Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: A paperboard and a cardboard comprising at least one nonwoven web layer are provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 1 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The paperboard and cardboard can incorporate a large amount of post consumer recycled fibers and still exhibit high strength and durability. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: A battery separator comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 10 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The battery separator exhibits an enhanced combination of strength, durability, and ionic resistance.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: Ribbon fibers, nonwoven articles derived therefrom, and their process of manufacture are provided. The ribbon fibers are derived from multicomponent fibers having a striped configuration and have a length of less than 25 millimeters, a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns, and a transverse aspect ratio of at least 2:1. The ribbon fibers are formed from a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer. The nonwoven articles containing the ribbon fibers may be used for a wide array of products.

Abstract: A high efficiency filter comprising at least one nonwoven web layer is provided. The nonwoven web layer comprises a plurality of first fibers, a plurality of second fibers, and a binder. The first fibers comprise a water non-dispersible synthetic polymer and have a different configuration and/or composition than the second fibers. The first fibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a minimum transverse dimension of less than 5 microns. The nonwoven web layer comprises at least 15 weight percent of the first fibers, at least 10 weight percent of the second fibers, and at least 1 weight percent of the binder. The high efficiency filter has a filtration efficiency of 85% (DIN EN 1822) or higher. Also disclosed is a process for producing the first fibers and the multicomponent fibers from which they are derived.

Abstract: A water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and length of less than 25 millimeters. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers is also provided, the process comprising: a) cutting a multicomponent fiber into cut multicomponent fibers; b) contacting a fiber-containing feedstock with water to produce a fiber mix slurry; wherein the fiber-containing feedstock comprises cut multicomponent fibers; c) heating the fiber mix slurry to produce a heated fiber mix slurry; d) optionally, mixing the fiber mix slurry in a shearing zone; e) removing at least a portion of the sulfopolyester from the multicomponent fiber to produce a slurry mixture comprising a sulfopolyester dispersion and water non-dispersible polymer microfibers; and f) separating the water non-dispersible polymer microfibers from the slurry mixture.

Abstract: A facing laminate for insulation products includes: a foil or metallized polymeric film sheet layer forming an inner layer of the laminate that is adapted be bonded directly to a surface of an insulation product; a paper composite sheet layer, which may include synthetic and/or inorganic fibers, forming an outer exposed layer of the laminate; and a scrim intermediate and bonded to the foil or metallized polymeric film sheet and paper composite sheet layers. The facing laminate may include a humectant and/or a water, oil, and/or grease repellant component. The paper composite sheet layer of the laminate exhibits greater dimensional stability and reduced wrinkling when the laminate is exposed to conditions of high humidity. Insulation products to be faced with this facing laminate include pipe insulation, duct board, duct wrap insulation, metal building insulation, and other building insulation products.

Abstract: A water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and length of less than 25 millimeters. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers is also provided, the process comprising: a) cutting a multicomponent fiber into cut multicomponent fibers; b) contacting a fiber-containing feedstock with water to produce a fiber mix slurry; wherein the fiber-containing feedstock comprises cut multicomponent fibers; c) heating the fiber mix slurry to produce a heated fiber mix slurry; d) optionally, mixing the fiber mix slurry in a shearing zone; e) removing at least a portion of the sulfopolyester from the multicomponent fiber to produce a slurry mixture comprising a sulfopolyester dispersion and water non-dispersible polymer microfibers; and f) separating the water non-dispersible polymer microfibers from the slurry mixture.

Abstract: A microfiber-containing wet lap composition is provided. The wet lap composition comprises a mixture of a sulfopolyester dispersion and a plurality of water nondispersible synthetic polymer microfibers. The microfibers have an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and a length of less than 25 millimeters. The sulfopolyester dispersion comprises at least one sulfopolyester and water.

Abstract: Methods of removing gallium and gallium-containing materials from surfaces within a substrate processing chamber using a cleaning mixture are described. The cleaning mixture contains an iodine-containing compound and is introduced into the processing chamber. Iodine reacts with gallium resident within the chamber to produce thermally volatile Gal3. The Gal3 is removed using the exhaust system of the chamber by raising the temperature of the desorbing surface. Other volatile gallium-containing by-products may also be formed and removed from the exhaust system.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning a processing chamber with nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) are described. The methods involve a concurrent introduction of nitrogen trifluoride and a reactive diluent into the chamber. The NF3 may be excited in a plasma inside the chamber or in a remote plasma region upstream from the chamber. The reactive diluent may be introduced upstream or downstream of the remote plasma such that both NF3 and the reactive diluent (and any plasma-generated effluents) are present in the chamber during cleaning. The presence of the reactive diluent enhances the chamber-cleaning effectiveness of the NF3.

Abstract: Methods of etching high-aspect-ratio features in dielectric materials such as silicon oxide are described. The methods may include a concurrent introduction of a fluorocarbon precursor and an iodo-fluorocarbon precursor into a substrate processing system housing a substrate. The fluorocarbon precursor may have a F:C atomic ratio of about 2:1 or less, and the iodo-fluorocarbon may have a F:C ratio of about 1.75:1 to about 1.5:1. Exemplary precursors may include C4F6, C5F8 and C2F3I, among others. The substrate processing system may be configured to allow creation of a plasma useful for accelerating ions created in the plasma toward the substrate. The substrate may have regions of exposed silicon oxide and an overlying patterned photoresist layer which exposes narrow regions of silicon oxide. The etch process may remove the silicon oxide to a significant depth while maintaining a relatively constant width down the trench.

Abstract: Sulfopolyester thermoplastic resins provide advantages in papermaking processes and in paper products including paperboard. Improvements in wet strength and dry strength of paper products are achieved by addition of sulfopolyester thermoplastic resins and cationic strength additives during the paper making process. The use of sulfopolyester thermoplastic resins in paper products also significantly enhances the repulpability of the paper.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a hydraulically-formed nonwoven sheet, a package comprising such sheet, a method of packaging a medical device using a package with such sheet and a method of manufacturing such sheet are provided. This nonwoven sheet comprises first and second non-cellulosic polymeric fibers. The first non-cellulosic polymeric fibers have an average diameter less than about 3.5 micron, an average cut length less than about 3 millimeters and an average aspect ratio of about 400 to about 2000; the second non-cellulosic polymeric fibers have an average diameter greater than about 3.5 micron and an average aspect ratio of about 400 to about 1000. In a second embodiment, a hydraulically-formed nonwoven sheet is provided. This nonwoven sheet comprises binding material, non-cellulosic polymeric fibers and cellulosic based materials. The non-cellulosic polymeric fibers have an average diameter less than about 3.

Abstract: A mask for being worn over the nose and mouth of a wearer, and a panel having sufficient transparency to permit visual observation of the mouth of the wearer. The panel is formed from first and second overlying transparent, pleated films perforated with elongate slits sized to permit two-way transit of gases, but not liquids, under atmospheric pressure. The first and second films each include a multitude of projections for maintaining between the first and second films a multitude of tortuous flow paths for permitting respiratory gas flow through the panel.

Abstract: A facing laminate for insulation products includes: a foil or metallized polymeric film sheet layer forming an inner layer of the laminate that is adapted be bonded directly to a surface of an insulation product; a paper composite sheet layer, which may include synthetic and/or inorganic fibers, forming an outer exposed layer of the laminate; and a scrim intermediate and bonded to the foil or metallized polymeric film sheet and paper composite sheet layers. The facing laminate may include a humectant and/or a water, oil, and/or grease repellant component. The paper composite sheet layer of the laminate exhibits greater dimensional stability and reduced wrinkling when the laminate is exposed to conditions of high humidity. Insulation products to be faced with this facing laminate include pipe insulation, duct board, duct wrap insulation, metal building insulation, and other building insulation products.