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AssigneeFiber Innovation Technology, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey S. Dugan, Frank Harris, Michael Hodge
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The present invention provides multicomponent thermoplastic fibers that are biodegradable and that are capable of forming strong bonds in air bonding processes. In various embodiments, the multicomponent fibers can include a first polymer component that includes a first aliphatic polyester, and a second polymer component also including an aliphatic polyester, wherein the first polymer component comprises at least a portion of an exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber. The first polymer component can be a fully amorphous polylactic acid and the second polymer component can be a semicrystalline polylactic acid. The multicomponent fiber can have cross-sectional area comprising the first polymer component and the second polymer component in about a 1:1 ratio, wherein the first polymer component and the second polymer component are configured in a sheath/core arrangement.
A multicomponent fiber having an exposed surface comprising:
The multicomponent fiber of claim 9, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, water, sodium hydroxide, hydrated alumina trihydrate, ethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.
A method of forming a nonwoven fabric comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.