Biodisintegratable nonwovens with improved fluid management properties

A biodisintegratable nonwoven material comprising a plurality of multicomponent fibers, wherein the multicomponent fibers are prepared from a thermoplastic composition, wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises:

• a. an aliphatic polyester polymer in a weight amount that is between about 45 to about 90 weight percent, wherein the aliphatic polyester polymer forms a substantially continuous phase;
• b. polyolefin microfibers in a weight amount that is between greater than 0 to about 45 weight percent, wherein the polyolefin microfibers have a diameter that is less than about 50 micrometers and the polyolefin microfibers form a substantially discontinuous phase encased within the aliphatic polyester polymer substantially continuous phase;
• and
• c. a compatibilizer, which exhibits a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ratio that is between about 10 to about 40, in a weight amount that is between about 7 to about 25 weight percent, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight amount of the aliphatic polyester polymer;
• the polyolefin microfibers, and the compatibilizer present in the thermoplastic composition,
• wherein the multicomponent fiber exhibits a Receding Contact Angle value that is less than about 55 degrees.

A biodisintegratable nonwoven material comprising a plurality of multicomponent fibers, wherein the multicomponent fibers are prepared from a plurality of components, further wherein one of the components comprises an unreacted thermoplastic mixture comprising:

• a. an aliphatic polyester polymer in a weight amount that is between about 45 to about 90 weight percent, wherein the aliphatic polyester polymer forms a substantially continuous phase;
• b. polyolefin microfibers in a weight amount that is between greater than 0 to about 45 weight percent, wherein the polyolefin microfibers have a diameter that is less than about 50 micrometers and the polyolefin microfibers form a substantially discontinuous phase encased within the aliphatic polyester polymer substantially continuous phase;
• and
• c. a compatibilizer, which exhibits a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ratio that is between about 10 to about 40, in a weight amount that is between about 7 to about 25 weight percent, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight amount of the aliphatic polyester polymer;
• the polyolefin microfibers, and the compatibilizer present in the thermoplastic composition;
• wherein the plurality of multicomponent fibers are arranged in a configuration such that the unreacted thermoplastic component is located at a surface of the multicomponent fiber.