Abstract: A polymer composition having antimicrobial properties, the composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99.99 wt % of a polymer, from 10 wppm to 900 wppm of zinc, less than 1000 wppm of phosphorus, and less than 10 wppm coupling agent and/or surfactant, wherein zinc is dispersed within the polymer; and wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a Klebsiella pneumonia log reduction greater than 0.90, as determined via ISO20743:2013 and/or an Escherichia coli log reduction greater than 1.5, as determined via ASTM E3160 (2018).

Abstract: A method for tuning characteristics of a polyamide nanofiber nonwoven comprising the step of targeting a specific average nanofiber diameter and/or a specific relative viscosity for the polyamide nanofiber nonwoven. The specific average nanofiber diameter is within a range from 100 nm to 1000 nm and/or the specific relative viscosity is within a range from 5 to 75, e.g., from 15 to 50. The process further comprises the steps of extruding a polyamide composition having a moisture content with a pressurized gas through a fiber forming channel having a channel temperature to form the polyamide nanofiber nonwoven having the target average nanofiber diameter and/or relative viscosity and controlling the moisture content, the pressure of pressurized gas, and/or the channel temperature based on the specific average nanofiber diameter and/or the specific relative viscosity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nonwoven polyamide structure having antimicrobial properties comprising: nonwoven polyamide fibers comprising less than 4000 ppm zinc dispersed within the nonwoven polyamide fibers; and less than 2000 ppm phosphorus. The fibers have an average fiber diameter of less than 25 microns; and the polyamide structure demonstrates a Staphylococcus aureus reduction of at least 90%, as measured by ISO 20743-13.

Abstract: An AM/AV fabric, comprising base fibers comprising a base polymer composition comprising a base polymer; and short AM/AV fibers comprising an AM/AV polymer composition comprising an AM/AV polymer and an AM/AV compound. The fabric has a charge and demonstrates a particle efficiency greater than 20% when measured in accordance with TSI 8130A test system at 10.5 ft/min face velocity, and a Klebsiella pneumoniae efficacy log reduction greater than 1.5, as measured in accordance with ASTM E3160 (2018).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nonwoven polyamide structure having antimicrobial properties comprising: nonwoven polyamide fibers comprising less than 4000 ppm zinc dispersed within the nonwoven polyamide fibers; and less than 2000 ppm phosphorus. The fibers have an average fiber diameter of less than 25 microns; and the polyamide structure demonstrates a Staphylococcus Aureus reduction of at least 90%, as measured by ISO 20743-13.

Abstract: Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

Abstract: An AM/AV fabric comprising base fibers comprising a base polymer composition and AM/AV fibers comprising an AM/AV polymer composition comprising an AM/AV polymer and an AM/AV compound. The base fibers and the AM/AV fibers are intermingled with one another; and the fabric demonstrates an Escherichia coli efficacy log reduction greater than 4.0, as measured in accordance with ASTM E3160 (2018) and a particle filtration efficiency greater than 35%.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A filter comprising a nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A sound absorbing multi-layer composite for a vehicle that reduces sounds along an acoustic path is configured with a non-foam polymeric layer and a face layer for dissipating sound energy. Also, the face layer may be made of a nonwoven polymer comprising at least 60% of a polyamide containing an aliphatic diamine having 6 or more carbon atoms and an aliphatic diacid having 6 or more carbon atoms. The weighted overall average fiber diameter of the composite is from 2 microns to 25 microns.

Abstract: Provided herein are filter media structures having antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties. In particular, the present disclosure describes filter media structures having a first layer with an electret web and a second layer that demonstrates biological-reducing properties. In some cases, the first layer is formed from polypropylene (e.g., spunbond) and the second layer is formed from a plurality of fibers of a polyamide composition (e.g., meltblown).

Abstract: A method for tuning characteristics of a polyamide nanofiber nonwoven comprising the step of targeting a specific average nanofiber diameter and/or a specific relative viscosity for the polyamide nanofiber nonwoven. The specific average nanofiber diameter is within a range from 100 nm to 1000 nm and/or the specific relative viscosity is within a range from 5 to 75, e.g., from 15 to 50. The process further comprises the steps of extruding a polyamide composition having a moisture content with a pressurized gas through a fiber forming channel having a channel temperature to form the polyamide nanofiber nonwoven having the target average nanofiber diameter and/or relative viscosity and controlling the moisture content, the pressure of pressurized gas, and/or the channel temperature based on the specific average nanofiber diameter and/or the specific relative viscosity.

Abstract: A filter or mask structure, comprising a first face layer comprising a polymer and having a face basis weight, a second outer layer comprising a polymer and having an outer basis weight less than 34 gsm, and a third outer layer comprising a polymer and having a third basis weight and disposed between the first face layer and the second outer layer. At least one of the layers further comprises an AM/AV compound. The mask structure demonstrates an Escherichia coli efficacy log reduction greater than 4.0, as measured in accordance with ASTM E3160 (2018) and a particulate filtration efficiency greater than 90%, as measured in accordance with ASTM F2299-03R17.

Abstract: A polymer composition for molded products having antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties comprising from 50 wt. % to 99.9 wt. % of a polymer, from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt % zinc, optionally from a zinc compound, less than 1 wt % of a phosphorus compound, and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % molding additives, wherein a molded product formed from the polymer composition demonstrates a Staphylococcus aureus log reduction greater than 1.0, as determined via ISO 22196:2011.

Abstract: A polymer composition having antimicrobial properties, the composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99.99 wt % of a polymer, from 10 wppm to 900 wppm of zinc, less than 1000 wppm of phosphorus, and less than 10 wppm coupling agent and/or surfactant, wherein zinc is dispersed within the polymer; and wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a Klebsiella pneumonia log reduction greater than 0.90, as determined via ISO20743:2013 and/or an Escherichia coli log reduction greater than 1.5, as determined via ASTM E3160 (2018).

Abstract: Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.