Composite nonwoven fibrous webs and methods of making and using the same

摘要

The disclosure relates to composite nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers having a median diameter less than one micrometer (μm), and a population of microfibers having a median diameter of at least 1 μm. At least, one of the fiber populations is oriented, and each composite nonwoven fibrous web has a thickness and exhibits a Solidity of less than 10%. The disclosure also relates to methods of making composite nonwoven fibrous webs, and articles including composite nonwoven fibrous webs made according to the methods. In exemplary applications, the articles may be used as gas filtration articles, liquid filtration articles, sound absorption articles, surface cleaning articles, cellular growth support articles, drug delivery articles, personal hygiene articles, or wound dressing articles.

主权项

1. A composite nonwoven fibrous web comprising:
a population of sub-micrometer fibers having a median diameter less than one micrometer (μm); and a population of meltblown microfibers having a median diameter of at least 1 μm, wherein at least one of the fiber populations is oriented, and further wherein the composite nonwoven fibrous web is formed as a single layer having a thickness and exhibiting a Solidity of less than 10%, wherein the population of sub-micrometer fibers is intermixed with the population of microfibers to form an inhomogeneous mixture of fibers wherein a ratio of the number of sub-micrometer fibers to the number of microfibers varies from a peak value proximate a centerline defined by the half-thickness of the composite nonwoven fibrous web, to a lower value at a major surface of the composite nonwoven fibrous web.