MPMD present in said mixture of diamines and on the type of glycol and is determined as follows, ______________________________________ % MPMD capping ratio ______________________________________ homopolymer of THF 50 1.81-2.07 60 1.87-2.15 70 1.93-2.23 80 1.99-2.31 90 2.05-2.39 100 2.10-2.50 copolymer of THF 55 2.28-2.67 and 3-MeTHF 60 2.33-2.74 70 2.43-2.88 80 2.54-3.01 90 2.65-3.15 100 2.76-3.30 ______________________________________ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, "spandex" means a manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain synthetic elastomer comprised of at least 85% by weight of a segmented polyurethane. Spandex is prepared by first reacting a polymeric glycol (for example a polyether glycol) with a diisocyanate to form an NCO-terminated prepolymer (a "capped glycol"), dissolving the capped glycol in a suitable solvent such as dimethylacetamide ("DMAc"), dimethylformamide, or N-methylpyrrolidone and then reacting with a difunctional chain extender (and optionally a minor amount of monofunctional chain terminator such as diethylamine, DEA, to limit the polymer molecular weight) to form a polyurethane. The solution of polyurethane is then dry-spun or wet-spun to form the spandex. Fabrics or yarns which contain spandex in combination with non-elastomeric fibers are typically heat-set to provide the fabric or yarn with good dimensional stability, to shape the finished garment, and for other textile purposes. Typical heat-setting temperatures used in commercial operations are 195.degree. C. for 6,6-nylon, 190.degree. C. for 6-nylon, and 180.degree. C. for cotton. The relatively low temperatures suitable for fibers such as cotton put certain demands on the spandex. For example, if the spandex has an acceptable heat-set efficiency only at temperatures used for the nylons, it cannot be heat-set in a fabric containing cotton, which will be damaged by exposure to such higher temperatures. It was now found surprisingly that a spandex made from a polyether glycol, a diisocyanate, and high proportions of 2-methyl-1,5-pentanediamine chain extender (also referred to as methylpentamethylenediamine, MPMD), can have a highly desirable combination of high heat-set efficiency at moderate temperatures, optimum load power and high elongation. The minimum MPMD content in the diamine chain extender mixture is 50 mole % when the polyether glycol is a homopolymer of THF, poly(tetramethyleneether) glycol, and 55 mole % when the polyether glycol is a copolymer THF and 3-MeTHF. The desirable combination of properties provided by high levels of MPMD can be obtained when a high capping ratio (ratio of diisocyanate to glycol) of 1,1-methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene) ("MDI") to polyether glycol is used. The capping ratios that need to be utilized depend on the type of polyether glycol used and the amount of MPMD present in the diamine chain extender mixture. For example, when the glycol is a homopolymer of THF (for example, having a number average molecular weight in the range of about 1600 to 2200), and MPMD is present to an extent of at least about 50 mole percent of total chain extender (any remaining chain extender being, for example, ethylenediamine, EDA), the capping ratio is in the range of 1.81-2.50, depending on the amount of MPMD present. The higher the proportion of MPMD, the higher the capping ratio needs to be in order to obtain the most desirable balance of properties provided by the spandex of this invention. The capping ratio ranges for poly(tetramethyleneether) glycol, are determined from the tabulation below: ______________________________________ mole % MPMD capping ratio range ______________________________________ 50 1.81-2.07 60 1.87-2.15 70 1.93-2.23 80 1.99-2.31 90 2.05-2.39 100 2.10-2.50 ______________________________________ For MPMD levels between those specifically shown above, capping ratios can be readily interpolated. When the capping ratio is below those shown in the above tabulation, the load power becomes excessively low. At capping ratios greater than those shown above, the elongation-to-break and heat-set efficiency become low, and the load power and percent set become unacceptably high. A spandex with good properties can also be obtained when the polyether glycol is a copolyether glycol of THF and 3-MeTHF. This polymer generally contains about 4-20 mole percent 3-MeTHF. A useful number average molecular weight for such a copolyether glycol is in the range of 3000-4000. As stated above, the amount of MPMD with such copolymers must be at least about 55 mole % of the diamine chain extender mixture. The remainder is preferably EDA. The capping ratio is in the range of about 2.28-3.30 depending on the amount of MPMD present and is determined from the tabulation below: ______________________________________ mole % MPMD capping ratio range ______________________________________ 55 2.28-2.67 60 2.33-2.74 70 2.43-2.88 80 2.54-3.01 90 2.65-3.15 100 2.76-3.30 ______________________________________ For MPMD levels between those specifically shown above, capping ratios can be readily interpolated. Spandex based on such copolyether glycols is preferred for use in the present invention. With such glycols, it is preferred that the chain extender be at least 80 mole % MPMD with the remainder being EDA. An especially preferred spandex is prepared from a copolyether glycol with a THF:3-MeTHF molar ratio of 90-85:10-15 mole %, MDI, a capping ratio in the range of about 2.76-3.30, and MPMD as substantially the only chain extender. In addition to MPMD in the chain extender diamine mixtures, one can utilize diamines such as ethylenediamine (EDA), 1,3-propylenediamine and 1,4-cyclohexylenediamine with EDA being preferred. The following test methods were used: The NCO content of the capped glycols was determined according to the method of S. Siggia, "Quantitative Organic Analysis via Functional Group", 3rd Edition, Wiley & Sons, New York, pages 559-561 (1963). The strength and elastic properties of the spandex and films were measured in accordance with the general method of ASTM D 2731-72. Three filaments, a 2-inch (5-cm) gauge length and a 0-300% elongation cycle were used for each of the measurements. The samples were cycled five times at a constant elongation rate of 50 centimeters per minute. Load power, the stress on the spandex during initial extension, was measured on the first cycle at 200% extension and is reported as deciNewtons/tex. Unload power is the stress at an extension of 200% for the fifth unload cycle and is also reported in deciNewtons/tex. Percent elongation at break and tenacity were measured on a sixth extension cycle. Percent set was also measured on samples that had been subjected to five 0-300% elongation/relaxation cycles. The percent set, %S, was then calculated as %S=100(Lf-Lo)/Lo, where Lo and Lf are respectively the filament (yarn) length when held straight without tension before and after the five elongation/relaxation cycles. To measure heat-set efficiency, the spandex and film samples were mounted on a 10-cm frame and stretched 1.5.times. (50%). The frame (with sample) was placed horizontally in an oven preheated to 170.degree. C., 180.degree. C., or 190.degree. C. for 120 seconds. The samples were allowed to relax and the frame to cool to room temperature. The samples, still on the frame, were immersed in boiling water for 30 min. The frame and samples were removed from the bath and allowed to dry. The length of the yarn samples was measured and heat-set efficiency, HSE, was calculated from the following equation: ##EQU1## Each sample was tested four times, and the results were averaged. To determine steam set, which simulates hosiery processing and boarding operations, a sample of a chosen length in the straight non-tensioned condition, Yo, (conveniently 10 cm) was stretched to three times its original length for about 2 minutes and then relaxed. This simulated a covering operation in which the spandex was drafted while being covered with a conventional yarn. The thusly stretched and relaxed spandex test sample was then placed in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. This exposure to boiling water simulated a dyeing operation. The sample was then removed from the bath, dried, and stretched to twice its post-bath relaxed length. While in this stretched condition, the sample was exposed for 30 seconds to an atmosphere of steam at 10 psig (69 KPa), 110.degree. C. This steam treatment simulates hosiery boarding. After removal from the steam atmosphere, the sample was allowed to dry, and its straight non-tensioned length, Yf, was measured. Steam set (SS,%) was then calculated according to the formula, %SS=100(Yf-Yo)/Yo. |
| PATENT EXAMPLES | available on request |
| PATENT PHOTOCOPY | available on request |
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