| abstract |
A biodegradable nonwoven material having improved fluid handling properties. Biodegradable nonwoven materials exhibit higher contact angle hysteresis, faster absorption times, and improved skin dryness when compared to prior art nonwoven materials. In addition, these biodegradable nonwoven materials also exhibit high wetting rates, which were unexpected based on higher hysteretic values. The nonwoven material comprises a thermoplastic composition comprising an aliphatic polyester polymer as a continuous phase, a polyolefin microfiber as a discontinuous phase enclosed within an aliphatic polyester polymer continuous phase, and an unreacted mixture of compatibilizers for the aliphatic polyester polymer and the polyolefin microfiber. It can be prepared using. Multicomponent fibers show significant biodegradability and good wettability, but are still easily processed. Biodegradable nonwoven materials can be used in disposable absorbent articles intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.n n n Biodegradable nonwoven materials, fluid properties, wetting rate, continuous phase, discontinuous phase |