A METHOD OF DENSIFYING CROSSLINKED FIBERS

摘要

2107214 9215741 PCTABS00016 A method is disclosed for the densification of crosslinked fibers having a crosslinking agent loading level of from about 2.5 molar to about 5 molar %. The crosslinked fibers are compressed from an initial density of from about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.04 g/cc to a second density of from about .20 g/cc to about 1.00 g/cc by either the simultaneous or sequential application of heat and pressure. The surface temperature of the press is typically between about 60 ·C to about 180 ·C. The compression force for the air laid or wet laid webs is in the range of about 800 psi to about 115,000 psi. Densifying the crosslinked fiber in this manner produces a compressed web having enhanced absorbent capacities of from about 21 g/g to about 15 g/g.