World production and use of polypropylene fibres and thread. A review

The existence of sources of accessible and inexpensive raw material has caused the turbulent development of PP fibres and thread. At present, they occupy third place in the world in production volume, after polyamide and polyester fibres and yarns, and could be in first place by 2000 based on the production growth rates. The cause of this rapid development is the relatively simple and ecologically “clean” technology and low production costs. Industrial production of PP fibres and thread is still concentrated in Western Europe, the US, and Japan, where 70% of all PP is produced. In the 1990s, the proportion began to decrease due to production in developing countries in South America, Asia, and Africa. Since the mid-1980s, PP fibre and yarn production capacity has increased, while the development of production capacities for film fibres and monofilaments has virtually stabilized. The areas of application of PP fibres and yarns are determined by their properties. Carpet manufacture is the largest and most developed area of their use. In the future, PP fibres and thread could move to first place in production of carpets, outstripping polyamide fibres; this could be due to the appearance of BSF PP yarns from DuPont (USA) on the world market. The increase in the market for PP floor coverings is related to their use in the automobile industry. Nonwovens from PP fibres are used in both the home and in industry (construction, agriculture, automobile, furniture, and shoe industries, etc.). Development of sanitary and hygienic nonwovens made of PP fibres has increased. Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 5, pp. 3–13, September–October, 1997.     

Polyethylene monofilaments for fishing equipment

Conclusions -- It has been found that to prepare polyethylene monofilaments which correspond to the requirements of the fishing industry, their spinning should be carried out into a water cooling bath.-- The use of a linear LPPE, type 288-84, is recommended for the preparation of monofilaments having high strength characteristics.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 4, pp. 48–50, July–August, 1990.     

Stable chronic disease: a behavioral model

A three-year study was undertaken in the general medical clinic of a private community hospital, to assess the health behavior, health status, and profile of function of stable chronic disease was developed and tested. It was shown that these patients used a disproportionate amount of health care services. Half of the group was treated by a nurse practitioner/physician team and half by a house officer/preceptor team. Patients in both groups behaved similarly. These patients: 1) made frequent demands for outpatient services but did not need more than average hospital care; 2) tended to have problems of socio-economic indigency; 3) were likely to have hypertension, obesity, arthritis, and functional disease; 4) were chiefly women; 5) required special visits 9 percent of the time, usually for exacerbations of illness or intercurrent health problems; 6) made greater demands if they had functional complaints as a primary or secondary health problem; and 7) viewed their health more positively and functioned at a higher level if they were over 65 years of age. It was also found that the nurse practitioner, working in consultation with a physician, was able to provide high-quality health care.