Patent ID: 7892992

Claim:
Polyvinyl alcohol fibers having an extremely flattened cross-sectional profile and having a mean thickness D (μm) that satisfies the following formula (1): 0.4≦D≦5 (1), wherein D=S/L; D indicates the mean thickness (μm) of the fibers which is a mean length (μm) of the minor side of the cross section of the fibers; S indicates the cross-section area (μm 2 ) of the fibers; and L indicates the length (μm) of the major side of the cross section of the fibers; wherein said polyvinyl alcohol fibers consist of polyvinyl alcohol and from 0.01 to 30% by mass of a layered compound having a mean particle size of from 0.01 to 30 μm and wherein said layered compound is smectite, montmorillonite or mica.