A disperse dyeable polypropylene fiber has been prepared by admixing polyst
yrene to the polymer prior to extrusion. Polystyrene has been synthesized a
t suitable molecule weight and narrow mol wt distribution. The dyeability,
mechanical properties, shrinkage, degree of crystallinity, and orientation
of pure polypropylene or the blend fibers with different amount of polystyr
ene were investigated. In addition, the structure of the blend containing 4
and 6% polystyrene was also studied to explain the interesting dyeing beha
vior of the blend fibers. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.