Crimping conjugate fiber and non-woven fabric using the same

Abstract

Composite fibers comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component comprises polybutene-1 and the second component is either a polymer having a melting point higher by at least 20 DEG C than that of the polybutene-1 or a polymer having a melting initiation temperature (extrapolated melting initiation temperature determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as provided for in JIS-K-7121) of 120 DEG C or higher. The composite fibers each has a section in which the first component accounts for at least 20% of the fiber surface and the position of center of gravity of the second component is apart from that of the composite fiber. These composite fibers are in an actualized crimped state in which three-dimensional crimping has been developed, or are potentially crimpy, i.e., they develop three-dimensional crimping upon heating. These crimping composite fibers have high elasticity and bulkiness recovery, and these properties are highly durable. Also provided is a fibrous mass comprising such composite fibers.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention mainly relates to a fiber assembly having high elasticity and bulk recovery, particularly a latent crimpable composite fiber suitable for nonwoven fabrics and a fiber assembly using the composite fiber. Background technique [0002] Low melting peak temperature is used in various applications such as non-woven fabrics used in hygiene materials, packaging materials, wet wipes, filters, wipes, etc., non-woven fabrics used in hard cotton, chairs, etc. Thermally bonded non-woven fabrics of heat-melt-adhesive composite fibers composed of high-melting-point components having a higher melting point than low-melting-point components, at least part of the components exposed to the surface of the fibers, especially for non-woven fabrics as a substitute for foamed polyurethane The demand for fibers with high elasticity and bulk recovery, that is, high bulk recovery in the thickness direction, is increasing. The reason for the increase in de...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, this polyester ether elastomer is a copolymer of hard polyester and soft ether, and contains a soft component with low heat resistance, so it tends to become soft due to heat, and the nonwoven fabric is prone to cracking during thermal processing. Loss of loft is called sagging

As a result, conjugated fibers using polyester ether elastomer as the sheath component have low initial bulkiness when made into nonwoven fabrics, and only high-density nonwoven fabrics can be obtained, which has the problem of limiting applications.

In addition, after being compressed in a heated state, or after repeated compression, the non-woven fabric has the bonding points between the fibers and the fiber itself is damaged or bent, and the fiber strength is reduced. Compared with the original non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric The problem of greatly reduced hardness

[0011] In the above-mentioned Patent Documents 3 to 4, it is expected to obtain a nonwoven fabric excellent in bulk recovery by setting the polymer as the core and the fiber cross-section to a specific polymer and fiber cross-section, and setting the crimped state to a specific state. , but although the initial non-woven fabric thickness (initial bulkiness) is large, the bulk recovery, especially the initial bulk recovery immediately after weight removal, is not sufficient, and has the problem of limited use

[0012] Therefore, conventional technologies cannot obtain fibers for nonwoven fabrics with high initial bulkiness (low density) and excellent bulk recovery properties.

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