Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

Various aspects disclosed relate to structures such as a textile, a garment, a garment component, footwear, or a footwear component. The present disclosure includes the structure having a first region having one of more first fibers. An individual first fiber includes co-extruded first and second filaments, the first filament formed of a first thermoplastic polymeric material. Due to expansion or contraction of the one or more first fibers, the first region contracts or expands on a change in relative humidity, relative to an equilibrium state of the first region prior to the change in relative humidity.

Various aspects disclosed relate to structures such as a textile, a garment, a garment component, footwear, or a footwear component. The present disclosure includes the structure having a first region having one of more first fibers. An individual first fiber includes co-extruded first and second filaments, the first filament formed of a first thermoplastic polymeric material. Due to expansion or contraction of the one or more first fibers, the first region contracts or expands on a change in relative humidity, relative to an equilibrium state of the first region prior to the change in relative humidity.

Disclosed herein are carpets whose face fiber comprises a bicomponent fiber comprising one component of poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer and a second component of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) polymer or a blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer, wherein the bicomponent fiber is self-bulking due to differential shrinkage. Also disclosed is an improved process for making a yarn to produce a carpet whose face fiber comprises a self-bulking bicomponent fiber comprising one component of poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer and a second component of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) or a blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer.

Disclosed herein are carpets whose face fiber comprises a bicomponent fiber comprising one component of poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer and a second component of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) polymer or a blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer, wherein the bicomponent fiber is self-bulking due to differential shrinkage. Also disclosed is an improved process for making a yarn to produce a carpet whose face fiber comprises a self-bulking bicomponent fiber comprising one component of poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer and a second component of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) or a blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymer or poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymer.

The invention relates to a spunbond nonwoven material made of continuous filaments, in particular crimped continuous filaments, the filaments being in the form of bicomponent filaments or multicomponent filaments and having an eccentric sheath-core configuration. The sheath of the filaments, in the filament cross-section, has a constant thickness d over at least 20% of the filament circumference.

The invention relates to a spunbond nonwoven material made of continuous filaments, in particular crimped continuous filaments, the filaments being in the form of bicomponent filaments or multicomponent filaments and having an eccentric sheath-core configuration. The sheath of the filaments, in the filament cross-section, has a constant thickness d over at least 20% of the filament circumference.

A process for forming a fiber tow, involves a wet spinning procedure comprising the steps of: dissolving cellulose pulp N in an alkaline aqueous solvent to form a cellulose spin dope composition, spinning the cellulose spin dope composition in a coagulation having a p H of more than 7.0, preferably a pH of at least 10, to produce a fiber tow, and passing the produced fiber tow through a sequence of consecutive stretching and washing steps in which the formed fiber tow is washed with a washing liquid by a counter-current flow washing procedure.

A process for forming a fiber tow, involves a wet spinning procedure comprising the steps of: dissolving cellulose pulp N in an alkaline aqueous solvent to form a cellulose spin dope composition, spinning the cellulose spin dope composition in a coagulation having a p H of more than 7.0, preferably a pH of at least 10, to produce a fiber tow, and passing the produced fiber tow through a sequence of consecutive stretching and washing steps in which the formed fiber tow is washed with a washing liquid by a counter-current flow washing procedure.