Bondable oriented nonwoven web and method of making same

Nonwoven webs include fibers having a uniform diameter and undergoing morphological changes along the length. This variation provides a longitudinal section that exhibits distinct softening characteristics during the bonding operation. Under the bonding operating conditions, the partial segments soften and adhere to the other fibers of the web, while the other longitudinal segments are inert during the bonding operation. The web 1) can be formed by extruding a filament of a fiber-forming material by a method comprising the steps of: (2) guiding the filament through the processing chamber, wherein the filament is subjected to longitudinal stress; and (3) leaving the processing chamber in the filament They are then subjected to turbulent conditions; (4) the processed filaments are collected and the temperature of the filaments is controlled so that at least a portion of the filaments solidify during the turbulent zone.