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, non-pilling, 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 constructions 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.