Multilayer articles having an absorbent nonwoven layer and a barrier layer are described, including those having a surfactant-treated, aliphatic polyester, nonwoven absorbent layer and a barrier layer. Multilayer articles including a tie layer used to enhance the bond between the hydrophilic absorbent layer and the barrier layer are also described. Methods of making and using such articles are also described.

Multilayer articles having an absorbent nonwoven layer and a barrier layer are described, including those having a surfactant-treated, aliphatic polyester, nonwoven absorbent layer and a barrier layer. Multilayer articles including a tie layer used to enhance the bond between the hydrophilic absorbent layer and the barrier layer are also described. Methods of making and using such articles are also described.

A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method includes traversing a bundle of the fibers through a multi-stage drawing system that includes at least a first fluidic drawing stage and a second fluidic drawing stage. The first drawing stage employs a first fluidic medium having a first temperature and the second drawing stage employs a second fluidic medium having a second temperature. The first and second temperatures are both lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer, and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method includes traversing a bundle of the fibers through a multi-stage drawing system that includes at least a first fluidic drawing stage and a second fluidic drawing stage. The first drawing stage employs a first fluidic medium having a first temperature and the second drawing stage employs a second fluidic medium having a second temperature. The first and second temperatures are both lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer, and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

A polymer fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, wherein the filler content, based on the polymer fiber, is more than about 10% by weight and the mean particle size (D.sub.50) of the filler is less than or equal to about 6 m. A textile fabric, especially nonwoven, produced from the polymer fiber.

A polymer fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, wherein the filler content, based on the polymer fiber, is more than about 10% by weight and the mean particle size (D.sub.50) of the filler is less than or equal to about 6 m. A textile fabric, especially nonwoven, produced from the polymer fiber.

A cushioning material includes fibers that define a fiber network and a foam material suspended within the fiber network.

A cushioning material includes fibers that define a fiber network and a foam material suspended within the fiber network.

A sound absorbing material includes a fiber group of inorganic fibers, a fiber group of organic fibers, or a fiber group of a fiber blend including the inorganic and organic fibers. In the fiber group, at least junctions between the fibers are coated with a polymeric coating film having a loss factor of 0.1 or more.

A sound absorbing material includes a fiber group of inorganic fibers, a fiber group of organic fibers, or a fiber group of a fiber blend including the inorganic and organic fibers. In the fiber group, at least junctions between the fibers are coated with a polymeric coating film having a loss factor of 0.1 or more.