Abstract: Fibrous sorbent media or pads are formed from non-woven mats of thermoplastic fibers, preferably polypropylene fibers, having a mean diameter between about 0.5 microns and about 25 microns. The mats have a weight between about 2 ounces/yd2 and about 25 ounces/yd2; a thickness of at least {fraction (1/20)} of an inch; an oil absorbency ratio of at least 5 to 1 or a water absorbency ratio of at least 5 to 1. The sorbent media have first and second major surfaces with abrasion resistant, liquid permeable, integral skins and fibrous cores. The liquid permeable skins of the media are formed by melting fibers at and immediately adjacent the major surfaces of the mats to form thermoplastic melt layers which are subsequently solidified into the skins on the major surfaces of the mats. For many applications, the thermoplastic fibers of the mats are point bonded together at spaced apart locations to increase the integrity of the mats.

Abstract: Fibrous sorbent media or pads are formed from non-woven mats of thermoplastic fibers, preferably polypropylene fibers, having a mean diameter between about 0.5 microns and about 25 microns. The mats have a weight between about 2 ounces/yd2 and about 25 ounces/yd2; a thickness of at least {fraction (1/20)} of an inch; an oil absorbency ratio of at least 5 to 1 or a water absorbency ratio of at least 5 to 1. The sorbent media have first and second major surfaces with abrasion resistant, liquid permeable, integral skins and fibrous cores. The liquid permeable skins of the media are formed by melting fibers at and immediately adjacent the major surfaces of the mats to form thermoplastic melt layers which are subsequently solidified into the skins on the major surfaces of the mats. For many applications, the thermoplastic fibers of the mats are point bonded together at spaced apart locations to increase the integrity of the mats.