Abstract: An absorbent article includes an air-laid fibrous web having a medial portion of a greater basis weight than flanking end and side portions. The fibers forming one surface of the web are adhesively bonded together to provide an abrasion resistant, nonpilling, facing layer, and also to aid in maintaining the structural integrity of the web. The fibers forming the other surface of the web are either adhesively bonded together, or a separate backing sheet, preferably in the form of a water-proof plastic sheet, is adhered directly to the other surface of the web to form a stabilized backing layer. The above contructions are adapted for use as disposable diapers.Apparatus of this invention includes a vacuum box having an open end underlying a discrete section of a foraminous forming surface so that regions of the forming surface extend beyond the open end of the vacuum box.