Nonwoven fabrics comprising polylactic acid having improved strength and toughness
AssigneesFitesa Germany GmbH, Fitesa Simpsonville, Inc.
InventorsElena Novarino, Gary Drews, Jason Hamilton, Stephen Chester, Alfredo Izzo, David D. Newkirk
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Abstract
Nonwoven fabrics having a plurality of fibers that are bonded to each other to form a coherent web, wherein the fibers comprise a blend of a polylactic acid (PLA) and at least one secondary alkane sulfonate are provided. The nonwoven fabrics exhibit increased tensile strengths, elongation and toughness.
Claims24
A spunbond nonwoven fabric comprising a plurality of fibers that are bonded to each other to form a coherent web, wherein the fibers comprise a blend of a polylactic acid (PLA) and at least one secondary alkane sulfonate, wherein the at least one secondary alkane sulfonate is present in an amount ranging from 0.00375 to 0.2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the fiber, and wherein the fabric exhibits at least one of the following:
- an increase in tensile strength in at least one of the machine or cross direction in comparison to an identical fabric that does not include the at least one secondary alkane sulfonate;
- and
- an increase in elongation in at least one of the machine direction or cross direction in comparison to an identical fabric that does not include the at least one secondary alkane sulfonate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.