| abstract |
The present invention relates to a multicomponent fiber derived from a blend of sulfopolyester and a water non-dispersible polymer, wherein the spun denier is less than about 6, and the water dispersible sulfopolyester has a strain of 1 radian / second at 240 ° C. A melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise, measured at the rate, wherein the sulfopolyester comprises less than about 25 mole percent of one or more sulfomonomer residues based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber can be drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, specifically about 2000 m / min or more, which can be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fiber products can be prepared from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed are methods of making the multicomponent fibers, nonwovens and microdenier webs.n n n Water dispersible sulfopolyester, multicomponent fibers, microdenier fibers. |