MULTICOMPONENT FIBERS

A process for texturing a multicomponent fiber is provided. The process comprises: (A) providing a multicomponent fiber having a shaped cross section and at least one water dispersible polymer; and a plurality of domains comprising one or more water non-dispersible polymers, wherein said domains are substantially isolated from each other by said water dispersible polymer intervening between said domains; and wherein the water dispersible polymer is present at the perimeter of the outside cross-section of the multicomponent fiber in a proportion of no greater than 55% water dispersible polymer; and (B) passing the multicomponent fiber through a first zone comprising a first heating device and a twisting unit, wherein the first heating device has a heating temperature that is at least 10% less than the temperature used for a fiber without the water dispersible component having the same water non-dispersible polymer, same number of total filaments in the fiber, and the same total denier for a given type of equipment and process conditions.