Abstract: A multicomponent fiber for nonwovens and methods for making and using same. The multicomponent fiber can include a first component comprising a first polypropylene having a MFR of at least 30 dg/min and a second polypropylene having a MFR of less than 20 dg/min. The multicomponent fiber can further include a second component comprising the first polypropylene and at least one propylene-based elastomer comprising propylene and about 10 wt % to about 30 wt % of one or more alpha-olefin derived units, based on a total weight of the elastomer, wherein the propylene-based elastomer has a MFR of at least 40 dg/min and a heat of fusion (Hi) of about 3 J/g to about 75 J/g, as determined by DSC.

Abstract: A method can include (a) extruding a bi-component fiber comprising: a first component comprising a first polypropylene homopolymer; and a second component comprising a blend that comprises a propylene-based elastomer and a second polypropylene homopolymer, wherein the blend has a melt flow rate that is at least 20% greater than or at least 20% less than a melt flow rate of the first polypropylene homopolymer; (b) cooling the bi-component fiber; and (c) thermally and/or mechanically activating the bi-component fiber to cause the bi-component fiber to curl.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers and films, which can be deformed at room temperature and exhibit thermally-actuated shape recovery properties and methods of their use are provided.