Abstract: Laminar structures comprising a fiber reinforced layer bonded to an expandable filler containing layer to provide improved flexural stiffness to weight ratio at lower fiber loading; a process for the manufacture of the laminar structures in which the material are selected so that migration of the expandable filler into the fiber structure of the fiber reinforced layer as they expand is minimized or prevented.

Abstract: A material having a first surface and a second surface is disclosed. The first or second surface comprises a texture. The texture is defined by peaks and valleys such that the textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 3 mm to about 16 mm, an Average Height Differential of at least 1 mm, and a Surface Topography Index from about 0.1 to about 5. The material may comprise a surfactant.

Abstract: A sanitary article is disclosed. The sanitary article comprises a disposable, macroscopically three-dimensional sheet. The sheet has a first surface and a second surface. One of the surfaces comprises a macroscopic three-dimensional texture. The macroscopic three-dimensional texture comprises peaks and valleys such that the textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 3 mm to about 16 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of 1 mm to about 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.1 to about 5. The sanitary article may comprise a surfactant on the sheet.

Abstract: A nonwoven material is disclosed. The nonwoven material comprises a first nonwoven substrate comprising a three-dimensional texture. The three-dimensional texture comprises peaks and valleys such that the texture may comprise an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The first nonwoven substrate may comprise polyester. The nonwoven material comprises a second nonwoven substrate comprising a polyolefin and a surfactant applied to the first or second nonwoven substrates. The surfactant is included at an add-on level of at least 0.1%, by weight of the nonwoven material. The first nonwoven substrate is joined to the second nonwoven substrate.

Abstract: A non-woven product containing organic and/or mineral particles has a volume density less than 1 and has at least two layers of synthetic fibers or filaments superposed in the Z direction perpendicular to the XY plane of the product, having undergone at least one needling operation, where the non-woven product integrates particulate feedstocks of mineral and/or organic particles distributed in a monomodal or multimodal manner in the product and at least partially coated or encapsulated by binding material that can point-connect the filaments or fibers to one another. At least one population or fraction of organic and/or mineral particles, has a size such that: 3×(?{square root over (SMf)})3?v, preferably 5×(?{square root over (SMf)})3?v, where SMf corresponds to the mean cross-section of the fibers or filaments that form the layers, and v represents the mean individual volume of the organic or mineral particles.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed. The article of manufacture comprises a package and a disposable sheet. The sheet has a first surface and a second surface. One of the surfaces comprises a texture. The texture is defined by peaks and valleys such that the one textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The sheet may be contained within the package.

Abstract: A sheet of wiping material has a first outer surface and a second outer surface and a core region between the surfaces. The wiping material includes absorbent fibers and non-absorbent fibers. The wiping material has a stratified structure with a fiber gradient and a higher ratio of absorbent fibers to non-absorbent fibers at the outer surfaces of the wiping material than in the core region. A method of producing the wiping material is described.

Abstract: Described herein is a meltspun laminate comprising two or more layers of meltspun fabrics, wherein layers that are adjacent to one another are in situ entangled with one another to define an interfacial region of mixed fibers between the layers. Also described herein is a method of making a meltspun in situ laminate comprising simultaneously meltspinning two or more polymer melts adjacent to one another to form adjacent fabrics, wherein layers that are adjacent to one another are in situ entangled with one another to form an interfacial region of mixed fibers between the layers. Also described herein is a meltspinning apparatus comprising one or more dies, each die comprising two or more meltspinning zones, wherein each zone comprises a plurality of nozzles that are fluidly connected to the corresponding zone, and wherein each zone is fluidly connected to a melt extruder.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a liquid entrapping device comprising an absorbent component, hydrophilic elastomeric fibrous component in fluid communication therewith, and optionally an adhesive component. The present invention is also directed to a liquid entrapping device having the capacity to absorb liquids while maintaining a suitable degree of mechanical strength. Furthermore, the present invention is generally directed to methods for making and using the foregoing devices and materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven laminate having a first composite layer and a second composite layer. Both the first composite and second composite layers contain staple fibers and substantially continuous thermoplastic fibers. The each of the first and second composite layers have a first outer surface and a second outer surface, wherein a preponderance of the fibers at the first outer surface are the substantially continuous thermoplastic fibers, and a preponderance of the fibers at the second outer surface are the staple fibers. In addition, the second outer surface of the first composite layer is adjacent said one of the first or second outer faces of the second composite layer such that the first outer surface of the first composite layer forms a first side of the nonwoven laminate.

Abstract: A sheet of an artificial leather substrate contains an upper-layer nonwoven fabric A (1) and a base nonwoven fabric B (2). The upper-layer nonwoven fabric A (1) is a wet-laid nonwoven fabric having a density of 0.30 to 0.50 g/cm3 and being produced with synthetic fibers in which the component fibers have a fineness of 0.005 to 1.1 dtex, a fiber length of 3 to 10 mm and a weight per unit area of 20 to 150 g/m2, and the base nonwoven fabric B (2) is a layer of a nonwoven fabric having a density of 0.15 g/cm3 or more and less than 0.28 g/cm3 and being produced with synthetic fibers in which the component fibers have a fineness greater than that of the component fibers of the upper-layer nonwoven fabric A and 4.5 dtex or less, a fiber length of 2 to 15 mm and a weight per unit area of 50 to 400 g/m2. The upper-layer nonwoven fabric A (1) and the base nonwoven fabric B (2) are layered, made into a single body by entanglement of the component fibers of both layers and impregnated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the perforation of nonwovens with a perforating roll and an opposing roll. The perforating roll and opposing roll form a gap, through which a nonwoven being perforated, is guided and perforated. The perforation apparatus comprises a feed device and a withdrawal device. The feed device is arranged such that the nonwoven being perforated advances first onto the opposing roll, before it enters the gap. The withdrawal device is arranged such that after leaving the gap, the perforated nonwoven remains on the perforating roll. Furthermore, a perforation method and a corresponding nonwoven structure are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a three-ply insulating material which has combined properties to selected gases and vapors, thermal insulation, and humidity control. The device is built as a composite of three layers. The outer layer is made from breathable non woven composite. This layer is adjacent to and bonded to the middle layer, composed of high loft fibrous material with substantial weight to volume ratio, between about 2 to about 20 kg/m3. This middle layer is adjacent to a third layer of breathable non woven composite. The composite layered structure so designed forms an insulation blanket with thermal resistance of about 0.8 m2 ° K/W and moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) between 50 and 10000 l/m2/hr.

Abstract: To provide a nonwoven fabric containing ultra-fine fibers suitable as a leather-like sheet, and also a leather-like sheet with an excellent compactness. A nonwoven fabric containing ultra-fine fibers, characterized in that it contains staple fibers with a fiber fineness of 0.0001 to 0.5 decitex and a fiber length of 10 cm or less, and has a weight per unit area of 100 to 550 g/m2, an apparent density of 0.280 to 0.700 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 70 N/cm or more, and a tear strength of 3 to 50 N.

Abstract: An air filter material includes a laminate of an air inlet layer and an air outlet layer, and has a mean flow pore size of 20 ?m to 40 ?m, a minimum pore size of 2.4 ?m to 3.8 ?m, and a maximum pore size of 80 ?m or less. The air inlet layer is a needle punched nonwoven fabric layer having an areal fiber weight of 55 g/m2 to 100 g/m2. The air outlet layer is a laminated spunlace nonwoven fabric made by laminating at least two or more spunlace nonwoven fabric layers having an areal fiber weight of 20 g/m2 to 60 g/m2, a mean flow pore size of 50 ?m to 90 ?m, a minimum pore size of 3.0 ?m to 10.0 ?m, and a maximum pore size of 180 ?m or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminated nonwoven fabric wherein the nonwoven fabric is a laminated one formed by integrating, through compressive bonding, a stacked nonwoven fabric structure comprising an upper and a lower thermoplastic synthetic filamentary fiber layer that have a fiber diameter from 7 ?m or more to 20 ?m, and an intermediate layer composed of thermoplastic synthetic fine fibers that have a fiber diameter of 5 ?m or less, the laminated nonwoven fabric having an intimately mixed structure in which a portion of the fine fibers is intruded into at least one face side of the filamentary fiber layers with an intrusion index of 0.36 or more to bond, surround or interlace the filamentary fibers, a basis of weight of from 10 g or more to 250 g/m2, and a bulk density of 0.20 g/cm3 or more.

Abstract: A laminate non-woven sheet including a first layer, a second layer, and a middle layer. In one embodiment, the first layer consists of melt-blown fibers (and no other type of fibers), the melt-blown fibers have a strength of at least about 5 gpd or more and the first layer has a thickness. The second layer consists of melt-blown fibers (and no other type of fibers), the melt-blown fibers have a strength of about 5 gpd or more and the second layer has a thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the first layer. The middle layer is positioned between the first and second layers. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of cellulose fibers. The middle layer is secured to the first and second layers by at least one of a group of bonds created by fusing fibers in the first, second, and middle layers or hydroentangling the first, second, and middle layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wiper which is which is highly retentive of water, soft to the touch, and improved in sheet strength and a method for manufacturing the same. An interlining layer contains pulp fibers, first and second surfacing layers contain non-fusible fibers, and a reinforcing layer contains fusible fibers and rayon fibers. The fusible fibers are fusion-bonded but the non-fusible fibers remain unfused. Sheet surfaces are free from the fusible fibers.

Abstract: A fibrous blanket material is provided having a first fibrous layer selected from a group of fibers consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, fiberglass, natural fibers, nylon, rayon and blends thereof and a layer of meltblown polypropylene fibers. In an alternative embodiment the blanket may also include a second fibrous layer made of the same material as the first layer where the layer of meltblown polypropylene fibers is sandwiched between the two fibrous layers.

Abstract: A flexible nonwoven mat of polymeric fibers is liquid water transmission resistant and is particularly well suited for use as a prefabricated building construction underlayment. The polymeric fibers may be standard polymeric fibers or sheathed polymeric fibers that have fiber sheaths with a lower softening point temperature than the softening point temperature of the fiber cores. Preferably, the polymeric fibers are spunbond fibers and are bonded together through the application of heat and pressure. Where the fibers are sheathed fibers, interstices of the nonwoven mat are at least partially filled by a portion of the polymeric material of the sheaths that is dispersed into the interstices to reduce the porosity of the mat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer, composite, fleece material having a core layer and at least one cover layer attached to the core layer, where the at least one cover layer is needled with the core layer such that fibers of the at least one cover layer protrude into the core layer. The multilayer, composite, fleece material is intended for use in the manufacture of interior panels of vehicles and to have improved mechanical properties, low thermal conductivity, very low tendency to produce emissions, and good acoustic properties when used for that purpose, as well as enable its inexpensive manufacture.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having abrasion resistance and absorbency suitable for cleaning printer cylinders, especially textured or rough printer cylinders, is formed by hydroentangling a fibrous nonwoven web formed from higher-melting polyester base fibers and lower-melting binder fibers, and then thermally bonding the fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite and a method of making a nonwoven composite including lightly bonding and hydroentangling a continuous filament nonwoven web to improve its integrity for subsequent processing steps, such as adding a first layer to the continuous filament nonwoven web and hydroentangling the first layer and the continuous filament nonwoven web together.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite and a method of making a nonwoven composite including lightly bonding and hydroentangling a continuous filament nonwoven web to improve its integrity and fiber mobility for subsequent processing steps, such as adding a first layer to the continuous filament nonwoven web and hydroentangling the first layer and the continuous filament nonwoven web together.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-woven fabric comprising at least two separate but interconnected layers, each of the layers being provided with discrete interconnections so as to provide discrete voids between the two layers of fabric.

Abstract: A ballistic-resistant material having a first exterior layer formed of a ballistic-resistant non-woven textile, a second exterior layer formed of a ballistic-resistant non-woven textile, and an interior layer of ballistic-resistant woven textile arranged between the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer. The woven textile is a tight weave. The woven layer a high occupation, high fabric density woven textile at or near the technical jamming point of fabric construction. Also disclosed are articles made from the ballistic-resistant material.

Abstract: The apparel is constructed from various combinations of layers of materials with moisture transfer properties. A first liner of moisture transfer fabrics abuts a second layer of structural material such as open-cell foam. The second layer can abut a breathable membrane and/or an insulating material. Finally, carefully selected outer fabric completes the combination to provide apparel with improved performance characteristics. The outer fabrics are treated in various ways to enhance performance.

Abstract: An improved acoustically and thermally insulating composite material suitable for use in structures such as buildings, appliances, and the interior passenger compartments and exterior components of automotive vehicles, comprising at least one airlaid fibrous layer of controlled density and composition and incorporating suitable binding agents and additives as needed to meet expectations for noise abatement, fire, and mildew resistance. Separately, an airlaid structure which provides a reduced, controlled airflow therethrough useful for acoustic insulation is provided, and which includes a woven or nonwoven scrim.

Abstract: A felt for papermaking which is less prone to be crushed during operation of high speed paper machine, promptly begins stable papermaking after starting the machine, assures durability, and maintains surface smoothness.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet has a first side and a second side, the first side being a body-facing side. The topsheet defines a CD-MD plane and includes a fibrous nonwoven web and tufts, the tufts having fibers of the fibrous nonwoven web. The topsheet further includes first, second and third zones, each zone being characterized in a Z-direction by the zone fiber orientation, wherein the first and third zones are displaced relative to each other and each include fibers having portions orientated substantially parallel to said CD-MD plane of the topsheet. The second zone is intermediate and adjacent to the first and third zones, the second zone including substantially reoriented fibers that are substantially vertically oriented with respect to the CD-MD plane of said topsheet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the design and manufacturing of a field durable, repeatedly launderable and permanently fire resistant, comfortable and economical FR nonwoven composite fabric based garment, which meets the stringent requirements of military combat uniform clothing. The nonwoven based garment is designed to replace the traditional woven textile fabric used in the military today. The novel garment of the current invention is constructed using a unique spunlaced or hydroentangled FR nonwoven composite fabric that exhibits mechanical, physical, durability and comfort characteristics similar to or better than that of the current woven military uniform fabric. In particular, the present invention contemplates the nonwoven composite fabric used to make the garment is prepared by combining at least two separate nonwoven webs forming the inside and outside layers of the garment.

Abstract: A composite web adapted for use as a component in a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The composite web comprises a first fibrous layer and a second layer, the first and second layers each comprising a body-facing side and a garment-facing side and are disposed in a face to face relationship to form a laminate. The first fibrous layer comprises a fibrous web of randomly oriented fibers with respect to an X-Y plane, and a plurality of discrete regions of fiber reorientation at least on the body-facing side thereof, and a plurality of fibers having portions reoriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X-Y plane and extending toward the garment-facing side.

Abstract: A fibrous blanket material is provided having a first fibrous layer selected from a group of fibers consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, fiberglass, natural fibers, nylon, rayon and blends thereof and a layer of meltblown polypropylene fibers. In an alternative embodiment the blanket may also include a second fibrous layer made of the same material as the first layer where the layer of meltblown polypropylene fibers is sandwiched between the two fibrous layers.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid impregnated sheets containing a combination of split-fibres and/or meltblown fibres with regular fibres of thermoplastic polymers. The sheets can be monolayers or multilayers with non-wovens of split-fibres on the outer portions of the multilayered sheets. The sheets possess good storage and release characteristics for a liquid and can be used as cleansing sheets for personal care or for polishing purposes.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric including concaves and convexes, and at least a fiber basis weight which is adjusted, and its manufacturing method are provided. The nonwoven fabric 110 is formed into a substantially sheet-like shape of predetermined thickness and its fiber basis weight is adjusted by directing a fluid, mainly consisting of gas, to a fiber web 100, the fibers of which have a high degree of freedom to move. The nonwoven fabric 110 includes a plurality of groove portions 1, which are low basis weight portions, and a plurality of convex portions 2, which are high basis weight portions, that are continuously formed along the groove portions 1 and are adjacent to each of the plurality of groove portions 1. The Fiber basis weights of the plurality of groove portions 1 are less than those of the plurality of convex portions 2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an automobile interior material or construction sheet with excellent processability, and its product made therefrom. More particularly, a method comprises by carding short fibers wherein short fibers are mixed with polypropylene fibers and polyethylene fibers in a mixing ratio of 3 to 7:7 to 3, on one side or both sides of a foamed layer produced by foaming any one selected from the group consisting of polypropylene chips, polyethylene chips, polyurethane chips, and expanded polystyrene chips; setting the short fibers with a shape of a truss in the foamed layer by interlacing the short fibers through a needle punching process; and thermally forming the short fiber layer(s) on the foamed layer by heating the portions of the short fibers exposed on the outside the foamed layer to 120 to 250° C. and pressing thereby melting, cooling and hardening the fused portions of the short fibers.

Abstract: Acoustically absorptive carpeting includes a primary layer of fibrous material with yarn tufts extending outwardly therefrom and a secondary layer of thermoplastic material that forms a carpet backing. The carpet backing is rendered porous. A substrate of porous material is attached to the carpet backing. The substrate includes a layer of fine fibrous material attached to a layer of coarse fibrous material. The layers of fine and coarse fibrous material each have respective different acoustic impedances. The layer of coarse fibrous material has fibers in an open, loose configuration. The carpet backing is bonded to the layer of coarse fibrous material with a thermoplastic adhesive material such that the thermoplastic adhesive material encapsulates individual fibers of the layer of coarse fibrous material without extending therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric for a machine for producing and/or further processing a material web, in particular a fibrous web, having a carrier structure and a fiber batt, the fiber batt comprising fibers which, in order to form elongated fiber segments, can be split substantially along their longitudinal extent, at least in some sections, and/or which are split substantially along their longitudinal extent, at least in some sections, forming elongated fiber segments. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for producing the fabric and to a method for conditioning the fabric in the machine for producing the material web.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a relatively thick, lightweight, nonwoven insulating mat. The method includes the steps of forming a relatively thin, relatively dense first outer layer by needle punching a first batt of glass fibers and forming a relatively thin, relatively dense second outer layer by needle punching a second batt of glass fibers. A relatively thicker, relatively less dense intermediate batt of glass fibers is fed between the first and second layers. Thereafter, the first layer, intermediate batt, and second layer are needle punched together to form a multi-layer mat having a first layer, middle layer, and second layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skin care article exhibiting a scrub cleaning effect by friction and comprising at least one first and one second external layer made of a fibrous material. The inventive article is characterized in that the first layer (10, 10?, 10?) forms an absorbing cushion and substantially consists of low-micronaire cellulose fibers, in particular less than 8, and the second layer (20, 20?, 20?) is substentially consists of high-micronaire fibers, in particular of micronaire higher than 8, said layers being selected from the following materials: flax, ramie, sisal, jute and hemp separate or mixed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing material formed from bulked fibres that are combined in the form of a mat or a nonwoven. The bulked fibres differ as regards the material or degree of bulking. Alternatively or in addition, unbulked fibres are used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric with improved flame retardant properties and the making thereof, whereby the nonwoven fabric is differentially entangled to collapse upon itself and self-extinguish upon burning. The self-extinguishing fabric further exhibits favorable tactile and ductile softness while obtaining sufficient physical strength.

Abstract: A filter media formed in accordance with the present invention comprises hydroentangled, predominantly polyester staple length fibers having a basis weight of no more than about 12 oz/yd2. The filter media exhibits a Mullen burst strength of at least about 395 psi, and machine-direction and cross-direction shrinkage of less than about 3%, preferably less than about 2% . The filter media exhibits a machine-direction tensile strength of at least about 105 lb/in, and a cross-direction tensile strength of at least about 110 lb/in.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a multi-layer nonwoven fiber material, and related methods of manufacturing the material. In one exemplary embodiment, the fiber material includes a first layer of directionally aligned fibers together with a second layer of randomly dispersed fibers dispersed over the first layer. Consistent with one exemplary method for manufacturing a nonwoven fiber material, the method includes dispersing a first plurality of fibers horizontally in one or more predetermined directions, as well as dispersing a second plurality of fibers horizontally in random directions. In such an embodiment, the second plurality of fibers is dispersed over the first plurality of fibers. Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of a roofing shingle employing a nonwoven fiber material as described herein is as disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internally-tufted laminate adapted to provide improved softness and cloth-like feel.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet is disclosed. The topsheet has a first side and a second side, the first side being a body-facing side and the second side being in fluid communication with the absorbent core. The topsheet also has a first relatively hydrophobic component and a second relatively hydrophilic component, the relatively hydrophilic component extending through the relatively hydrophobic component and being disposed on both of the sides of the topsheet. The absorbent article exhibits a rewet value of less than about 94 mg, and a fluid acquisition rate of at least about 0.10 ml/sec when tested by the Gush Acquisition and Rewet Test Method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonwoven fabric having a combination of a planar background element and projection elements to form a three-dimensional pattern, and a plurality of durable sub-millimeter orifices that extend at least partially through the depth of the three-dimensional pattern. The three-dimensional image of the non-apertured nonwoven fabric enhances the treatment, cleaning or cleansing performance due to pronounced surface projections that come in contact with the object to be treated or cleaned, and provide air passageways that are parallel to the plane of the substrate. Incorporation of sub-millimeter orifices in the nonwoven fabric, which extend through at least part of the nonwoven fabric, allow for transmission of fluids, as well as applied or embedded chemistries, from one side or surface of the substrate, or from a region internal to the nonwoven fabric, to the side which is in communication with the formed orifice.

Abstract: Multi-layer substrates for a premoistened wipe capable of controlled fluid release comprise a reservoir layer and a surface contact layer, wherein the reservoir and surface contact layers have certain blends of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers, as well as certain basis weights. Premoistened wipes for treating and/or cleaning a surface comprise the multi-layer substrate and a liquid composition impregnated into the multi-layer substrate, wherein the liquid composition comprises a surfactant system and/or a solvent system. Methods of treating and/or cleaning a surface comprise the step of contacting the surface with a premoistened wipe of the present invention.

Abstract: A filter media formed in accordance with the present invention comprises hydroentangled, predominantly polyester staple length fibers having a basis weight of no more than about 12 oz/yd2. The filter media exhibits a Mullen burst strength of at least about 395 psi, and machine-direction and cross-direction shrinkage of less than about 3%, preferably less than about 2%. The filter media exhibits a machine-direction tensile strength of at least about 105 lb/in, and a cross-direction tensile strength of at least about 110 lb/in.