214 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1941 



manufacture textile filaments and fibers to suit specified needs and 

 modern demands. 



VINTON 



This is probably the most promising new synthetic textile fiber. 

 While already hinted at by Dr. Robert Hooke in 1664, and by Rene 

 Reaumur, the production of a suitable and practical textile fiber 

 from gums and resins did not become a reality until synthetic resins 

 were made. 



Vinyon was originally made by Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Cor- 

 poration and described in a United States patent, No. 2,161,766, 

 granted to Rugeley, Field, Jr., and Conlon in 1937. Later in 1939 

 the American Viscose Corporation took up the manufacture of the 

 filament yarn and fiber. 



Vinyon is the result of extensive research on vinyl polymers, 

 specifically a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate produced 

 by polymerization rather than by condensation. The raw polymer 

 in the form of a white fluffy powder is dispersed in acetone and a 

 dope is obtained containing 23 percent of the copolymer by weight. 

 After filtering and deaerating, this solution is spun the same as ace- 

 tate and coagulated by the dry- or warm-air process. After condi- 

 tioning on take-up bobbins the yarn is wet- twisted to 6 turns per 

 inch, whereupon it is given a stretch of over 100 percent of its orig- 

 inal length, giving the yarn its high tensile strength and true elas- 

 ticity. It is also produced in the partially stretched condition for 

 certain purposes at a lower price. They are now produced in 40, 

 60, 80, 120 deniers and up. 



Delustering is done by incorporation of pigments and a new 

 process has been found to produce a mild delusterization directly in 

 spinning. The yarn has no abrasive action and, owing to its high 

 tensile strength of 1-4 grams per denier and elongation from 18-120 

 percent, will stand abrasion well. The tensile strength is the same 

 when wet or dry. Dyes are rapidly being found so that it can now be 

 colored in a wide variety of shades. 



These unusual properties have caused the yarn to be employed for 

 many industrial fabrics, such as filter cloths, pressed felts, sewing 

 threads and twines of various types, chemical workers' clothing, sail 

 and tarpaulin fabrics, fish nets, parachute cords, chemical-resistant 

 hose, noninflammable fabrics, awnings, curtains, and upholstery. 

 Vinyon staple fiber has been mixed with cotton, wool, and rayon, and 

 fabrics made from it will retain their pressed shape, fold, or crease 

 ^ery well. Maximum concentrations of mineral acids, caustics, alka- 

 lies, bleaching agents do not affect vinyon. It has no affinity for 

 moisture, does not support bacteria and virus growth, and is not sub- 

 ject to damp rot, mold, or mildew. 



