AN ABSORBENT MEMBER EXHIBITING EXCEPTIONAL EXPANSION PROPERTIES WHEN WETTED

摘要

An absorbent member is disclosed which has a high absorbent capacity and whi ch exhibits exceptional expansion properties when wetted by an aqueous fluid. T he absorbent member includes a multitude of randomly oriented cellulosic fibers having an average length of from between about 1 mm to about 5 mm and containing at least about 20% lignin within each fiber. The absorbent member also has a moisture conte nt of from between about 1% to about 20% water by weight of fiber and has a density in the range of from between about 0.1 g/cc to about 1g/cc. The fibers are stressed and bond ed by hydrogen bonds and are retained in an elastically stressed condition.