GlobalCalcium Carbonate for Nonwoven Applications

FiberLink®

MINERAL INNOVATION

Adding FiberLink to your nonwoven materials can improve matte, enhance opacity, increase strength, and provide a cotton-soft feel for comfort, all while reducing your carbon footprint.

In production, FiberLink disperses readily in resins and incorporates easily during extrusion. FiberLink is a natural addition to nonwoven performance in hygiene, medical, personal care, geotextile, and industrial applications.

FIBERLINK® IS AN ENGINEERED MINERAL ESPECIALLY DESIGNED AS AN ADDITIVE FOR FIBERS AND NONWOVENS.

Crush Test method conducted on 25 gsm SMS fabrics. The softer the fabric, the lower the peak load.

Softness Improvement with FiberLink

Greater Dispersion for Opacity Increased Fiber Roughness for a Matte Finish

More Matte & Greater Opacity

0

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6

Peak Load (N)

Polypropylene

Polypropylene/FiberLink

SMS Fabric with 10% FiberLink

in Spunbond Layer

Spunmelt (SMS) containing FiberLink in the spunbond layers is softer than SMS with only polypropylene (PP).

Panel testing of spunlace fabrics revealed that the softness was improved with FiberLink incorporated in the staple fibers. This preference was demonstrated in both 100% PP wipes as well as in wipes containing a PP/viscose fiber blend.

FiberLink reduces surface luster, giving vivid colors and softer fabric with better coverage.

In diaper and hygiene products, adding FiberLink improves opacity, increases strength in core wrap and leg cuffs, and provides a cotton-soft feel for comfort.

BENEFITSCotton-soft feel for comfort in the topsheet,

ears, and backsheet

Higher strength SMS in core

wrap and leg cuff

Lower raw material cost

Higher Strength Spunmelt

FiberLink reduces the carbon footprint of nonwoven materials up to 20% through resin replacement.

Naturally Sustainable

IMPROVED TENSILE & BARRIER PROPERTIES

Tensile Properties Barrier Properties

SMS Fabric Filler Profile (wt%)

MDN.5cm-1

MD Elongation %

CDN.5cm-1

CD Elongation %

Air Permeability I.m-2.s-1

Hydrohead mm

0/0/0 91 68 42 60 425 733

10/0/10 107 90 40 84 422 815

10/10/10 102 93 45 93 483 501

www.imerys-carbonates.com

IMERYS Carbonates UKPar Moor Centre | Par Moor Road | Par | Cornwall | PL24 2SQ | UKTel: +44 (0) 1726 818000 | Fax: +44 (0) 1726 81 1200 CarbonatesCS.EMEA@imerys.com

IMERYS Carbonates USA100 Mansell Ct. East, Suite 300 | Roswell, Georgia | 30076 | USATel: +1 888 277 9636 | Fax: +1 770 645 3384 CarbonatesCS.NA@imerys.com Although the information in this document is believed to be accurate, it is presented without warranty of any kind and Imerys assumes no liability with respect to its use. No license to any intellectual property right is granted or implied. Statements or suggestions concerning possible use are made without representation or warranty that any such use is free of patent infringement, and are not to be construed as suggestions or inducements to infringe any patent.

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ENGINEEREDCARBONATE

FIBERLINK FEATURES & BENEFITSPerformance Attributes

High Brightness (ISO 90 min) Provides good color in fabrics, with limited yellowness.

Higher Density Reduces floating of agricultural applications such as landscape fabrics and oil clean up sorbents.

Modified Fiber Surface Perceived “softness to touch” increase to the fabric.Micro roughness reduces surface luster giving a more matte appearance to the fabric.Increased surface area gives improvements in air filtration and oil absorption.Higher strength in spunlace applications.

Higher Refractive Index than Resins Increased opacity in fibers leads to improved covering power of the web.

Cost Savings / Processing Attributes

Increased Thermal ConductivityAllows for faster throughput or reduced processing temperatures leading to increased productivity or energy savings.

Good Topcut Enables good processing through screen pack, with no fiber breakage and no web defects.

Uniform and Controlled Surface Treatment Allows for good dispersion and ease of processing.

Inherently low moisture and moisture uptake.High Purity and Low Moh Hardness Minimizes abrasion during processing.