The rate of absorption for most meltblown polypropylene sorbents is generally ten to fifteen times their dry weight, depending on the density of the nonwoven and the viscosity of the fluid absorbed. Fiberweb (India) sorbents far exceed that range.
Recently, 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.
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 inches 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.
The material that Fiberweb tested averaged an absorption rate of 22.56 times its dry weight when tested with 5W-30 motor oil. Following is a breakdown:
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.
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