Stainless steel yarn and protective fabric

Abstract

Cut resistant, abrasion resistant and electrically conductive yarns (1) are formed in torque-free form from stainless steel and other metallic yarns (2) served with or formed into composite twists with non-metallic yarns and fibers (4) and (5). The metallic yarn (2) is made up of at least about 60 ends, and up to as many as about 300 ends, of metal fibers (3) having a diameter of from about 2 to about 25 mum. The absence of torque permits facile knitting into protective garments, such as cut resistant, abrasion resistant and / or electrically conductive gloves (10), or yarns which are as much as 85 to 90% by weight metallic fiber. When knit into gloves, added protection may be provided from puncture injuries if the palm (12), finger stalls (14) and thumb stall (16) are coated or impregnated with an elastomer or the like.

Description

BACKGROUNDThis invention relates to the technical field of stainless steel cut resistant, abrasion resistant and electrically conductive yarn, suitable for making fabrics and particularly knitting fabrics and garments, and to protective garments, such as cut resistant, abrasion resistant and / or electrically conductive gloves, aprons, smocks, jackets, trousers, leggings, socks or stockings, and the like, as well as protective fabric structures of all kinds, such as drapes and the like.Cut resistance is important in a wide variety of industries, as lacerations are one of the greatest causes of industrial accidents. Notable are the meat cutting and butchering workers, machinists, carpenters and joiners, assembly line workers, and the like.Abrasion resistance is comparably important in a variety of industrial contexts; also of significance is the incidence of abrasive exposure among athletes, particularly those performing on artificial turf and other harsh environments.Electrical conduc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is an object of the present invention to provide metallic yarns with high levels of cut resistance and electrical conductivity in a form substantially free of torque or liveliness, easily knitted or otherwise formed into fabrics and protective garments and the like, particularly gloves.

The cut resistant and electrical conductivity are high, so that the composite yarn may be thinner and lighter weight than the prior art forms. The low torque characteristics make the yarns readily formed into fabrics and protective garments and the like by knitting, weaving and the like.

In the most usual circumstances, polyamides, such as nylon fibers and yarns are preferred for their economy, ready availability, ease of use, and good abrasion resistance. High strength polymers are preferred in other circumstances as the non-metallic yarns; among these are the aromatic polyamides, such as Kevlar.RTM., and ultra-high molecular weight polyolefins, such as Spectra.RTM.. These materials add to the cut and abrasion resistance of the composite yarns of the invention, in cooperation with the metal fiber yarns, but at added cost and handling difficulty.

In gloves, in particular, thinner, lighter, and more flexible knits provide gloves with excellent flexibility, tactile properties, and comfort at very high levels of cut resistance and electrical conductivity.

Problems solved by technology

Wires are generally prohibitively difficult to work with, and are prone to breakage when worked and work hardened.

Metallic wires are not particularly durable when exposed to abrasion, and numerous breaks occur during spinning, knitting, and in use.

) While these materials have met with some success, the level of cut resistance attained, and the bulk of fibers and yarns required, remain problems for users.

Such composites afford overall better properties, but the limitations of both metallic and synthetic polymers are still present to some degree.

Wire and wire cored metallic yarns are quite difficult to knit or otherwise fabricate into protective garments.

The garments are generally bulky, stiff and heavy.

In the form of gloves, limited flexibility and tactility constrain the functionality of the gloves.

Efforts to reduce the diameter of metallic wire cores in multiple strands result in the development of excessive torque and liveliness which limits the ability to knit gloves or other protective garments.

In workable yarns with limited metallic content, cut resistance is often inadequate.

Wire cored yarns are prone to breakage when knit, flexed, bent, or otherwise manipulated, compromising the protective value and properties for which it is employed.

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