FIBERS AND FABRICS INCORPORATING LOWER MELTING PROPYLENE POLYMERS
Propylene homopolymers and copolymers formed by metallocene catalyst system exhibit generally lower melting behaviour than previous propylene polymers. This lower melting behaviour will be of use in the fabrication and use of fibers and fabrics that depend upon either lower melting behaviour in general or upon a melting point differential between two fabrics or fibers to achieve bonding. Such fibers are, for instance, chenille or tufted cord, core and sheath. Fabrics such as spunbonded and meltblown, when combined in SM or SMS fabrics will show bonding at lower temperatures with fewer pinholes. Such fabrics may also be bonded by adhesives such as hot melt, water based and extruded polyolefins. Combinations of Ziegler-Natta catalyzed and metallocene catalyzed polymers are contemplated.