Investigation on the Melt Processing of Biodegradable Aliphatic-Aromatic Polyester into Fibrous Products

Abstract

Research is described in the article concerning the melt processing of biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters into fibrous products. Copolyesters containing 57 -60% of a tri-component aliphatic portion (copolymers of butylene glycol and adypic-, succinic-, glutaric acid and terephtalic acid) prepared on a large laboratory scale were used in fibres and nonwoven from molten polymers. Fibres were made in a two-step process comprising spinning and drawing. Nonwovens were formed by the spunbond method. Main properties are given of the polymers and fibres, and the nonwoven made thereof. It was found that the aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters prepared reveal good spinability. Thermal properties: T g < 0 °C and low T m ~115 °C of fibres made of aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters limit their possible uses mainly to the production of disposables. A cheap method of making spunbond nonwoven which leads to ready textiles is recommended for the processing of the copolyesters.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Amount of Plastic Waste and Alternative Materials in the Context of the Circular Economy

“…The spun-bonded technique consists of introducing the polymer into the extruder through a feeder. To process polyesters such as PLA or PBS, it is necessary to reduce the water content level to ppm [90,91]. The polymer is melted in the extruder's heating zone.…”

Characterization, Modeling and the Production Processes of Biopolymers in the Textiles Industry

“…Researchers have produced biodegradable cotton-based, nonwovens by using blends of cotton, flax and biodegradable thermoplastic fibers that act as binders [85]; Biodegradability was monitored, with 40% of the initial weight lost after 8 weeks composting [86]. To reduce the cost, researchers have made a pure nonwoven material from co-polyester by a direct melt-blowing process [87].…”

Biodegradable polymers as floating row covers in field production of radish

“…In the present experiment, we used three degradable materials made of aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters (AAC) consisting of a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic monomers; two of these materials had the addition of the high-purity dimer acid Pripol 1009. Detailed AAC characteristics are to be found in the papers of Chen et al (2008) and Twarowska-Schmidt et al (2016), who presented a large range of AAC. Aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters combine good mechanical properties with biodegradability.…”