The present invention provides a crimped multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in a crimpable configuration in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein one component comprises a dielectrically susceptible material. The invention also provides methods for producing the crimped multicomponent fibers and for forming web materials containing the crimped multicomponent fibers, and provides absorbent articles comprising the crimped multicomponent fibers and web materials.