Background of the Invention
[0001] Wet-laid nonwoven sheets of synthetic polymeric fibrids and short length staple fibers
are known from US-A-2,999,788. Increased bonding of these sheets can be obtained by
application of heat and/or pressure. As taught in said patent, the fibrids are prepared
by shear precipitation of solutions of the polymer, preferably in an aqueous medium.
Generally, the fibrids are directly converted into nonwoven sheet structures or paper
by paper-forming techniques similar to those employed with wood pulp. Preferably,
the aqueous mix used to prepare the nonwoven sheets by paper-making methods will include
short fiber or floc in addition to the fibrids. Other materials may be added as desired.
[0002] The nature of the floc and fibrids as well as the interaction between them will,
of course, determine the sheet properties and the end use applications to which they
may be applied. It is an object of the present invention to obtain sheet structures
exhibiting high strength and a high glass transition temperature, (Tg). Some of the
novel sheet products exhibit outstanding electrical properties as well.
Summary of the Invention
[0003] The invention provides a high strength nonwoven sheet structure consisting of floc
and fused fibrids, characterised in that it consists of from 10 to 90 wt. % of floc
of carbon, aramid or glass fiber held in place with from 90 to 10 wt. % of fused fibrids
consisting essentially of the following units

and

where n is 4 or 5; X is from 0.01 to 0.50, preferably from 0.03 to 0.30, and Ar is
a radical selected from 3,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenylene,
1,3-phenylene, 1-methyl-2,4-phenylene, and mixtures of such radicals with each other
or mixtures of such radicals with up to 50 mol percent of 1,4-phenylene radicals based
on the mixture of such radicals. The novel fibrids are also part of this invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0004] Sheet products of the present invention are wet-laid, hot-pressed sheets of floc
of carbon, aramid or glass and certain novel fibrids.
[0005] The term "floc" is used to describe short length fibers as customarily used in the
preparation of wet-laid sheets. Floc suitable for use in this invention will normally
have lengths less than 2.5 cm. In the examples, the floc fibers had a linear density
of 2.2 dtex and a cut length of about 0.68 cm. Such floc provides maximum strength
and resistance to shrinkage of resultant sheet.
[0006] Fibrids are very small, nongranular, flexible, fibrous or film-like particles. At
least one of their three dimensions is of minor magnitude relative to the largest
dimension. They are prepared by precipitation of a solution of polymeric material
using a non-solvent under very high shear. Suitable fibrids and methods for their
preparation are described in US-A-2,999,788 issued September 12, 1961, to P. W. Morgan.
Fibrids are always prepared as dispersions in liquid. They can be converted to aqueous
slurries by suitable washing techniques. Fibrids characteristically have a high absorptive
capacity for water and when deposited on a screen have sufficient strength even when
wet to permit processing on a paper machine.
[0007] Suitable sheets can be made by uniformly depositing an aqueous slurry of the paper-making
fibrous material onto a foraminous surface (e.g., a fine-mesh screen or fabric) through
which much of the water quickly drains to form an initial sheet. Sheets prepared one
at a time on laboratory-scale paper-forming equipment are designated "handsheets".
[0008] The fibrids employed in the present invention are prepared from a polymer having
the following repeat units in the indicated proportions:

and

where n is 4 or 5; x is from 0.01 to 0.50; and Ar is a radical selected from 3,4'-oxydiphenylene,
1,3-phenylene, 1-methyl-2,4-phenylene, and mixtures of such radicals with each other
or with up to equimolar amounts of 1,4-phenylene radicals.
[0009] The following examples except for the controls are illustrative of this invention
and are not intended as limiting.
Example 1
[0010] This example shows preparation of fibrids of this invention.
[0011] A polymer having the following repeat units was prepared in accordance with the procedures
of coassigned EP-A-0366316.

and

About 36 g of the polymer (inherent viscosity 0.5) was combined with 264 g of dimethylacetamide
(DMAc) containing 4% LiCl to yield a 12% polymer solution. This solution was heated
to 85°C to dissolve the polymer until a clear, light brown/gold solution is obtained.
[0012] A Waring 7011 blender (model 31BL02) was filled with 50 ml of DMAc (4% Licl) and
200 ml distilled water. With the blender run on high speed, 75 ml of polymer solution
was poured slowly into top of the blender (stream ∼0.3 cm wide at top of blender).
The resulting fibrids were vacuum filtered onto Whatman International Ltd. #41 filter
paper and washed 5 times with with ∼500 ml of water to remove excess DMAc. The fibrid
care obtained was not allowed to dry out.
Example 2
[0013] This example shows the preparation of a nonwoven sheet structure of the present invention
using the fibrids of Example 1 and an aramid floc. This floc was prepared from paraphenylene
terephthalamide fiber (PPD-T) Kevlar 29 fiber from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company,
Inc.
[0014] A handsheet containing 70 wt. % of the fibrids and 30 wt. % of the floc described
above was prepared from 683 ml of a 0.3% solids fibrid slurry and 1.1052 g of 0.32
cm (0.125 inch) floc. The handsheet was produced by putting the fibrids and floc and
2400 ml of water into British Pulp Evaluation Apparatus (Mavis Engineering, Ltd. No.
8233) and dispersing them for 5 minutes. This stock was added to a Noble and Woods
handsheet mold and additional water added. The stock solution was agitated 10 times
with an agitator plate, then vacuum drained through a screen having screen openings
of 0.15 mm diameter (100 mesh screen). The sample was couched between 2 plies (each
side) of blotter paper to remove excess moisture. The handsheet was then transferred
to blotter paper by slapping the sample and screen onto a table top. The sample was
dried on handsheet hot plate drier (Noble & Wood Model No. F10). Sample strength was
judged to be sufficient to produce on a fourdrinier paper machine.
[0015] The handsheet was pressed on a hot press (Farrel Watson-Stillman, Model No. 9175-MR)
at 690 kPa (100 psi), 279°C (535°F) for 1 minute. Sample was measured per ASTM D-828
and determined to have break strength of 0.52 N/m width (29.44 lbs/inch width) and
modulus of 4227 MPa (613 kpsi).
Example 3
[0016] This example employs the fibrids of Example 1 in making sheet structures with several
different types of floc. In some instances, proportions were varied. Item G is a control
using fibrids of metaphenylene isophthalamide (MPD-I). Items A and B use floc similar
to that of Example 2 while Items E and F employ an aramid floc from MPD-I fiber.
[0017] The same method for producing the formed papers of Example 2 was used for making
the handsheets of Items B-F, with the following compositions:

[0018] All papers were judged to have sufficient strength to be produced on a paper machine.
[0019] All of the handsheets from above were pressed on a hot press (Farrel Watson-Stillman,
Model No. 9175-MR) at 6.895 MPa (1000 psi), 279°C (535°F) for 1 minute. Properties
are given below.

[0020] The break strength and modulus are "normalized" to the same density and basis weight
as the Item G control. The carbon papers will not densify as much as less stiff fibers
under the same pressing conditions. As one can see, Items A-F are superior to Item
G.
Example 4
[0021] About 22.7 kg (50 lbs) of the polymer described in Example 1 (0.5-0.6 inherent) was
dissolved in enough DMAc (4% LiCl) to produce a 30% solids solution. The 30% solids
solution above was passed to a fibridator of the type disclosed in US-A-3,018,091.
The resulting fibrids are washed with water to reduce DMAc and chloride content to
about 1.0% and 0.3%, based on polymer, respectively.
[0022] 11.4 kg (25.2 lbs) of the fibrids were put into a hydrapulper with 11.4 kg (25.2
lbs) of 0.64 cm (0.25 in), PPD-T floc and 3762 l (994 gallons) of water and dispersed
for 15 minutes.
[0023] This stock was diluted to 0.35% solids and then pumped, through a double-disc refiner
(Sprout-Waldron 12·254 cm (12'') Twin-Flo, Model no. 12-MA, Serial No. 67-1432, to
a standard fourdrinier paper machine at a rate of 4.26 l/min/cm width (2.86 gallons
per min./inch width) to form a sheet of 27.2 kg/914 m ream (60 lbs/3000 ft. ream)
at 15.2 m (50 ft.) per min. wire speed. This sheet was dried to a moisture level of
1.15%.
[0024] Break Strength and Modulus values of this paper and a comparably made paper using
MPD-I fibrids is given below for the machine direction MD and the cross direction
CD.

[0025] The sheet samples were pressed on a hot press (Farrel Watson-Stillman, Model No.
9175-MR) at 6.895 MPa (1000 psi), 279°C (535°F) for 1 minute.
[0026] Break strength was measured and is shown below. Included is data for the same comparably
made paper using MPD-I fibrids and PPD-T floc as a control.

[0027] It can be seen that while fibrids are employed for both Items a and b, the Item a
fibrids result in substantially improved sheets. The use of glass floc in place of
the aramid floc of Items a and b would be expected to give a similar improvements.
Example 5
[0028] In this example the fibrids were prepared from a polymer consisting essentially of
the following repeat units in the indicated mol ar proportions.

and

wherein Ar is a 70/30 mixture of 1,3-phenylene and 1,4-phenylene radicals, and a PPD-T
floc was employed
[0029] The copolymer was prepared in a 2 liter resin kettle fitted with a stirrer, heating
mantle, and continuous nitrogen flow. A mixture of IBC (862.5 g, 2.4 mol), MPD (183.2
g, 1.7 mol), and PPD (78.5 g, 0.73 mol) was maintained at a temperature between 250°
and 260°C for 4 hours. The clear amber plasticized copolymer produced, in solution
with residual caprolactam was allowed to cool to room temperature. The inherent viscosity
of the copolymer was determined to be 0.8 and its Tg was 217°C. Its proton - NMR spectrum
showed X to be 0.27.
[0030] Sixty g of above polymer was combined with 440 g of DMAc (4% Licl) to yield 12% polymer
solution. This solution was heated to 85°C to dissolve the polymer until a clear,
light brown/gold solution is obtained.
[0031] A Waring 7011 blender was filled with 50 ml of DMAc (4% Licl) and 200 ml distilled
water. With the blender run on high speed, 75 ml of polymer solution were poured slowly
into top of blender (stream ∼0.3 cm wide at top of blender). The fibrids (Fibrid A)
were vacuum filtered and washed 5 times with ∼500 ml of water to remove excess DMAc.
The fibrid cake obtained was not allowed to dry out.
[0032] The 219 g of this fibrid cake was mixed with 2181 ml of water to produce a 1.2% solids
slurry. This slurry was dispersed for 5 minutes as described in Example 2. 750 ml
of this fibrid slurry was added to 2250 ml of water to produce a 0.3% solids slurry.
The 0.3% fibrid slurry was refined in a Waring Commercial Blender (CB-6, Model 33BL12)
for 30 seconds on high speed.
[0033] An additional sample using MPD-I fibrids (Fibrid B) was treated to the same slurry
preparation and refining steps.
[0034] A handsheet comprising 70% of Fibrid A/30% PPD-T floc was made using 683 ml of the
0.3% solids fibrid slurry and 1.1052 g 0.32 cm (0.125 in.) PPD-T floc. The handsheet
was produced by putting the fibrids and floc and an additional 2000 ml of water into
British Pulp Evaluation Apparatus (Mavis Engineering, Ltd. No. 8233) and dispersing
them for 5 minutes. This stock was added to a handsheet mold and additional water
added. The stock solution was agitated 10 times with an agitator plate, then vacuum
drained through a screen having openings of 0.15 mm diameter (100 mesh screen). The
sample was couched between 2 plies (each side) of blotter paper to remove excess moisture.
The handsheet was then transferred to blotter paper by slapping the sample and screen
onto a table top. The sample dried on a handsheet hot plate drier. A similar sample
was produced using the MPD-I fibrid slurry mentioned above as a control.
[0035] Break Strength and Modulus values of this paper and a comparably made paper using
Fibrid B is given below.

[0036] The handsheet was then pressed on a hot press at 6.895 MPa (1000 psi), 279°C (535°F)
for 1 minute.
[0037] Break Strength and Modulus values of this paper and a comparably made paper using
MPD-I fibrids is given below.

Example 6
[0038] This example is a control showing the use of thermoplastic polymer fibrids.
[0039] Thirty g of polyetherimide (PEI, ULTEM 1000 produced by G.E.) polymer were combined
with 270 g of DMAc to yield 10% polymer solution. This solution was heated to 85°C
to dissolve the polymer until a clear, light brown/gold solution is obtained.
[0040] A Waring blender was filled with 50 ml of DMAc (4% LiCl) and 200 ml distilled water.
With the blender run on high speed, 75 ml of polymer solution were poured slowly into
the top of the blender (stream ∼0.3 cm wide at top of blender). The fibrids were vacuum
filtered onto Whatman International Ltd. #41 filter paper and washed 5 times with
∼500 ml of water to remove excess DMAc. The fibrid cake obtained was not allowed to
dry out.
[0041] A handsheet 60% PEI fibrids/40% PPD-T floc was prepared using 308 ml of a 0.3% solids
fibrid slurry and 0.616 dry g 0.64 cm (0.25 in) floc. The handsheet was produced by
putting the fibrids and floc and 2400 ml of water into the British Pulp Evaluation
Apparatus and dispersing them for 5 minutes. This stock was added to a handsheet mold
and additional water added. The stock solution was agitated 10 times with an agitator
plate, then vacuum drained through a screen having screen openings of 0.15 mm diameter
(100 mesh screen). The sample was couched between 2 plies (each side) of blotter paper
to remove excess moisture. The handsheet was then transferred to blotter paper to
remove excess moisture. The handsheet was then transferred to blotter paper by slapping
the sample and screen onto a table top. The sample dried on a handsheet hot plate
drier. Sample strength was judged to be sufficient to produce on a fourdrinier paper
machine.
[0042] The handsheet was then pressed on a hot press at 6.895 MPa (1000 psi), 279°C (535°F)
for 1 minute. Sample was determined to have break strength of 0.02 N/m (0.86 lbs/inch
width) and modulus of 168 MPa (24.43 kpsi).
[0043] Similarly formed handsheets were made from Example 1 fibrids (B) and PPD-T 0.64 cm
(0.25 in) floc or MPD-I fibrids (C) and PPD-T 0.64 cm (0.25 in) floc. Properties are
below:

[0044] The break strength and modulus of all samples are "normalized" to a basis weight
of 33.9 g/m² (1.00 ounces per square yard). As one can see the B fibrid paper are
superior to both the A and the C fibrid papers.
Example 7
[0045] A series of copolymers was prepared from IBC and an aromatic diamine, Ar(CH₂)
2, or a mixture of aromatic diamines. Each copolymer was prepared in a test tube fitted
with a cap lined with polytetrafluoroethylene. In each of the copolymer preparations,
IBC (10.0 g, 28 mmol) and the appropriate diamine or diamines (28 mmol total, see
table below) were held at 250°C in the test tube under nitrogen for four hours. The
molten mixture was swirled during the initial part of the reaction.
[0046] The aromatic diamines used to make the copolymers were the following diamines:
[0047] Metaphenylenediamine (MPD), in which Ar = 1,3-phenylene.
[0048] Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), in which Ar = 1,4-phenylene.
[0049] 2,4-Diaminotoluene (DAT), in which Ar = 1-methyl-2,4-phenylene.
[0050] 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS), in which Ar = 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenylene.
[0051] 3,4'-Oxydiphenylamine (3,4'-ODA), in which Ar = 3,4'-oxydiphenylene.
[0052] 4,4'-Oxydiphenylamine (4,4'-ODA), in which Ar = 4,4'-oxydiphenylene.
[0053] The bis(lactam) monomer used to make the copolymers were N,N'-isophthaloyl bis(caprolactam)
(IBC). The copolymers evaluated were as follows:

[0054] A 12% polymer solution was produced by dissolving each of the above copolymers in
the appropriate amount of solvent, which was 100% DMAc for items A, B, E, F, I, or
DMAc containing 4% LiCl for items C, D, G, H. A light brown/gold solution was obtained,
and it was filtered through glass wool. This solution was heated to 85°C.
[0055] A Waring 7011 blender was filled with 50 ml of DMAc (4% LiCl) and 200 ml distilled
water. With the blender run on high speed, 75 ml of polymer solution was poured slowly
into the top of the blender, the stream being about 0.32 cm (1/8 in.) wide at the
top of the blender. Each sample of fibrids (Fibrids A-I) was vacuum filtered and washed
5 times with about 500 ml of water to remove excess DMAc. The fibrid cake obtained
was not permitted to dry out.
[0056] Each fibrid cake was mixed with the proper amount of water to produce a 1.2% solids
slurry. This slurry was dispersed for 5 minutes as described in Example 2. 750ml of
this fibrid slurry was added to 2250 ml of water to produce a 0.3% solids slurry.
The o.3% fibrid slurry was "refined" in a Waring Commercial Blender (CB-6, Model 33BL12)
for 30 seconds on high speed.
[0057] An additional sample using MPD-I fibrids (Item J) was treated to the same slurry
preparation and refining steps.
[0058] A handsheet comprising 70% of fibrids A-I/30%PPD-T floc was made using 683 ml of
the 0.3% solids fibrid slurry and 1.1052 g of 0.32 cm (0.125 in.) PPD-T floc. The
handsheet was produced by putting the fibrids and floc and an additional 2000 ml of
water into British Pulp Evaluation Apparatus (Mavis Engineering, Ltd. No. 8233) and
dispersing them for 5 minutes. This stock was added to a handsheet mold and additional
water added. The stock solution was agitated 10 times with an agitator plate, then
vacuum drained through a fine screen with 0.15-mm openings. The sample was couched
between 2 plies (each side) of blotter paper to remove excess moisture. The handsheet
was then transferred to blotter paper by slapping the sample and 0.15 mm (100 mesh)
screen onto a table top. The sample was produced using the MPD-I fibrid slurry mentioned
above as a control (Item J). All handsheets were judged to have sufficient strength
to be produced on a fourdrinier paper machine.
[0059] Each handsheet was then pressed on a hot press at 6895 kPa (1000 psi), 280°C (535°F)
for 1 minute.
[0060] Breaking strength and Modulus values of these papers and the comparably made papers
using MPD-I fibrids are given below.

[0061] The breaking strength and modulus are "normalized" to the same density and basis
weight as the Item J control. As will be seen from these data, Items A-I are superior
to Item J.
Example 8
[0062] N,N'-isophthaloyl bis(valerolactam) and 3,4'-Oxydiphenylamine were reacted together
in accordance with the procedures of coassigned EP-A-0366316 to form a copolymer having
the following repeat units:
[O=C-m-phenylene-C=O]
0.91
[HN-3,4'-oxydiphenylene-NH]
0.91 and
[O=C-(CH₂)₄-NH]
0.09
[0063] About 22.7 kg (50 lbs.) of this polymer (having an inherent viscosity of 0.5-0.6)
was dissolved in enough DMAc (4% Licl) to produce a 30% solids solution. The 30% solids
solution was passed to a fibrilator of the type disclosed in US-A-3,018,091. The resulting
fibrids are washed with water to reduce DMAc and chloride content to about 1.0% and
0.3%, based on polymer, respectively. The fibrid cake obtained was not allowed to
dry out.
[0064] The fibrid cake was mixed with the proper amount of water to produce a 1.2% solids
slurry. This slurry was dispersed for 5 minutes as described in Example 2 above. 750
ml of this fibrid slurry was added. The 0.3% fibrid slurry was refined in a Waring
Commercial Blender (CB-6, Model 33BL12) for 30 seconds at high speed.
[0065] An additional sample using MPD-I fibrids (see Ex. 7, Item J) was treated to the same
slurry preparation and refining steps.
[0066] A handsheet comprising 70% of Fibrids A-I/30% PPD-T floc was made using 683 ml of
the 0.3% solids fibrid slurry and 1.1052 g 0.32 cm (0.125 in.) PPD-T floc. The handsheet
was produced by putting the fibrids and floc and an additional 2000 ml of water into
British Pulp Evaluation Apparatus (Mavis Engineering, Ltd. No. 8223) and dispersing
them for 5 minutes. This stock was added to a handsheet mold, and additional water
was added. The stock solution was agitated 10 times with an agitator plate, then vacuum
drained through a 0.15 mm (100 mesh) screen. The sample was couched between 2 plies
(each side) of blotter paper to remove excess moisture. The handsheet was then transferred
to blotter paper by slapping the sample and 0.15 mm (100 mesh) screen onto a table
top. The sample dried on a handsheet hot plate drier. A similar sample was produced
using the MPD-I fibrid slurry mentioned above as a control (Example 7, Item J). All
handsheets were judged to have sufficient strength to be produced on a fourdrinier
paper machine.
[0067] Each handsheet was then pressed on a hot press at 6895 kPa (1000 psi), 280°C (535°F)
for 1 minute.
[0068] Breaking Strength and Modulus values of these papers and the comparably made papers
using MPD-I fibrids are given below.

[0069] The breaking strength and modulus are "normalized" to the same density and basis
weight as the Item J control. As will be seen from these data, Item A is superior
to Item J.
1. A high strength sheet structure consisting of floc and fused fibrids, characterised
in that it consists of from 10 to 90 wt. % of floc of carbon, aramid or glass fiber
held in place with from 90 to 10 wt. % of fused fibrids consisting essentially of
the following units:

and

where n is 4 or 5; X is from 0.01 to 0.50 and Ar is a radical selected from 3,4'-oxydiphenylene,
4,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1-methyl-2,4-phenylene,
and mixtures of such radicals with each other or mixtures of such radicals with up
to 50 mol percent of 1,4-phenylene radicals based on the mixture of radicals.
2. A sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein carbon floc is employed.
3. A sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein aramid floc is employed.
4. A sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein glass floc is employed.
5. A sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein x is from 0.03 to 0.30.
6. A sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein the fibrids consist essentially of
the following units:

wherein X is from 0.01 to 0.50.
7. A sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein the fibrids consist essentially of
the following units:

wherein X is from 0.01 to 0.50.
8. A sheet structure according to claim 1 where the fibrids consist essentially of the
following units:

wherein Ar is a 70/30 mixture of 1,3-phenylene and 1,4-phenylene radicals and X is
from 0.01 to 0.50.
9. Fibrids consisting of the following units:

where n is 4 or 5; X is from 0.01 to 0.50 and Ar is a radical selected from 3,4'-oxydiphenylene,
4,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenylene, 1,3-phenylene and mixtures of such
radicals with each other or mixtures of such radicals with up to 50 mol percent of
1,4-phenylene radicals based on the mixture of radials.
10. Fibrids according to claim 9 wherein x is from 0.03 to 0.30.
1. Folienstruktur mit hoher Festigkeit, bestehend aus flockigen und geschmolzenen Fibriden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie aus 10 bis 90 Gew.-% Flockenmasse aus Kohlenstoff-,
Aramid- oder Glasfaser besteht, die mit 90 bis 10 Gew.-% geschmolzenen Fibriden an
Ort und Stelle festgehalten wird, die im wesentlichen aus den folgenden Einheiten
bestehen:

und

worin n 4 oder 5 bedeutet; X 0,01 bis 0,50 bedeutet und Ar für ein Radikal steht,
ausgewählt aus 3,4'-Oxidiphenylen, 4,4'-Oxidiphenylen, 4,4'-Sulfonyldiphenylen, 1,3-Phenylen,
1-Methyl-2,4-phenylen und aus Gemischen solcher Radikale miteinander oder aus Gemischen
solcher Radikale mit, bezogen auf das Gemisch der Radikale, bis zu 50 Mol-% 1,4-Phenylenradikalen,
besteht.
2. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin die Kohlenstoffflockenmasse eingesetzt wird.
3. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin die Aramidflockenmasse eingesetzt wird.
4. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin die Glasfaserflockenmasse eingesetzt wird.
5. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin X 0,03 bis 0,30 bedeutet.
6. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin die Fibride im wesentlichen aus den folgenden
Einheiten bestehen:

worin X 0,01 bis 0,50 bedeutet.
7. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin die Fibride im wesentlichen aus den folgenden
Einheiten bestehen:

worin X 0,01 bis 0,50 bedeutet.
8. Folienstruktur nach Anspruch 1, worin die Fibride im wesentlichen aus den folgenden
Einheiten bestehen:

worin Ar ein 70/30-Gemisch aus 1,3-Phenylen- und 1,4-Phenylenradikalen ist und X
0,01 bis 0,50 bedeutet.
9. Fibride, bestehend aus den folgenden Einheiten:

worin n 4 oder 5 bedeutet; X 0,01 bis 0,50 bedeutet und Ar fur ein Radikal steht,
ausgewahlt aus 3,4'-Oxidiphenylen, 4,4'-Oxidiphenylen, 4,4'-Sulfonyldiphenylen, 1,3-Phenylen
und Gemischen solcher Radikale miteinander oder aus Gemischen solcher Radikale mit,
bezogen auf das Gemisch der Radikale, bis zu 50 Mol-% 1,4-Phenylenradikalen.
10. Fibride nach Anspruch 9, worin x 0,03 bis 0,30 bedeutet.
1. Une structure en feuille à haute resistance consistant en flocs et fibrides fusionnés,
caractérisée en ce qu'elle consiste en 10 à 90% en poids de flocs de carbone, d'aramide
ou de fibre de verre maintenus en place avec une quantité de 90 à 10% en poids de
fibrides fusionnés consistant essentiellement en les unites suivantes :

dans lesquelles n est 4 ou 5; X est de 0,01 à 0,50 et Ar est un radical sélectionné
parmi les groupes 3,4'-oxydiphénylène, 4,4'-oxy-diphénylène, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphénylène,
1,3-phénylène, 1-méthyl-2,4-phénylène et des mélanges de ces groupes les uns avec
les autres ou des mélanges de ces groupes avec un maximum de 50% en moles de groupes
1,4-phénylène par rapport au mélange de ces groupes.
2. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle des flocs de carbone
sont employés.
3. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle des flocs d'aramide
sont employés.
4. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle des flocs de verre
sont employés.
5. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle X est compris entre
0,03 et 0,30.
6. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les fibrides consistent
essentiellement en les unites suivantes :

dans lesquelles X est de 0,01 à 0,50.
7. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les fibrides consistent
essentiellement en les unités suivantes :

dans lesquelles X est de 0,01 à 0,50.
8. Une structure en feuille suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle les fibrides consistent
essentiellement en les unités suivantes :

dans lesquelles Ar est un mélange 70/30 de groupes 1,3-phénylène et 1,4-phénylène
et X est de 0,01 à 0,50.
9. Fibrides consistant en les unités suivantes :

dans lesquelles n est 4 ou 5; X est de 0,01 à 0,50 et Ar est un radical sélectionné
parmi les groupes 3,4'-oxydiphénylène, 4,4'-oxy-diphénylène, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphénylène,
1,3-phénylène et des mélanges de ces groupes les uns avec les autres ou des mélanges
de ces groupes avec un maximum de 50% en moles de groupes 1,4-phénylène par rapport
au mélange de ces groupes.
10. Fibrides suivant la revendication 9, dans lesquels X est compris entre 0,03 et 0,30.