Abstract: The method of autogenously bonding a nonwoven web made from polyamide filaments wherein the filaments contain 0.1 to 20 weight percent of an activating agent and sufficient moisture that the molar ratio of water to activating agent in the filaments is above the bonding limit, wherein the web is heated sufficiently to drive off enough water to reduce the molar ratio of water to agent to a value below the bonding limit and pressed to autogenously bond the filaments in the web. After pressing, the activating agent is desorbed from the web.

Abstract: The method of pattern bonding nonwoven webs made from polyamide filaments wherein the web is exposed in a first treatment zone to a gaseous mixture of an activating agent and water and is then exposed in a second treatment zone to a wet atmosphere to allow the web to absorb enough additional moisture so that the web becomes essentially unbondable when pressed at room temperature. The web is then passed between a pair of rolls, at least one of which is embossed or engraved and heated to a sufficient temperature to autogenously bond discrete portions of the web while leaving the remainder of the web essentially unbonded. The high molar ratio of water to activating agent in the outer portions of the filaments in the web will prevent bonding of the web in those areas not contacted by the embossed roll, so that the web will have a high tenacity plus good drape and hand characteristics.