Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous nonwoven web material and a method of manufacture thereof. The fibrous nonwoven web material includes natural cellulose fibers, manmade cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers. The manmade cellulose fibers are preferably high crystallinity cellulose fibers. The fibrous nonwoven web material has appreciable wet strength yet is capable of dispersing in most aqueous environments with only mild agitation. The fibrous nonwoven web material can be wet laid from an aqueous dispersion of fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous nonwoven web material and a method of manufacture thereof. The fibrous nonwoven web material includes natural cellulose fibers, manmade cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers. The manmade cellulose fibers are preferably high crystallinity cellulose fibers. The fibrous nonwoven web material has appreciable wet strength yet is capable of dispersing in most aqueous environments with only mild agitation. The fibrous nonwoven web material can be wet laid from an aqueous dispersion of fibers.

Abstract: An abrasive nonwoven fibrous web material is produced by initially forming a nonabrasive precursor nonwoven fibrous web material having on a first planar surface thereof a substantially uniform distribution of attenuated meltable thermoplastic fibers, such as polypropylene fibers. The precursor web is heated sufficiently to cause the attenuated thermoplastic fibers therein to shrink and form nodulated fiber remnants that impart a roughened abrasive character to the planar surface of the resultant web material. The concentration of the abrasive fiber remnants decreases across the thickness of the web material from the abrasive planar surface toward the opposite planar surface of the web to provide an abrasive fiber remnant gradient across the web. The nodulated abrasive fiber remnants comprise about 10%-50% by weight of the total fiber content of the web material and exhibit an average particle size of at least about 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A battery separator in the form of a nonwoven fibrous web of water dispersible fibers incorporates up to 65% by weight of fibers having a high cross-sectional aspect ratio. The high aspect ratio fibers include collapsible hollow fibers and ribbon fibers that have a width five to ten times greater than their thickness. These fibers provide reduced thickness at the same basis weight and a synergistic reduction in shrinkage when combined with lower denier solid fibers.