Method of forming highly absorbent filaments and webs having improved softness, wicking, and solvent drying characteristics

Abstract

In the formation of highly absorbent and rapidly wicking filaments and web structures by extrusion and solvent drying of extrudates composed of highly swollen hydrophilic chemically modified cellulose fibers, improved results are obtained in the form of a softer and better wicking product by treatment of the extrudate prior to extrusion. The extrudate is a mass containing the swollen chemically modified cellulose fibers and a water content of up to 98% at the time of extrusion. By adding to the extrudate, prior to extrusion, an amount of from about 2 to 50% of the solvent to be used in drying in the form of pure solvent or in the form of a mixture containing solvent but which may contain water or other non-solvent and the solvent to be used in drying, a much better performing extrudate is produced which results in better filament formation, improved bonding between filaments, lower water content in the extrudate, faster drying of the extruded product, and a softer, better wicking product.

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