Unique blends of fibers that incorporate synthetic cellulosic fibers to render fabrics made with such blends more durable than fabrics made with natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton. While more durable than cotton, the synthetic cellulosic fibers used in the blends are still inexpensive and comfortable to the wearer. Thus, the benefits of cotton (affordability and comfort) are still attained while a drawback of cotton—low durability—is avoided. In one embodiment, the fiber blend includes FR modacrylic fibers and synthetic cellulosic fibers, preferably, but not necessarily non-FR lyocell fibers such as TENCEL™ and TENCEL A100™. Other fibers may be added to the blend, including, but not limited to, additional types of inherently FR fibers, anti-static fibers, anti-microbial fibers, stretch fibers, and/or high tenacity fibers. The fiber blends disclosed herein may be used to form various types of FR fabrics. Desired colors may be imparted in a variety of ways and with a variety of dyes to the fabrics disclosed herein. Fabrics having the fibers blends disclosed herein can be used to construct the entirety of, or various portions of, a variety of protective garments for protecting the wearer against electrical arc flash and flames, including, but not limited to, coveralls, jumpsuits, shirts, jackets, vests, and trousers.

The application relates to a fire-resistant textile composite having an upper surface and a lower surface. The composite contains a nonwoven layer and a knit layer. The nonwoven layer has a first and second side and contains a nonwoven textile. The nonwoven textile contains a plurality of first fire-resistant fibers, where the first fire-resistant fibers are non-thermoplastic. The nonwoven layer forms the lower surface of the textile composite. The knit layer contains a knit textile having a first and second side and the second side of the knit layer is adjacent to the first side of the nonwoven layer. The knit textile contains a plurality of second fire-resistant yarns, where the second fire-resistant yarns are non-thermoplastic. At least a portion of the first fire-resistant fibers from the nonwoven layer extend through the first side of the knit layer and form the upper surface of the textile composite.

A nonwoven for use in a thermal liner for protective apparel includes 1-45 wt % of a first inherently heat resistant fiber excluding an aramid, and a balance of a second heat resistant fiber. The nonwoven excludes wool and has a thickness less than 3 mm and a basis weight of less than 2.9 osy (100 gsm). In another embodiment, the insulating layer for protective apparel includes a nonwoven including an inherently flame resistant fiber and fibers being inherently resistant to moisture absorption. The inherently flame resistant fiber is different from said inherently resistant to moisture absorption fiber. The nonwoven has an equivalent or better thermal protective performance (TPP) and a lower basis weight than an industry standard nonwoven consisting of a nonwoven of para-aramids or meta-aramids or a blend of both.

A non-woven electret fibrous web for electrostatic adsorption and odor elimination and the preparation process thereof. In certain exemplary embodiments, the non-woven electret fibrous web includes a multiplicity of electret fibers, at least one of a plurality of photo-catalytic fibers or a plurality of multi-component fibers; and optionally, at least one of a plurality of chemically-active particulates, a plurality of carbon-based fibers, or a plurality of mono-component thermoplastic fibers. In other exemplary embodiments, carding and cross-lapping or air-laying processes are disclosed for making nonwoven fibrous webs including electret fibers and one or more of photocatalytic fibers, chemically-active particulates, multi-component fibers, mono-component thermoplastic fibers, or carbon-based fibers. In some exemplary embodiments, exemplary non-woven electret fibrous webs of the disclosure exhibit superior gas permeation characteristics, high adsorption characteristics for airborne contaminants, as well as an odor elimination function.

Novel absorbable polymer blends are disclosed. The blends are useful for manufacturing medical devices having engineered degradation and breaking strength retention in vivo. The blends consist of a first absorbable polymeric component and a second absorbable polymeric component. The weight average molecular weight of the first polymeric component is higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second polymeric component. At least at least one of said components is at least partially end-capped by a carboxylic acid group. Further aspects are medical devices made therefrom.

To prepare a shaped product comprising a thermal adhesive fiber under moisture and having a fiber aggregate nonwoven structure. In the shaped product, the thermal adhesive fibers under moisture are melted to bond to fibers constituting the fiber aggregate nonwoven structure and the bonded fiber ratio is not more than 85%. The shaped product has an apparent density of 0.05 to 0.7 g/cm.sup.3, a maximum bending stress of not less than 0.05 MPa in at least one direction, and a bending stress of not less than ⅕ of the maximum bending stress at 1.5 times as large as the bending deflection at the maximum bending stress. The moistenable-thermal adhesive fiber may be a sheath-core form conjugated fiber comprising a sheath part comprising an ethylene-vinyl alcohol-series copolymer and a core part comprising a polyester-series resin. Such a shaped product can be used for a building board or the like since the shaped product has a high bending stress although the product is light and has a low density.

The present disclosure provides cover systems for covering components of a cabin interior of a vehicle, such as an automobile, a train car, a bus, a boat, or an aircraft, among others. For instance, the cover systems may cover one or more of a seat and a floor, among others, of the cabin interior. The fabric cover systems may absorb or partially absorb one or more of low-frequency sounds, such as low-frequency noise emitted by an engine, and high-frequency sounds, among others. The fabric cover systems may absorb or partially absorb odor molecules. The fabric covering systems may include multiple layers. For instance, one of the layers may include activated carbon fibers. The activated carbon fibers may absorb or partially absorb one or more of sounds, liquids, and odors, among others.

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid. Advantageously, the carbohydrates have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous insulation products is also provided.

Fibrous elements, such as filaments and/or fibers, and more particularly to fibrous elements that contain a non-hydroxyl polymer, fibrous structures made therefrom, and methods for making same are provided.

An aqueous binder composition is provided that includes a carbohydrate and a crosslinking agent. In exemplary embodiments, the carbohydrate-based binder composition may also include a catalyst, a coupling agent, a process aid, a crosslinking density enhancer, an extender, a moisture resistant agent, a dedusting oil, a colorant, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and combinations thereof. The carbohydrate may be natural in origin and derived from renewable resources. Additionally, the carbohydrate polymer may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) number from 2 to 20. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the carbohydrate is a water-soluble polysaccharide such as dextrin or maltodextrin and the crosslinking agent is citric acid. Advantageously, the carbohydrates have a low viscosity and cure at moderate temperatures. The environmentally friendly, formaldehyde-free binder may be used in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats. A method of making fibrous insulation products is also provided.