Biologically activated ion-exchange polymer salts are made by exchanging biologically active ionic agents onto ion-exchange polymers. The activated polymers are uniquely surface active and stable to thermal degradation and chemical and other forms of decomposition. The activated ion-exchange polymer salts may be processed and combined with polymer precursors using novel methods and materials to produce stable, biologically activated polymer composites, including antimicrobial and antifouling polymer composites.

Biologically activated ion-exchange polymer salts are made by exchanging biologically active ionic agents onto ion-exchange polymers. The activated polymers are uniquely surface active and stable to thermal degradation and chemical and other forms of decomposition. The activated ion-exchange polymer salts may be processed and combined with polymer precursors using novel methods and materials to produce stable, biologically activated polymer composites, including antimicrobial and antifouling polymer composites.

A nonwoven web that contains a plurality of fibers formed from a polyolefm composition is provided. The polyolefin composition contains a rigid propylene polymer that has a relatively high melting temperature and modulus of elasticity, which can provide good strength and durability to the nonwoven web. The polyolefm composition also contains a ductile propylene polymer that has a relatively high melt flow index, which can help achieve relatively fine fibers that minimize the stiffness of the web. In addition to a rigid and ductile polymer, the polyolefin composition also contains a slip additive (e.g., fatty acid derivative). Among other things, such an additive can even further enhance the overall softness of the composition.

A nonwoven web that contains a plurality of fibers formed from a polyolefm composition is provided. The polyolefin composition contains a rigid propylene polymer that has a relatively high melting temperature and modulus of elasticity, which can provide good strength and durability to the nonwoven web. The polyolefm composition also contains a ductile propylene polymer that has a relatively high melt flow index, which can help achieve relatively fine fibers that minimize the stiffness of the web. In addition to a rigid and ductile polymer, the polyolefin composition also contains a slip additive (e.g., fatty acid derivative). Among other things, such an additive can even further enhance the overall softness of the composition.

A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. The composition further includes a beta-nucleating agent. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. The composition further includes a beta-nucleating agent. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.

A nonwoven composite that has a dimension in a machine direction and a cross-machine direction is provided. The composite comprises a nonwoven facing positioned adjacent to an elastic film. The nonwoven facing contains a spunbond web that is formed by necking a base spunbond web. The base spunbond web includes a plurality of fibers generally oriented in the machine direction and exhibiting a machine direction tensile strength and cross-machine direction tensile strength. The ratio of the machine direction tensile strength to the cross-machine direction tensile strength is about 4:1 or more.

A nonwoven composite that has a dimension in a machine direction and a cross-machine direction is provided. The composite comprises a nonwoven facing positioned adjacent to an elastic film. The nonwoven facing contains a spunbond web that is formed by necking a base spunbond web. The base spunbond web includes a plurality of fibers generally oriented in the machine direction and exhibiting a machine direction tensile strength and cross-machine direction tensile strength. The ratio of the machine direction tensile strength to the cross-machine direction tensile strength is about 4:1 or more.

A hollow fiber that extending along at least a portion of the fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and is defined by an interior wall is provided. Through selective control over the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that the hollow fiber can exhibit a unique combination of a high void fraction and small fiber size that makes it particularly suitable for use in certain applications, such as in nonwoven webs for absorbent articles.

A hollow fiber that extending along at least a portion of the fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and is defined by an interior wall is provided. Through selective control over the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that the hollow fiber can exhibit a unique combination of a high void fraction and small fiber size that makes it particularly suitable for use in certain applications, such as in nonwoven webs for absorbent articles.