Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ethylene oxide sterilization sensor and method of use. The sensor includes: at least one thermal indicator component independently selected from an electronic thermal sensor, an irreversible temperature indicator, and a heat-shrinkable film; an acid-functional porous sorbent or an acid-functional nonwoven fibrous substrate in thermal contact with the at least one thermal indicator component; and an acid having a boiling point above 120° C. and a pKa of no greater than 2.5. The acid is impregnated in or covalently attached to the porous sorbent or is covalently attached to the nonwoven fibrous substrate. The sensor includes at least one of the electronic thermal sensor, the irreversible temperature indicator, or the acid-functional nonwoven fibrous substrate.

Abstract: An assembly includes an enclosure including first and second regions spaced apart along a first direction, and a plurality of spaced apart acoustic baffles arranged along a second direction different from the first direction and disposed in the enclosure between the first and second regions. The plurality of spaced apart acoustic baffles includes adjacent first and second acoustic baffles. Each of the first and second acoustic baffles include an acoustically absorptive layer disposed on a sheet having a specific airflow resistance greater than 200 MKS Rayl. The first and second acoustic baffles define a channel therebetween. At least a portion of the channel extends along a longitudinal direction making an oblique angle with the first direction.

Abstract: Provided are non-woven fibrous webs, methods and assemblies thereof. The non-woven fibrous web comprises a plurality of melt-blown fibers. The plurality of melt-blown fibers include a thermoplastic polymer blended with a phosphinate and/or polymeric phosphonate. The provided non-woven articles can afford a fine fiber diameter for enhanced acoustic insulation properties, dimensional stability, and superior flame-retardant properties when compared with conventional non-woven articles having similar fiber diameters.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.

Abstract: Dimensionally-stable fibrous structures including ceramic-coated melt-blown nonwoven fibers made of a flame-retarding polymer and processes for producing such fire-resistant nonwoven fibrous structures. The melt-blown fibers include poly(phenylene sulfide) in an amount sufficient for the nonwoven fibrous structures to pass one or more fire-resistance test, e.g. UL 94 V0, FAR 25.853 (a), FAR 25.856 (a), and CA Title 19, without any halogenated flame-retardant additive, and have a ceramic coating. The melt-blown fibers are subjected to a controlled in-flight heat treatment at a temperature below a melting temperature of the poly(phenylene sulfide) immediately upon exiting from at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, in order to impart dimensional stability to the fibers.

Abstract: The provided articles, assemblies, and methods use a non-woven fibrous web (50) having one or more layers (60) that are densified in situ to provide a layer that is densified relative to one or more adjacent layers, collectively within a unitary non-woven construction. The non-woven web (50) can be made from fibers having a composition and/or structure that resist shrinkage induced by polymer crystallization when subjected to high temperatures. Advantageously, the provided non-woven webs (50) can be molded to form a three-dimensional shaped article that displays dimensional stability.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable fire-resistant fibrous structures including fire-resistant melt-blown nonwoven fibers, and processes and apparatus for producing such dimensionally stable, fire-resistant nonwoven fibrous structures. The melt-blown fibers include poly(phenylene sulfide) in an amount sufficient for the nonwoven fibrous structures to pass one or more fire-resistance test selected from UL 94 V0, FAR 25.853 (a), and FAR 25.856 (a), without any halogenated flame-retardant additive in the nonwoven fibrous structure. The melt-blown fibers are subjected to a controlled in-flight heat treatment at a temperature below a melting temperature of the poly(phenylene sulfide) immediately upon exiting from at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, in order to impart dimensional stability to the fibers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric and articles comprising the composite nonwoven fabric are provided. The composite nonwoven fabric comprises a population of meltblown fibers comprising an aliphatic polyether thermoplastic polyurethane polymer having at least about 80% (by weight) polyalkylene oxide and a population of staple fibers intermixed and entangled therewith.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a dimensionally stable melt blown nonwoven fibrous web. The process includes forming a multiplicity of melt blown fibers by passing a molten stream including molecules of at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer through at least one orifice of a melt-blowing die, subjecting at least a portion of the melt blown fibers to a controlled in-flight heat treatment operation at a temperature below a melting temperature of the at least one thermoplastic semi-crystalline (co)polymer immediately upon exiting from the at least one orifice, and collecting at least some of the melt blown fibers subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation on a collector to form a non-woven fibrous structure. The nonwoven fibrous structure exhibits a Shrinkage less than a Shrinkage measured on an identically-prepared structure including only fibers not subjected to the controlled in-flight heat treatment operation, and generally less than 15%.

Abstract: A nozzle, die, apparatus, system and method for forming a fiber population having a median diameter less than one micrometer, and nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of such sub-micrometer fibers. The nozzle includes a first conduit having a first terminal end, a second conduit positioned coaxially around the first conduit and having a second terminal end proximate the first terminal end, wherein the first and second conduit form an annular channel between the first and second conduit, and additionally wherein the first terminal end extends axially outwardly beyond the second terminal end. The die includes at least one such nozzle, and the apparatus and system include at least one such die. Methods of making nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers, and articles including such nonwoven fibrous webs, are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided self-degrading fibers, and methods of making and methods of using such self-degrading fibers.

Abstract: Generally, the present description relates to a feedblock and a multilayer film die for creating polymeric multilayered films. The feedblock includes a stack of many layers of thin metal plates having flow profile cutouts, to create alternating layers of polymer.

Abstract: A nozzle, die, apparatus, system and method for forming a fiber population having a median diameter less than one micrometer, and nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of such sub-micrometer fibers. The nozzle includes a first conduit having a first terminal end, a second conduit positioned coaxially around the first conduit and having a second terminal end proximate the first terminal end, wherein the first and second conduit form an annular channel between the first and second conduit, and additionally wherein the first terminal end extends axially outwardly beyond the second terminal end. The die includes at least one such nozzle, and the apparatus and system include at least one such die. Methods of making nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers, and articles including such nonwoven fibrous webs, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-component fibers comprising at least one polymer having a softening temperature up to 150° C., and another polymer having a melting point of at least 130° C. The fibers are non-fusing up to at least 110° C. The fibers are useful, for example, for flowback control in wellbores and reservoirs.

Abstract: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.

Abstract: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.

Abstract: A cleaning wipe including a fiber web and a tacky material. The fiber web defines opposing surfaces and an intermediate region between the opposing surfaces. In this regard, at least one of the opposing surfaces serves as a working surface for the cleaning wipe. The tacky material is applied to the web such that a level of tacky material is greater in the intermediate region than at the working surface. In one embodiment, the amount of tacky material per area of web material is greater in the intermediate region than at either of the opposing surfaces. In another embodiment, the fiber web is a nonwoven fiber web.

Abstract: A cleaning wipe including a fiber web and a tacky material. The fiber web defines opposing surfaces and an intermediate region between the opposing surfaces. In this regard, at least one of the opposing surfaces serves as a working surface for the cleaning wipe. The tacky material is applied to the web such that a level of tacky material is greater in the intermediate region than at the working surface. In one embodiment, the amount of tacky material per area of web material is greater in the intermediate region than at either of the opposing surfaces. In another embodiment, the fiber web is a nonwoven fiber web.