Provided are bicomponent fibers with improved curvature. The bicomponent fibers comprise a first polymer region or first region and a second polymer region or second region. The first region according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprises an ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and has a light scattering cumulative detector fraction (CDF.sub.LS) of greater than 0.1200, wherein the CDF.sub.LS is computed by measuring the area fraction of a low angle laser light scattering (LALLS) detector chromatogram greater than, or equal to, 1,000,000 g/mol molecular weight using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The second region comprises a polyester. The bicomponent fibers can be used for forming nonwovens.

A nonwoven web obtained by electrospinning, suitable for the filtration of nano- and/or submicron aerosols, including a multiplicity of fibers of composition C1, the composition C1 including at least 50% by weight of at least one polymer P1 based on the repeat unit resulting from vinylidene fluoride (VDF), the fibers of composition C1 having a degree of crystallinity in polar phase(s), preferentially in solely beta phase, of at least 65% by weight, with respect to their total weight. Also, a process for the manufacture of the web, to a membrane including the web and also to a process for the washing/sterilization of the web or of the membrane.

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.

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.

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.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrode active material layer exhibiting excellent mechanical strength. This electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes at least an electrode active material, a carbon-based conductive auxiliary agent, and a binder. The carbon-based conductive auxiliary agent has a linear structure, and includes ultra-fine fibrous carbon having an average fibre diameter of more than 200 nm but not more than 900 nm. The electrode material configures an electrode active material layer in which the maximum tensile strength (σ.sub.M) in a planar direction and the tensile strength (σ.sub.T) in an in-plane direction orthogonal to the maximum tensile strength (σ.sub.M) satisfy relational expression (a), namely σ.sub.M/σ.sub.T≤1.6.

A representative fiber incorporates: a low melting polyolefin material forming a matrix; and a polymer or copolymer suspended in the matrix as particles of the polymer or copolymer, the particles of the polymer or copolymer exhibiting increased hardness and stiffness compared to the low melting polyolefin material; wherein the polymer or copolymer is immiscible with the low melting polyolefin.

A representative fiber incorporates: a low melting polyolefin material forming a matrix; and a polymer or copolymer suspended in the matrix as particles of the polymer or copolymer, the particles of the polymer or copolymer exhibiting increased hardness and stiffness compared to the low melting polyolefin material; wherein the polymer or copolymer is immiscible with the low melting polyolefin.

A cleansing wipe may be formed from a nonwoven and includes a first ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and a second ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer. The cleansing wipe may also have a SaMbSc configuration, wherein the M, meltblown layer, is formed from the first ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and the second ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer. The cleansing wipe may be formed a nonwoven comprising bicomponent fibers that incorporate the first ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and the second ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer.