FIELD: polymer fibers. SUBSTANCE: mixture of aqueous dispersion of fluorinated olefin polymer and solution of polymer matrix obtained from cellulose ether with substitution degree at least about 0.02 but not more than about 0.5 is first formed. Mixture is then extruded into coagulation solution containing salts, acids, or mixtures thereof. Resulting intermediate fibrous structure is washed in sufficient amount of water with nearly neutral pH value. Structure being washed has self- sustaining length at least 30 cm and is essentially devoid of ions. Weight ratio of polymer particles to polymer matrix in the structure gives value approximately between 3 and 20. Material is subjected to additional caking to oxidize polymer matrix and induce coalescence of fluorinated olefin polymer particles. EFFECT: improved strength characteristics with no process disadvantages peculiar to methods involving cellulose. 12 cl, 1 dwg, 2 tbl, 21 ex
