This monograph provides a focus on the theoretical aspects of absorbency, then applies those concepts to the structure, properties, and performance of absorbent materials. It provides the fundamental scientific and engineering information needed to develop and bring to market new and innovative absorbent materials and structures. Absorbent Technology discusses all the aspects of absorbency that are essential to understanding the attributes of this class of materials and to the design of new products with unique characteristics. This is a thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded edition of Absorbency, originally published in 1985.

From the Introduction: “...In this book, the term `absorbency' is described as an interdisciplinary scientific phenomenon that deals with the absorption of aqueous fluids by porous media, or more specifically, by fibrous and polymeric systems...Absorbency criteria are characterized by the mode and the extent of the transport of liquid into an absorbing material. Numerous attempts have been made to define and predict absorbency using many classical theories, dating back to the nineteenth century, as well as those developed more recently, i.e. within the last few decades. Unfortunately, none of those theories can be utilized to effectively elucidate the intricate mechanism that governs fluid absorption in products that are available...”

Target Audience: Academic and industrial scientists and technologists engaged in research and development of absorbency and absorbent products.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Porous Structure and Liquid Flow Models

Surface Tension and Surface Energy

Fluid Absorption in High Bulk Nonwovens

Introduction to Computational Modeling and Its Applications in Absorbent Technology

The Role of Surfactants

Fibers and Fibrous Materials

Cross-Linked Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives

Synthetic Superabsorbents

Polymer Grafted Cellulose and Starch

Nonwovens in Absorbent Materials

Measurement Techniques for Absorbent Materials and Products

Products and Technology Perspective

Index