Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite nonwoven fabric comprising first and second nonwoven webs of spunbonded substantially continuous thermoplastic filaments, and a nonwoven hydrophobic microporous web of thermoplastic meltblown microfibers sandwiched between the first and second nonwoven webs. The filaments of the nonwoven spunbond webs are formed of continuous multiconstituent filaments which include a lower melting gamma radiation stable polyethylene polymer component and one or more higher melting gamma radiation stable polymer constituents, wherein a substantial portion of the surfaces of the multiconstituent filaments consists of the lower melting gamma radiation stable polyethylene constituent. The nonwoven hydrophobic microporous web is formed from a gamma radiation stable polyethylene polymer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite nonwoven fabric comprising a nonwoven web of spunbonded substantially continuous thermoplastic filaments, a nonwoven web of thermoplastic strands, and a nonwoven web of thermoplastic meltblown microfibers sandwiched between the nonwoven web of spunbonded substantially continuous filaments and the nonwoven web of thermoplastic strands. An adhesive agent is disposed between the nonwoven web of spunbonded filaments and the nonwoven web of meltblown microfibers and between the nonwoven web of thermoplastic strands and the nonwoven web of meltblown microfibers, adhering the respective nonwoven webs together to form a unitary composite nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite material comprising a meltblown fabric layer of a thermoplastic polymer sandwiched between two prebonded, spunbonded reinforcing fabric layers of a thermoplastic polymer, all continuously-bonded together to form a composite material. The preferred thermoplastic polymer for both the meltblown and spunbonded layers is polypropylene. The nonwoven composite material contains a minimal number of loose fibers, is highly resistant to the penetration of liquids and would also be expected to exhibit good abrasion resistance, while maintaining tear resistance and softness comparable to non-prebonded materials characterized by discrete bonding patterns. The nonwoven composite material is especially useful as a sterilization wrap for surgical and other health care items.