BIODEGRADABLE COMPOSITE STAPLE FIBER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND THERMALLY ADHESIVE NON-WOVEN FABRIC USING THE SAME

摘要

A biodegradable composite staple fiber which comprises an aromatic aliphatic polyester component exhibiting biodegradability and having a melting point in the range of 180 to 250°C as a first component and a thermoplastic polyester component exhibiting biodegradability and having a melting point in the range of 80 to 150°C as a second component, wherein at least a part of the above second component is exposed on the surface of the fiber, and wherein physical property values in the following (1) and (2) are satisfied: (1) 3 % or less in terms of the dry thermal shrinking percentage of a single fiber, as measured according to JIS-L-1015 (dry thermal shrinking) under the conditions wherein temperature is 100°C, time is 15 minutes and initial load is 0.018 mN/dtex (2 mg/d), and (2) 8 % or less in terms of the dry thermal shrinking percentage of a single fiber, as measured according to JIS-L-1015 (dry thermal shrinking), under the conditions wherein temperature is 140°C, time is 15 minutes and initial load is 0.018 mN/dtex (2 mg/d); a non-woven fabric, a thermally adhesive non-woven fabric using the composite staple fiber; and a method for producing the composite staple fiber. The composite staple fiber is reduced in thermally shrinking property, has biodegradability, is bulky and exhibits soft feeling.