Fiber Innovation Technology Inc., Johnson City, Tenn., now offers a full line of polyphenylene
sulfide (PPS) monocomponent staple fibers for applications that require heat and chemical
resistance.
The fibers are made with Fortron® PPS from Florence, Ky.-based Ticona, the technical polymers
business of Dallas-based Celanese Corp. Fiber Innovation Technology offers the fibers in standard
2- to 3-denier round cross sections, with cut lengths ranging from 0.25 to 6 inches and crimp
levels from uncrimped to 12 crimps per inch. The fibers feature a tenacity of 4 grams per denier,
50-percent elongation and less than 2-percent shrinkage at 170°C. They also can be manufactured in
almost any other shape, size and cut length, according to Brad Willingham, president.
“We began producing these fibers because of the growing demand for advanced filtration
materials that perform well in industrial pollution control applications involving hot gases and
liquids,” Willingham said. “We’re also seeing a call for such fibers in a range of new composite
materials, as well as in aerospace and other markets.”
According to Ticona, Fortron linear PPS is inherently flame-retardant, withstands
temperatures of up to 200°C, tolerates a pH range from 2 to 12, and is stable in the presence of
bleaches and organic solvents. The fiber can be processed using most extrusion methods.
July/August 2005
