A hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven has a first substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof. The second surface includes a plurality of protuberances in a pattern. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has an average loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than an original average loft of an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web from which the hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web was created and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web includes bicomponent fibers combining a polymer with PLA in a ratio of polymer/PLA within a range of about 20/80 to 80/20.

A hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven has a first substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof. The second surface includes a plurality of protuberances in a pattern. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has an average loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than an original average loft of an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web from which the hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web was created and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web includes bicomponent fibers combining a polymer with PLA in a ratio of polymer/PLA within a range of about 20/80 to 80/20.

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.

Hydroentangled composites having a wide variety of uses (e.g., personal hygiene articles, facers for fenestration absorbent patches on surgical drapes, facers on absorbent surgical drapes, etc.) are provided. The hydroentangled composite includes at least two nonwoven webs hydroentangled together. The hydroentangled composite may have a three-dimensional structure. Additionally, the at least two nonwoven webs may have different bonding levels and/or lint levels.

Hydroentangled composites having a wide variety of uses (e.g., personal hygiene articles, facers for fenestration absorbent patches on surgical drapes, facers on absorbent surgical drapes, etc.) are provided. The hydroentangled composite includes at least two nonwoven webs hydroentangled together. The hydroentangled composite may have a three-dimensional structure. Additionally, the at least two nonwoven webs may have different bonding levels and/or lint levels.

A sound-absorbing material nonwoven fabric includes: 30 to 80 mass % of short fibers A having a fineness of 0.4 to 0.9 dtex; and 20 to 70 mass % of short fibers B having a fineness of 1.1 to 20.0 dtex. A carding passage coefficient of the short fibers A calculated from equation (1) is in a range of 15 to 260. The equation (1) is carding passage coefficient=(fineness×strength×√elongation percentage×√number of crimps×√crimping degree)/(fiber length).

A sound-absorbing material nonwoven fabric includes: 30 to 80 mass % of short fibers A having a fineness of 0.4 to 0.9 dtex; and 20 to 70 mass % of short fibers B having a fineness of 1.1 to 20.0 dtex. A carding passage coefficient of the short fibers A calculated from equation (1) is in a range of 15 to 260. The equation (1) is carding passage coefficient=(fineness×strength×√elongation percentage×√number of crimps×√crimping degree)/(fiber length).

An article. The article includes a nonwoven having a pH value from 2 to 6; wherein the article is a wound dressing.

A method of forming a fiber-bound engineered material utilizing carrier screens is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. Also provided are articles formed of fiber-bound engineered materials manufactured utilizing carrier screens. A fiber layer is placed adjacent at least one carrier screen and entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber-bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections.

A method of forming a fiber-bound engineered material utilizing carrier screens is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. Also provided are articles formed of fiber-bound engineered materials manufactured utilizing carrier screens. A fiber layer is placed adjacent at least one carrier screen and entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber-bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections.