An investigation of bicomponent polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) melt blown microfiber nonwovens

As mono-component melt blown (MB) nonwovens are finding more applications in filtration, absorbency, hygiene, and apparel, bicomponent (bico) MB nonwovens with side-by-side (S/S) cross-sectional fiber geometry are attracting significant attention from both industries and academic institutions. The S/S bico fiber provides the possibility to combine the advantages of the two polymers to produce unique fiber and web properties, such as greater fiber crimp, when the two polymers provide different shrinking behavior under heat. This work studied polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PP/PET) bico MB microfiber nonwovens, including the effects of processing conditions on fiber and web properties, process/structure/property relationships, and spinline dynamics. It was conducted in the 24-inch Reicofil® MB pilot line with bicomponent MB capability.