Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, Tenn., is enhancing its platform capability with a 4.5-micron-diameter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microfiber, specifically designed for wetlaid processing to its Cyphrex microfiber product line. This addition to the family of Eastman Cyphrexâ„¢ microfibers comes less than a year after the successful launch in April 2013 of its commercially available 2.5-micron diameter microfiber. When blended, these highly uniform microfibers can allow the formulator to help pinpoint permeability and control pore size, resulting in greater precision for targeted functionality.

The introduction of this larger, 4.5-micron (0.2-denier), round PET fiber opens up the space formulators can access with regard to targeting specific pore sizes and desired permeability in their media, making it a highly suitable material for filtration applications. In addition, it opens more possibilities for manufacturers, and can provide even better formation, or sheet uniformity, when compared with the 2.5-micron (0.06-denier) fiber.

Eastman Cyphrexâ„¢ microfibers offer a unique combination of capability in variation of size, shape and material, a high level of uniformity and consistency, and ease of wetlaid processing. This combination opens new possibilities to nonwovens formulators and their customers in achieving an expanded reach of desired properties with a high degree of precision and consistency.

According to Fred Dulin, director, microfibers platform, Eastman, the new 4.5-micron fiber demonstrates their capability of changing size, and manufacturers can use this unique fiber to pinpoint permeability and pore size and to improve media uniformity even further. These results demonstrate that significant value can be created in nonwoven formulations through specific design of fiber size characteristics and insights provided by industry-standard application development capabilities.

Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2013 revenues of approximately $9.4 billion. The company employs approximately 14,000 people around the world.