Fabric with discrete elastic and plastic regions and method for making same

An in situ compositionally modulated meltspun fabric, comprising:

• at least one layer comprising a plurality of discrete regions of fiber, wherein at least two discrete regions of fiber are inelastic or extensible and at least one discrete region of fiber is elastic, wherein the layer is compositionally modulated in the cross direction,
• wherein the discrete region of fiber that is elastic comprises a propylene-α-olefin copolymer that comprises propylene-derived units and 5 to 30 wt % of comonomer-derived units, based on the weight of the propylene-α-olefin, where the propylene-α-olefin copolymer has a melting point of less than 105° C.;
• and
• at least one facing layer disposed on the layer comprising the plurality of discrete regions of fiber, wherein the facing layer consists essentially of one or more inelastic resins or one or more extensible resins such that the composition is modulated in the z-direction of the fabric.

An in situ compositionally modulated meltspun fabric, comprising:

• a first layer comprising a plurality of discrete regions of fiber, wherein at least two discrete regions of fiber are inelastic or extensible and at least one discrete region of fiber is elastic or extensible,
• wherein the discrete region of fiber that is elastic comprises a propylene-α-olefin copolymer that comprises propylene-derived units and 5 to 30 wt % of comonomer-derived units, based on the weight of the propylene-α-olefin, where the propylene-α-olefin copolymer has a melting point of less than 105° C.;
• and
• a second layer comprising a plurality of discrete regions of fiber, wherein at least two discrete regions of fiber are inelastic or extensible and at least one discrete region of fiber is elastic or extensible, wherein the first and second layers are each compositionally modulated in the cross direction.