Abstract: The present invention relates to nonwoven webs or fabrics. In particular, the present invention relates to nonwoven webs having superior abrasion resistance and excellent softness characteristics. The nonwoven materials comprise fibers made from of a polymer blend of isotactic polypropylene, reactor grade propylene based elastomers or plastomers, and optionally, a homoge-neously branched ethylene/alpha olefin plastomer or elastomer. The isotactic polypropylene can be homopolymer polypropylene, and random copolymers of propylene and one or more alpha-olefins. The reactor grade propylene based elastomers or plastomers plastomer have a molecular weight distribution of less than about 3.5, and a heat of fusion less than about 90 joules/gm. In particular, the reactor grade propylene based elastomers or plastomers contains from about 3 to about 15 percent by weight of units derived from an ethylene, and a melt flow rate of from about 2 to about 200 grams/10 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicomponent fiber having increased surface roughness. The fiber includes a first polymer and a composite, wherein the composite forms a layer which forms at least a portion of the fiber's surface. The composite is formed by a second polymer and a filler, where an average particle size of the filler can be greater than a thickness of the layer formed by the composite. The fibers can have a round, oval, trilobal, triangular, dog-boned, flat or hollow shape and a symmetrical or asymmetrical sheath/core or side-by-side configuration. When the fiber has a sheath/core configuration, the composite can form the sheath, and the average particle size of the filler can be greater than the thickness of the sheath.

Abstract: Fibers that exhibit good elasticity or extensibility and tenacity, and low modulus are prepared from propylene-based copolymers. The propylene-based copolymers comprise at least about 50 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and at least about 8 wt % of units derived from one or more comonomers other than propylene, e.g., ethylene. Particularly preferred propylene copolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. In one aspect of the invention, fibers are subjected to stress-induced crystallization by subjecting the fiber to tensile elongation during draw.

Abstract: Extensible bicomponent fibers and webs particularly adapted for disposable personal care product component applications. Sheath/core configurations providing desirable feel properties for elastic embodiments when compared with conventional elastic fibers and webs are obtained with specific olefin polymer combinations and sheath configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to soft touch fibers and nonwoven fabrics made from such fibers. The fibers comprise an incompatible polymer system which leads to the soft touch quality. The fibers comprise a mixture of at least two thermoplastic polymers each having different viscosities and wherein the mixture has an interfacial tension from about 0.5 to about 20 mN/m, and wherein the mixture comprises a portion of the fiber surface. The fibers may include from 40-98 percent of a polyolefin continuous phase and from 2 to 60 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplast dispersed phase, such as polystyrene or polyamide.

Abstract: Fibers that exhibit good elasticity or extensibility and tenacity, and low modulus are prepared from propylene-based copolymers. The propylene-based copolymers comprise at least about 50 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and at least about 8 wt % of units derived from one or more comonomers other than propylene, e.g., ethylene. Particularly preferred propylene copolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. In one aspect of the invention, fibers are subjected to stress-induced crystallization by subjecting the fiber to tensile elongation during draw.

Abstract: Extensible bicomponent fibers and webs particularly adapted for disposable personal care product component applications. Sheath/core configurations providing desirable feel properties for elastic embodiments when compared with conventional elastic fibers and webs are obtained with specific olefin polymer combinations and sheath configurations.