Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for making flame retardant fibers comprising the steps of combining a flame retardant masterbatch with a polymer to form a polymer composition and forming the flame retardant fibers from the polymer composition. The masterbatch comprises greater than 10 wt % of a nitrogen compound having a melting point less than 400° C.; and a masterbatch polymer, with the weight percentages based on the total weight of the masterbatch. The flame retardant fibers pass the flame retardancy standards of ASTM D6413 (current year).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a protective fabric having improved chem/bio repellant properties, comprising a nonwoven matrix comprising fibers and metal oxide particles dispersed among the fibers. The nonwoven matrix has an oxide particle retention rate greater than 5%, and the protective fabric demonstrates a flame retardant index greater than 3, as measured in accordance with ISO 14116:2008.

Abstract: A polymer composition having antimicrobial properties, the composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99.99 wt % of a polymer, from 10 wppm to 900 wppm of zinc, less than 1000 wppm of phosphorus, and less than 10 wppm coupling agent and/or surfactant, wherein zinc is dispersed within the polymer; and wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a Klebsiella pneumonia log reduction greater than 0.90, as determined via ISO20743:2013 and/or an Escherichia coli log reduction greater than 1.5, as determined via ASTM E3160 (2018).

Abstract: Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

Abstract: Nonwoven multilayer structures having at least two nanofiber layers are described herein. The nonwoven multilayer structure may have two nanofibers layers that have different properties from each other, such as fiber diameter. One nanofiber layer may be produced by an electrospinning process, while another nanofiber layer may be produced by a melt blown process.

Abstract: An antimicrobial conveyor belt apparatus comprising multiple segments each having a body portion and interlocking fingers extending from the body portion. The segments comprise a polymer composition comprising from 50 wt. % to 99.9 wt. % of a polymer, from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt % zinc, optionally from a zinc compound, less than 1 wt % of a phosphorus compound, and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % molding additives. The conveyor belt apparatus (or the segments thereof) demonstrates a Staphylococcus aureus log reduction greater than 1.0, as determined via ISO 22196:2011.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: A filter comprising a nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: Provided herein are filter media structures having antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties. In particular, the present disclosure describes filter media structures having a first layer with an electret web and a second layer that demonstrates biological-reducing properties. In some cases, the first layer is formed from polypropylene (e.g., spunbond) and the second layer is formed from a plurality of fibers of a polyamide composition (e.g., meltblown).

Abstract: A filter or mask structure, comprising a first face layer comprising a polymer and having a face basis weight, a second outer layer comprising a polymer and having an outer basis weight less than 34 gsm, and a third outer layer comprising a polymer and having a third basis weight and disposed between the first face layer and the second outer layer. At least one of the layers further comprises an AM/AV compound. The mask structure demonstrates an Escherichia coli efficacy log reduction greater than 4.0, as measured in accordance with ASTM E3160 (2018) and a particulate filtration efficiency greater than 90%, as measured in accordance with ASTM F2299-03R17.

Abstract: Provided is a textile made of filament yarn comprising a polymer composition that is durable and reusable having permanent or near-permanent antiviral properties and that includes a polymer, a metal ion, preferably a zinc and/or copper ion, and an optional phosphorus compound, wherein fibers and/or fabric formed from the polymer composition demonstrate antiviral properties and wherein the polymer is hygroscopic. The present disclosure also describes methods of forming the polymer compositions and methods of preparing fibers from the polymer composition.

Abstract: A polymer composition for molded products having antimicrobial and/or antiviral properties comprising from 50 wt. % to 99.9 wt. % of a polymer, from 0.01 wt % to 10 wt % zinc, optionally from a zinc compound, less than 1 wt % of a phosphorus compound, and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % molding additives, wherein a molded product formed from the polymer composition demonstrates a Staphylococcus aureus log reduction greater than 1.0, as determined via ISO 22196:2011.

Abstract: A polymer composition having antimicrobial properties, the composition comprising from 50 wt % to 99.99 wt % of a polymer, from 10 wppm to 900 wppm of zinc, less than 1000 wppm of phosphorus, and less than 10 wppm coupling agent and/or surfactant, wherein zinc is dispersed within the polymer; and wherein fibers formed from the polymer composition demonstrate a Klebsiella pneumonia log reduction greater than 0.90, as determined via ISO20743:2013 and/or an Escherichia coli log reduction greater than 1.5, as determined via ASTM E3160 (2018).

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Abstract: Nonwoven multilayer structures having at least two nanofiber layers are described herein. The nonwoven multilayer structure may have two nanofibers layers that have different properties from each other, such as fiber diameter. One nanofiber layer may be produced by an electrospinning process, while another nanofiber layer may be produced by a melt blown process.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.