Abstract: A nonwoven web made from a polymeric fiber blend comprising at least one elastomeric polyolefin and at least one nonelastomeric polyolefin useful as the elastic base sheet for a nonwoven laminate is disclosed. Preferably, the polymeric blend will comprise a nonelastomeric resin in the range of from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight, and an elastomeric resin of from about 90 to about 10 percent by weight. The elastomeric polyolefin will have a density of less than about 0.885 g/cm3 and the nonelastomeric polyolefin will have a density of at least about 0.890 g/cm3. In one particular embodiment, the polymeric blend may comprise about 50 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a narrow molecular weight distribution polyethylene and about 50 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a nonelastomeric polyolefin such as a linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A concrete article comprised of concrete having therein a reinforcing fiber, where at least about 50 percent of the reinforcing fibers are frayed only at an end or ends of the reinforcing fibers, may be made by mixing concrete, water and a reinforcing fiber for a sufficient time to fray the ends of at least 50 percent of the fibers and curing the mixture to form the concrete article. The fiber may be a reinforcing fiber comprised of at least two filaments bonded together and the filaments being comprised of a polymeric core and a polymeric sheath comprised of a fusing-fraying polymer, such that the reinforcing fiber, when mixed with inorganic particulates, frays predominately only at an end or ends of the fiber.

Abstract: A concrete article comprised of concrete having therein a reinforcing polymer that has a surface comprised of a thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester. The concrete article is made by mixing concrete, water and a reinforcing polymer that has a surface comprised of a thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyether or polyester and curing said concrete mixture forming the concrete article.

Abstract: A method for preparing a concrete article comprised of concrete having therein a reinforcing fiber, where at least about 50 percent of the reinforcing fibers are frayed only at an end or ends of the reinforcing fibers, may be made by mixing concrete, water and a reinforcing fiber for a sufficient time to fray the ends of at least 50 percent of the fibers and curing the mixture to form the concrete article.

Abstract: A nonwoven web made from a polymeric fiber blend comprising at least one elastomeric polyolefin and at least one nonelastomeric polyolefin useful as the elastic base sheet for a nonwoven laminate is disclosed. Preferably, the polymeric blend will comprise a nonelastomeric resin in the range of from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight, and an elastomeric resin of from about 90 to about 10 percent by weight. The elastomeric polyolefin will have a density of less than about 0.885 g/cm3 and the nonelastomeric polyolefin will have a density of at least about 0.890 g/cm3. In one particular embodiment, the polymeric blend may comprise about 50 percent to about 90 percent by weight of a narrow molecular weight distribution polyethylene and about 50 percent to about 10 percent by weight of a nonelastomeric polyolefin such as a linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A concrete article is prepared by mixing concrete, water and a reinforcing polymer comprised of a substantially random interpolymer of at least one &agr;-olefin, with at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer and curing said concrete mixture to form a concrete article having the reinforcing polymer therein, such that the reinforcing polymer has a surface comprised of the substantially random interpolymer in contact with the concrete.