Standard tests weigh a sample after soaking and draining to give absorbent capacity, and time how long a sample takes to sink or soak up liquid. Hydrophilic fibers such as viscose and pulp take liquid into the fibers themselves, while synthetic fabrics hold it only in the spaces between fibers. Wipes, cores, wound dressings and spill pads are all specified on absorbency.
Absorbency dropped from 9 to 7 grams per gram when they cut the viscose, and the wipe feels dry.
Also heard as
- absorbent capacity
- liquid absorption capacity
- absorption
Related terms
Wicking
Capillary movement of liquid along or through a fabric, measured as how far liquid climbs a strip in a set time.
Viscose
Regenerated cellulose fiber, the main absorbent man-made fiber in spunlace wipes and hygiene products.
Fluff pulp
Bleached softwood pulp made to be shredded dry into a soft, bulky fiber mass for absorbent cores and airlaid.
Airlaid
Web formed by suspending short fibers, mostly fluff pulp with some binder fiber, in air and depositing them on a wire.