the range of about 50 to about 75 by weight lyocell fiber in the range of about 20 to about 45 by weight and binder fiber in the range of about 3 to about 20 by weight a preferred range of binder fiber is in the range of 5 to 10 by weight the matrix fibers that can be used include those of both synthetic and natural composition of an infinite fiber length a finite staple length or a natural fiber length synthetic fibers include those selected from thermoset polymers thermoplastic polymers and the combinations thereof representative thermoplastic fibers include polyamides polyesters and polyolefins natural fibers include those that are of cellulosic composition such as wood pulp cotton and rayons the matrix fibers can optionally incorporate one or more fibers of different composition including other staple fiber blends or fibers of the same of different composition with variations in the denier and staple length lyocell fibers that can be used primarily include finite staple lengths and continuous filaments preferred lyocell fibers as practiced in the present invention include those of finite staple length the binder fibers that can be used primarily include fibers of homogeneous heterogeneous or segmented construction manufactured from one or more thermoplastic polymers representative thermoplastic fibers include polyamides polyesters and polyolefins preferred binders fibers include polyester staple fibers of homogeneous bi component or multi component construction the fiber blend can optionally be applied to or otherwise incorporate one or more layers of the same or different composition including other staple fiber blends further the fibers and fiber layers may.