High barrier nonwoven

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high barrier polymer nonwoven, characterized in that the surface tension of the polymer material is decreased by the use of esters of carboxylic acids as a melt-additive. As a result of the decrease in surface energy the presented nonwoven fabrics show excellent properties with regard to low per-meability towards low surface tension liquids, such as for example running bowel movement or alcohol, in hygiene applications. The properties are achieved without the use of fluorine-based chemicals or silicone coating, both of which represent the state of the art to impart the properties presented to polymer nonwoven fabrics.

1 . A nonwoven web or nonwoven layer made of fibers, obtainable from a mixture of one or more thermoplastic polymers and an additive component, characterized by the additive component comprising one or more lipid esters. 
     
     
         2 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of  claim 1 , whereby the additive component is a melt additive. 
     
     
         3 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the additive component comprises a triglyceride. 
     
     
         4 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the additive component comprises glycerol tristearate. 
     
     
         5 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the thermoplastic polymer(s) comprise isotactic thermoplastic polymers. 
     
     
         6 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the thermoplastic polymer(s) comprise polypropylene. 
     
     
         7 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the thermoplastic polymer(s) comprise polypropylene synthesized with a metallocene catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the nonwoven is a thermally bonded, layered fabric of two or more spunbound (S) and/or meltblown (M) polymer layers. 
     
     
         9 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the spunbound (S) and meltblown (M) polymer layers are arranged in the order SMMS, SSMMS or SMMMS. 
     
     
         10 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the Low Surface Tension Strike Through (32 mJ/m 2 ) of the nonwoven is increased by more than 25%. 
     
     
         11 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the Low Surface Tension Strike Through (32 mJ/m 2 ) of the nonwoven is increased by more than 50%. 
     
     
         12 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the Low Surface Tension Strike Through (32 mJ/m 2 ) of the nonwoven is increased by more than 100%. 
     
     
         13 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, whereby the Low Surface Tension Strike Through (32 mJ/m 2 ) of the nonwoven is increased by more than 200%. 
     
     
         14 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a skin care composition and/or an ink composition. 
     
     
         15 . Nonwoven web or nonwoven layer as of any of the preceding claims, comprising spunbond layer(s) and/or meltblown layer(s), wherein at least one layer is made of fibers obtainable from a mixture of 90% to 99.5% by weight of said thermoplastic polyolefin polymer and from 0.5% to 10% by weight of said additive component.