A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones the first region exhibits a Contact Angle of greater than 90 degrees, as measured by the Contact Angle Test Method detailed herein.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones the first region exhibits a Contact Angle of greater than 90 degrees, as measured by the Contact Angle Test Method detailed herein.

A nonwoven fabric is provided. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, wherein at least one of the surfaces has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V.sup.2 rms, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value that is higher than the second surface TS7 value.

A nonwoven fabric is provided. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, wherein at least one of the surfaces has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V.sup.2 rms, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value that is higher than the second surface TS7 value.

A nonwoven fabric structure according to the present invention is a nonwoven fabric structure comprising a long-fiber nonwoven fabric as a main constituent, wherein the nonwoven fabric structure has a basis weight of 250 to 2000 g/m.sup.2, a Frazier permeability of 0 to 20 cc/cm.sup.2.Math.s, and an apparent density of 0.5 to 1.3 g/cm.sup.3, and therefore has excellent shaping properties and excellent mechanical strength properties.

A nonwoven fabric structure according to the present invention is a nonwoven fabric structure comprising a long-fiber nonwoven fabric as a main constituent, wherein the nonwoven fabric structure has a basis weight of 250 to 2000 g/m.sup.2, a Frazier permeability of 0 to 20 cc/cm.sup.2.Math.s, and an apparent density of 0.5 to 1.3 g/cm.sup.3, and therefore has excellent shaping properties and excellent mechanical strength properties.

The invention concerns spunbond nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of bicomponent filaments, the bicomponent filaments having a segmented pie cross-sectional configuration including a polycarbonate component and a polypropylene component, wherein a ratio of the polypropylene component to the polycarbonate component is between about 5:95 and about 95:5.

The invention concerns spunbond nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of bicomponent filaments, the bicomponent filaments having a segmented pie cross-sectional configuration including a polycarbonate component and a polypropylene component, wherein a ratio of the polypropylene component to the polycarbonate component is between about 5:95 and about 95:5.

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.

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.