Highest Absorbing Polypropylene

Absorption rate is dependent on the density of the nonwoven, available open fiber area, and the viscosity of fluids absorbed. Rate for most meltblown polypropylene sorbents is ten to fifteen times dry weight. Performance of Fiberweb (India) meltblown and meltblown/spunbond sorbents greatly exceed that range.

Fiberweb engineers performed the standardized ASTM F726 test on 6.54 osy (222 gsm) natural white, bonded meltblown polypropylene. Material thickness measured .13” (3.3 mm). The fluid tested was 5W-30 motor oil.

The test procedure is as follows:

1) Weigh a full-size pad on a gram scale, and record the length and width measurements.

2) Cut a 4” x 4” section and another of the same size from the opposite end of the pad.

3) Derive the weight of a 4” x 4” section by dividing the square inches into the full-sized pad's square-inch measurement.

4) Multiply that figure by the weight of the full-sized pad, and then record that weight.

5) Saturate both pieces in the fluid of choice for 15 minutes, retrieve each sample with forceps, let drip for 30 seconds, immediately weigh them again, and record the weights.

6) Take an average of the two saturated weights and divide that figure by the dry weight to determine absorption rate.

7) Multiply that rate by the entire weight of a package of the pads or rolls that were tested, and then divide by the weight of the fluid absorbed (lbs per gallon).

8) This will determine how many gallons the product will absorb.

Fiberweb meltblown pp averaged an absorption rate of 22.56 times its dry weight (with 5W-30 motor oil). Following is a breakdown:

type: bonded meltblown polyrpropylene

part number: P2WM3848-100

dimensions: 15” x 19” (38.1 cm x 48.2 cm)

packaging: 100 pads

dry weight: 8.99 lbs (4.07 kg)

saturated weight: 202.78 lbs (91.97 kg)

fluids absorbed: 28.16 gallons (106.6 liters)

Compare the dry weight to the saturated weight. The aforementioned absorption capacity is off the charts. For overall quality and performance, Fiberweb sorbents are unmatched in the nonwovens industry. Fiberweb meltblown is the highest absorbing polypropylene.

* Never accept published rates of absorption. Rarely are they accurate, and most often times they are wildly inflated. Always perform your own unbiased tests.