Cross-linked non-wovens produced by melt blowing reversible polymer networks

A method, comprising:

• disposing a polymer into a melt blowing die;
• heating the polymer to a first predetermined temperature in the melt blowing die so as to liquefy the polymer;
• extruding the liquefied polymer through an orifice of the melt blowing so as to form a polymer fiber;
• and
• cross-linking the polymer fiber to form a cross-linked polymer fiber comprising a polymer network by at least one of cooling the polymer fiber to a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature or exposing the polymer fiber to a cross-linking stimulus, the cross-linked polymer fiber capable of being decross-linked by heating to a third predetermined temperature above a characteristic decross-linking temperature of the polymer.

A filter media for a fluid filter prepared by a process comprising:

• disposing a polymer into a melt blowing die;
• heating the polymer to a first predetermined temperature in the melt blowing die so as to liquefy the polymer;
• extruding the liquefied polymer through an orifice of the melt blowing die towards so as to form a polymer fiber;
• and
• cross-linking the polymer fiber to form a cross-linked polymer fiber comprising a polymer network by at least one of cooling the polymer fiber to a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature or exposing the polymer fiber to a cross-linking stimulus, the cross-linked polymer fiber capable of being decross-linked by heating to a third predetermined temperature above a characteristic decross-linking temperature of the polymer.