A nonwoven fibrous web and a method of making thereof. The nonwoven fibrous web includes greater than 0% but no greater than 30 wt % of a plurality of melt-blown fibers comprised of a crystalline (co)polymer; and at least 70 wt % of a plurality of randomly-oriented staple fibers, the plurality of randomly-oriented staple fibers including: at least 60 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and from 0 to 40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having an outer surface comprised of a (co)polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 350° C.; wherein the plurality of melt-blown fibers and the plurality of randomly-oriented staple fibers are bonded together to form a cohesive non-woven fibrous web.

Provided are staple fibers for air laid capable of improving dispersibility, and a method for producing the same. The staple fibers for air laid are characterized by including stable fibers to which a fiber treatment agent containing a hydrophilic oil agent and a silicone-containing oil agent is adhered in an amount of 0.7 to 2 wt % of a weight of the staple fibers, wherein a weight ratio of the hydrophilic oil agent and the silicone-containing oil agent contained in the fiber treatment agent (a weight of the hydrophilic oil agent/a weight of the silicone-containing oil agent) is within a range of 60/40 to 90/10, and a moisture content is 2 to 13%.

Provided are staple fibers for air laid capable of improving dispersibility, and a method for producing the same. The staple fibers for air laid are characterized by including stable fibers to which a fiber treatment agent containing a hydrophilic oil agent and a silicone-containing oil agent is adhered in an amount of 0.7 to 2 wt % of a weight of the staple fibers, wherein a weight ratio of the hydrophilic oil agent and the silicone-containing oil agent contained in the fiber treatment agent (a weight of the hydrophilic oil agent/a weight of the silicone-containing oil agent) is within a range of 60/40 to 90/10, and a moisture content is 2 to 13%.

A thermoplastic core-sheath fiber comprises: a polymer fiber core having a coextensive sheath layer disposed thereon, and an electrostatic charge enhancing additive. The sheath layer may comprise poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and the fiber core and the sheath layer have different compositions. At least one of the fiber core or the sheath layer comprises an electret charge. A nonwoven fibrous web comprising the core-sheath fibers and a respirator including the nonwoven fibrous web are also disclosed.

A thermoplastic core-sheath fiber comprises: a polymer fiber core having a coextensive sheath layer disposed thereon, and an electrostatic charge enhancing additive. The sheath layer may comprise poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and the fiber core and the sheath layer have different compositions. At least one of the fiber core or the sheath layer comprises an electret charge. A nonwoven fibrous web comprising the core-sheath fibers and a respirator including the nonwoven fibrous web are also disclosed.

Extensible nonwoven fabrics having improved elongation, extensibility, abrasion resistance and toughness. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to extensible spunbond fabrics comprising a polymeric blend of a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, polyethylene, and a third polymer component.

Extensible nonwoven fabrics having improved elongation, extensibility, abrasion resistance and toughness. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to extensible spunbond fabrics comprising a polymeric blend of a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, polyethylene, and a third polymer component.

Disclosed herein are nonwoven webs comprising a nonwoven substrate and a binder comprising a polysaccharide. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide can comprise poly alpha-1,3-glucan, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound as disclosed herein, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compound as disclosed herein, a graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising dextran and poly alpha-1,3-glucan side chains, a crosslinked graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising dextran and poly alpha-1,3-glucan chains, or a mixture thereof. Also disclosed are articles comprising the nonwoven webs, and methods of making the nonwoven webs.

Disclosed herein are nonwoven webs comprising a nonwoven substrate and a binder comprising a polysaccharide. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide can comprise poly alpha-1,3-glucan, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound as disclosed herein, a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compound as disclosed herein, a graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising dextran and poly alpha-1,3-glucan side chains, a crosslinked graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising dextran and poly alpha-1,3-glucan chains, or a mixture thereof. Also disclosed are articles comprising the nonwoven webs, and methods of making the nonwoven webs.

A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO.sub.3, an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.