BIODEGRADABLE LAYERED COMPOSITE
Biodegradable layered composite comprising a first nonwoven biodegradable layer having a first and second major surface, the first nonwoven biodegradable layer comprising biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers, and a plurality of particles enmeshed in the biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers; and a biodegradable polymer film on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first nonwoven biodegradable layer. Biodegradable layered composite described herein can be used, for example, as biomulch for controlling weed growth and moisture.
1 . A biodegradable layered composite comprising:
a first nonwoven biodegradable layer having a first and second major surface, the first nonwoven biodegradable layer comprising:
biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers, and
a plurality of particles enmeshed in the biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers; and
a biodegradable polymer film on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first nonwoven biodegradable layer.
2 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable polymer film covers at least 25 percent of the first major surface of the first nonwoven biodegradable layer.
3 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable polymer film comprises at least one of polylactide, polybutylene succinate, naturally occurring zein, polycaprolactone, cellulosic ester, or polyhydroxyalkanoate.
4 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein melt-blown fibers comprise at least one of polylactide, polybutylene succinate, naturally occurring zein, polycaprolactone, cellulosic ester, or polyhydroxyalkanoate.
5 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein at least 50 percent by weight, based on the total weight of particles, of the particles comprise at least one of agricultural waste or forestry waste.
6 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein the particles are present in the biodegradable layered composite in a range from 1 to 85 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the biodegradable layered composite.
7 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 further comprising a second nonwoven biodegradable layer comprising spunbond fibers on the second major surface of the first nonwoven biodegradable layer.
8 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 having a basis weight in a range from 60 g/m 2 to 300 g/m 2 .
9 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven biodegradable layer has an average thickness in a range from 10 to 3000 micrometers.
10 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 having a moisture uptake of up to 670% on a weight basis.
11 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 , wherein the film has a plurality of openings.
12 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 11 , wherein the openings are present in a range from 0.5 to 2000 mm 2 .
13 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 having a length and a width, wherein the film is in the form of sections along the length of the biodegradable layered composite with areas between the sections free of the film.
14 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 13 , wherein the sections have spaces therebetween, and wherein each space is in a range of 0.5 to 50 cm.
15 . The biodegradable layered composite of claim 1 provided as a roll.