Buying questions
What is the difference between absorbency rate and capacity?
Rate is speed; capacity is volume. A wipe that absorbs instantly but holds little is fine for a surface pass and wrong for a spill.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Measure | Method | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Strike through time | EDANA 150.4 | Under 3 s for top sheet |
| Absorption capacity | EDANA 10.3 | 400 to 900 % for viscose blends |
| Wicking rate | Vertical strip | Grade dependent |
| Retention under load | Centrifuge or load | Decides dryness |
Why the two move apart
Capacity comes from void space and fibre hydrophilicity. Rate comes from pore size and surface energy. A web with large pores absorbs fast and drains fast; a dense web holds more and takes longer. That is why high pulp products feel dry and viscose blends feel wet.
Which one the product needs
A surface wipe needs rate and a bit of capacity. A spill pad needs capacity and retention. A diaper acquisition layer needs rate, and the core behind it needs capacity. Specifying both numbers is how you stop the wrong grade being substituted.
Check the claim before it goes on the pack
Send the claim you want to make and the market it sells in. We reply with what the material can support and what it cannot.
Questions
Common questions
What is a good absorbency for a wipe?
400 to 600 percent for a viscose blend is typical, with strike through under three seconds for a top sheet.
Does a finish change capacity?
It changes rate strongly and capacity slightly. The fibre blend decides capacity.
How is retention tested?
By loading the saturated web and measuring what is released, or by centrifuge. State the method.