Force spun sub-micron fiber and applications

A process comprising:

• spinning a plurality of continuous polymeric filaments by passing a mixture of at least one polymeric component and a solvent through a rotating spinneret having a plurality of orifices,
• wherein the at least one polymeric component comprises one selected from the group consisting of a poly(phenylene ether) component, a poly(phenylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymer, and combinations thereof,
• wherein the solvent comprises benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, alcohols, ketones, anisole, veratrole, dichloroethane, trichloroethane or a combination thereof,
• wherein the mixture has a viscosity greater than 100 centipoise,
• wherein each of the plurality of continuous polymeric filaments has a length to diameter ratio that is more than 1,000,000,
• wherein each of the plurality of continuous polymeric filaments has a diameter ranging from 50 nanometers to 5 microns,
• wherein the spinning is conducted in a non-electrospinning environment and at greater than or equal to 6000 rotations per minute,
• wherein the spinning is conducted at a rate of at least 300 grams/hour/spinneret;
• and
• producing a non-woven web comprising the plurality of continuous polymeric filaments,
• wherein the non-woven web has a width of at least 150 mm.