Water-responsive, biodegradable fibers comprising polylactide modified polylactide and polyvinyl alcohol, and method for making the fibers
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsJames Hongxue Wang, David Michael Schertz, Dave Allen Soerens, Hannong Rhim
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Abstract
The present invention is a water-responsive fiber. More particularly, the present invention is a fiber comprising a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol and a polylactide and a method of making such fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a fiber comprising a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and modified polylactide and a method of making such fibers. The fibers are useful as a component in flushable and degradable articles.
Claims20
A fiber comprising a melt blend comprising a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a polylactide, wherein said polylactide is grafted with a polar monomer, oligomer, polymer or a combination thereof.
A method of making fibers comprising the steps of:
- a) blending a poly(vinyl alcohol) with a polylactide, wherein said polylactide is grafted with a polar monomer, oligomer, polymer or a combination thereof;
- and
- b) forming a fiber from the blend comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) and polylactide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.