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: Tg < 0 °C and low Tm ~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.