| abstract |
Methods of forming biodegradable aliphatic polyesters suitable for use in fibers are provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate a polyalcolysis reaction, which produces a polyester having at least one hydroxyalkyl or alkyl end group. By selectively adjusting the alcoholic conditions (eg alcohol and polymer concentration, catalyst, temperature, etc.), modified aliphatic polyesters having lower molecular weight than the starting aliphatic polyester can be achieved. These lower molecular weight polymers also combine higher melt flow indices and lower apparent viscosity, which are useful in a wide range of fiber forming applications (eg, meltblown of nonwoven webs).n n n n Biodegradable, Aliphatic Polyester, Nonwoven Web, Alcoholic Degradation |