The provided articles and methods use a non-woven fibrous web containing 60-100 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and 0-40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having outer surfaces comprised of a polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. The non-woven fibrous web has an average bulk density of from 15 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, with the plurality of fibers substantially entangled along directions perpendicular to a major surface of the non-woven fibrous web. Optionally, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers can have a crimped configuration. Advantageously, these articles can display a combination of low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and flame resistance.

A method of forming a hydro-patterned nonwoven web including the steps of forming a nonwoven batt comprising continuous spunmelt fibers, calender bonding the nonwoven batt to form a thermobonded precursor nonwoven web with a bond pattern that defines bond impressions and unbonded areas between the individual bond impressions, and hydraulically treating the thermobonded precursor nonwoven by a plurality of steps of water injection as the thermobonded nonwoven web passes over a screen. The bond pattern has specific features that provide advantages in terms of mechanical properties and visual appearance of the final nonwoven product.

The present invention relates to a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric for a mattress, and a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric for mattresses comprising flame-retardant rayon (FR-Rayon) staple fibers of 20 to 50% by weight; modacrylic staple fibers of 30 to 60% by weight; polyimide (PI) staple fibers of 10 to 30% by weight; and low melting polyester (LM PET) staple fibers of 5 to 20% by weight provides enhanced flame retarding and mechanical properties.

The present invention relates to a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric for a mattress, and a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric for mattresses comprising flame-retardant rayon (FR-Rayon) staple fibers of 20 to 50% by weight; modacrylic staple fibers of 30 to 60% by weight; polyimide (PI) staple fibers of 10 to 30% by weight; and low melting polyester (LM PET) staple fibers of 5 to 20% by weight provides enhanced flame retarding and mechanical properties.

A method of forming an apertured hydro-patterned nonwoven web including the steps of forming a nonwoven batt comprising continuous spunmelt fibers, calender bonding the nonwoven batt to form a fully bonded precursor nonwoven web with a regular bond pattern that defines individual bond impressions and unbonded areas between the individual bond impressions, the regular bond pattern having a percentage bond area of 10% to 25%, and hydraulically imparting the fully bonded precursor nonwoven web with a plurality of apertures, the step of hydraulically imparting comprising hydraulically treating the fully bonded precursor nonwoven web by a plurality of steps of water injection as the fully bonded nonwoven web passes over a plurality of pins.

The present invention is directed to a three-dimensional composite fabric including a three-dimensional woven fabric, and a nonwoven fabric arranged on a first, on a second side, or on both sides of the three-dimensional woven fabric, wherein the composite fabric retains at least 15% thickness at a compression of about 200 pounds per square foot (psf) to about 1000 pounds per square foot. Further, the present invention is directed to a method of making a three-dimensional composite fabric and a method of installing the three-dimensional composite fabric in a landfill.

A millable, recyclable, paving fabric interlayer system for the construction and repair of roadways and other load-bearing surfaces and method of using such a fabric is disclosed. The paving fabric includes thermoplastic materials and is combined with asphalt cement to provide a flexible, stress relieving, waterproofing layer for roadways. Because of the thickness and asphalt cement absorption of the fabric, the system provides a stress absorbing interlayer to resist fatigue and reflective cracking in pavements. The system also acts as an effective moisture barrier due to the enhanced capability to retain sufficient asphalt cement when paved onto a roadway. Such a system has the required strength and elongation to be installed on smooth or milled surfaces yet is easily milled and recycled owing to the uniquely engineered tensile and tear strengths of the fabric.

The invention relates to a water-repellent and lipophilic composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric and a preparation method thereof. The method comprises the following steps: blending a PET fiber and a polyolefin-based fiber in a mass ratio of 3:1-1:3, and performing needle punching to obtain a composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric; carrying out hot-drying treatment on the composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric at 110-160° C. for 40-90 min; and carrying out water-repellent finishing on the hot-dried fabric using 50-70 mL/L of an aqueous solution of a modified resin-based fluorine-free waterproofing agent, and drying to obtain the water-repellent and lipophilic composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric, wherein the water-repellent finishing is dip rolling, the air pressure is 1.8 kPa and the liquid carrying rate is 160-230%. The preparation method of the invention is simple, and the prepared composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric has significantly improved water repellency, lipophilicity and tensile strength compared with the fabric before treatment.

The invention relates to a water-repellent and lipophilic composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric and a preparation method thereof. The method comprises the following steps: blending a PET fiber and a polyolefin-based fiber in a mass ratio of 3:1-1:3, and performing needle punching to obtain a composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric; carrying out hot-drying treatment on the composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric at 110-160° C. for 40-90 min; and carrying out water-repellent finishing on the hot-dried fabric using 50-70 mL/L of an aqueous solution of a modified resin-based fluorine-free waterproofing agent, and drying to obtain the water-repellent and lipophilic composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric, wherein the water-repellent finishing is dip rolling, the air pressure is 1.8 kPa and the liquid carrying rate is 160-230%. The preparation method of the invention is simple, and the prepared composite needle-punched nonwoven fabric has significantly improved water repellency, lipophilicity and tensile strength compared with the fabric before treatment.

The present invention provides a chargeable sheath/core-structured fiber that contains a polypropylene-based resin as a main resin, wherein the sheath part contains (a) a carboxylic anhydride-modified polyolefin and (b) at least one antioxidant selected from the group consisting of a combined antioxidant a phenolic antioxidant and a phosphorus-based antioxidant, and sulfur-based antioxidants; and (c) an oil containing a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by the general formula (I) as a finishing oil is deposited on the outer surface of the sheath part, and that can satisfy heat resistance and charge retainability. (In the formula, R.sup.1 represents a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and k is an integer of 1 to 4.)

##STR00001##