Hot-melt adhesive fibers and their use in nonwovens.

摘要

The present invention provides melt-bondable, bicomponent fibers suitable for use in nonwoven articles, said fibers having as a first component a polymer capable of forming fibers and as a second component a compatible blend of polymers capable of adhering to the surface of the first component. The second component has a melting temperature at least 30 DEG C below the melting temperature of the first component, but at least about 130 DEG C. The blend of polymers of the second component comprises a compatible mixture of at least a partially crystalline polymer and an amorphous polymer. The fibers made according to this invention allow nonwoven webs prepared from these fibers to have a reduced level of shrinkage under conventional processing conditions. Accompanying this reduction in shrinkage is a reduction in curling or agglomerating of the individual bicomponent fibers, thereby providing a nonwoven web that will not mar smooth surfaces.