BIODEGRADABLE FIBERS FORMED FROM A THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION CONTAINING POLYLACTIC ACID AND A POLYETHER COPOLYMER.

摘要

A biodegradable fiber for use in forming a nonwoven web is provided. The fiber is formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising at least one polylactic acid in an amount from about 75 wt.% to about 99 wt.% and at least one polyether copolymer in an amount from about 1 wt.% to about 25 wt.%, wherein the polyether copolymer contains from about 40 mol.% to about 95 mol.% of a repeating unit (A) having the following formula. wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, the polyether copolymer further containing from about 5 mol.% to about 60mol.% of a repeating unit (B) having the following formula. wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150. Such polyether copolymers have been found to improve a variety of characteristics of the resulting thermoplastic composition, including its ability to be melt processed into fibers and webs, as well as its sensitivity to moisture.