Abstract: The wet strength softness absorbency, absorbency rate and other valuable properties in paper products, tissues, wipes, towels, etc. can be improved by using, in the paper forming process, a cellulosic material comprising a carboxymethyl cellulose material associated with a monomeric or polymeric cationic additive material. A process of the invention comprises a fiber surface carboxymethylation and an aqueous medium followed by blending the modified fibers with a cationic additive under varying conditions and wet forming the tissue and towel products. The additive is typically a cationic additive that preferentially associates with a carboxymethyl group on the cellulose surface. The affinity between the positively charged cationic groups in the polymeric or monomeric additive material to the negatively charged carboxyl group in the carboxymethyl cellulose modified fiber improves various attributes of the paper products.

Abstract: Composite fibers useful for preparing diaphragms are prepared by (a) mixing a PTFE or PTFE copolymer dispersion or powder with a finely divided inorganic material and a fiber forming material, (b) shear heating the resulting mixture to a temperature at which sheared to PTFE or PTFE copolymer becomes flowable without showing signs of decomposition while removing the dispersion medium, if a PTFE or PTFE copolymer dispersion is used, (c) cooling the mixture to below 70° C., (d) mix shearing the mixture at below 70° C. to form composite fibers.

Abstract: A medical packaging substrate formed from a cellulosic pulp and/or synthetic fibers and a binder material is provided by the present invention. The substrate is usable to form medical packages for surgical instruments, medical devices, and medical appliances. The fabric is gas-pervious so that gas sterilization techniques may be used to sterilize the contents of any package made from the material. The substrate is manufactured using a latex deposition process wherein the binder material is applied prior to or during formation of the web.

Abstract: Cellulosic webs, such as tissue webs, can be dewatered to consistencies of about 70 percent or greater in a high intensity extended nip press while retaining a substantial amount of bulk. While webs intended for use as tissues containing conventional furnishes become overly densified when passed through a high intensity extended nip press, furnishes containing certain types of fibers, such as chemically cross-linked or heat-treated fibers, resist compression and allow the compressed web to retain a high level of bulk after a high degree of dewatering.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a wet-layed, nonwoven sheet which is comprised of metal fiber and metal powder. Generally, the amount of metal fiber comprises from 20 to 95% by weight and the amount of metal comprises from 5 to 80% by weight of the sheet. Such a wet-layed nonwoven sheet is economically preferable to a sheet comprised totally of metal fiber, since the metal powder is much less expensive. Among other factors, the present invention is based upon the recognition that by using various process techniques, the combination of metal fiber and metal powder can be wet-layed to obtain a structure of sufficient strength for subsequent handling and sintering.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric suitable to be used as a kitchen paper including thermoplastic synthetic fibers being 7˜30 mm long and as fine as of 0.1˜0.8 d, in 90˜10% by weight and pulp fibers being 2˜7 mm long, in 10˜90% by weight, these component fibers being mixed together as homogeneously as possible and mechanically entangled so as to have a basis weight of 10˜80 g/m2 as a whole.

Abstract: A polyolefin synthetic pulp comprising a polyolefin resin graft-modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, and/or a polyolefin resin composition which comprises an ethylene/&agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer and a polyethylene resin. Further, there is provided a heat sealing paper comprising a base fiber layer whose at least one surface is laminated and integrated with a layer of the polyolefin synthetic pulp. This polyolefin synthetic pulp has a large breaking length and an excellent internal bond strength, and exhibits stable heat sealing and hot tack properties over a wide temperature range from low to high temperature. The polyolefin synthetic pulp is suitable to use in battery separators, molding fiberboards, heat sealing papers and the like.

Abstract: A wet friction material is mainly composed of a fiber base material, a filler, an friction adjusting agent and a thermosetting resin. The wet frictional material is prepared by impregnating with a liquid thermosetting resin a paper formed by mixing a paper-forming solid thermosetting resin with a fiber base material as at least a part of filler, and then applying heat to the paper so that it is hardened. The solid thermosetting resin is preferably a phenol resin. The liquid thermosetting resin is preferably made of a silicone resin represented by the following average composition formula and the amount of trifunctional unit monomers (RSiO3/2 in which R represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group) in monomers constituting said silicone resin is from 40 to 100 mol-%: (R1)a(OR2)bSiO(4−a−b)/2.

Abstract: Paper products having high initial wet strengths are disclosed. The paper products comprise cellulosic fibers having free aldehyde groups, which fibers are combined with a water-soluble polymer having functional groups that are reacted with the aldehyde groups to form bonds joining the fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the cellulosic fibers contain a polysaccharide in which the hydroxyl groups of at least a portion of the repeating units of the polysaccharide are cis-hydroxyl groups, preferred repeating units being mannose and/or galactose. Similarly, the water-soluble polymer is preferably a polysaccharide in which the hydroxyl groups of at least a portion of the repeating units of the polysaccharide are cis-hydroxyl groups. Preferred polysaccharides are derived from one or more sugars selected from mannose, galactose, allose, altrose, gulose, talose and lyxose.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is a process for making wet-layed metal fiber nonwoven sheet. The process comprises dispersing a mixture of metal fibers, wood pulp and a fibrillated material into an aqueous dispensing fluid. The amount of metal fibers dispersed generally ranges from 60 to 80 weight percent, based on the weight of solids, with the amount of wood pulp ranging from 15 to 30 weight percent and the amount of fibrillated material ranging from about 5 to 10 weight percent. The dispersed mixture in the aqueous dispensing fluid is then applied to a screen, with the aqueous dispensing fluid being removed to thereby form a metal fiber sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, paper, thermoplastic sheets, and medical paper containing cellulose ester, alkylpolyglycoside (APG) or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol, and, optionally, cellulose. The process of incorporating APG or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol in paper composed of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers and to calendaring of such paper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyimide precursor fibrid material which comprises a polyimide precursor that forms a polyimide having a property of no thermal melting when subjected to a ring closure reaction and which is substantially free from aprotic polar organic solvents, and polyimide paper, polyimide composite paper and polyimide composite board obtained therefrom. Since the inventive polyimide precursor fibrid material does not contain aprotic polar organic solvents, a polyimide paper product having excellent strength can be obtained from the polyimide precursor fibrid material, and a polyimide composite paper product and a polyimide composite board both consisting of uniformly dispersed components and having excellent strength can be obtained from the polyimide precursor fibrids and other staple fibers.

Abstract: A smooth-textured non-woven, superabsorbent particle-impregnated fibrous structure is disclosed. The web exhibits an improved smooth surface texture. The structure contains from 50% to 80% of ion sensitive SAP having a particle size of less than 200 microns, wood pulp fibers and cellulose acetate fibers, each in preferred specified amounts indicated herein. The superabsorbent, ion sensitive polymer particle-impregnated fibrous structure is made from an aqueous, wet-lay process in which an aqueous furnish comprises solids of fibers and superabsorbent, ion sensitive polymer and dissolved salt, such as preferably, Na2SO4. The furnish is passed over a moving foraminous support, such as a Fourdrinier wire, and a wet web structure is formed, followed by drying.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid absorbing body and a method of manufacturing the liquid absorbing body which has an excellent swelling property and absorbed liquid holding ability in a vertical state and which is suitable to a mass production at a low manufacturing cost. This liquid absorbing body includes natural cellulose fibers and/or synthetic fibers, a thermally fusible material and a thickening material. This liquid absorbing body is formed by defibering natural cellulose fibers and/or synthetic fibers, a thermally fusible material and a thickening material in air and mixing them to form a mat, heating thus formed mat at a temperature higher than a fusible point of the thermally fusible material and then fixing the thickening material in a web by compressing the mat with a press roller.

Abstract: A method for making a nonwoven reinforcing may for vinyl floor coverings is described. A base mat is formed from a mixture of glass fibers and polymeric binder fibers and/or powder, follows by treatment with a second water-based polymeric binder composition. The mat has been found to be highly satisfactory as a substrate for compressible vinyl floor covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a laminate base material useful for preparing a prepreg or a laminate for electronic equipment such as printed board. The method comprises the steps of: (1) preparing a slurry comprising para-aramid fibers and curable phenolic resin fibers; (2) preparing a sheet from said slurry; (3) adding a resin binder to said sheet so as to bond the fibers with each other, thereby to form a combined non-woven fabric and (4) compressing said non-woven fabric under heating. According to the present invention, a prepreg or laminate is obtained which has an improved high-frequency characteristics and much less warp.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layered water-decomposable fibrous sheet with a plurality of layers each having a different fibrous constitution being integrated, including a top layer on a top surface and a back layer on a back surface. The top layer includes fibrillated rayon of at least 3% by mass of all fibers constituting the top layer. The fibrillated rayon has a degree of beating of at most 700 cc, and has primary fibers of a predetermined fiber length and microfibers extending from the primary fibers. The microfibers are entangled with and/or hydrogen-bonded to at least either of other microfibers and other fibers. The back layer includes fibers containing no fibrillated rayon, the fibers entangled with and/or hydrogen-bonded to each other, or the back layer includes the fibrillated rayon in an amount smaller than that in the top layer. The microfibers of the fibrillated rayon are entangled with and/or hydrogen-bonded to at least either of other microfibers and other fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, paper, thermoplastic sheets, and medical paper containing cellulose ester alkylpolyglycoside (APG) or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol, and, optionally, cellulose. The process of incorporating APG or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol in paper composed of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers and to calendaring of such paper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A water-disintegratable cleaning sheet consisting of a fibrous sheet having incorporated thereinto, a binder of alkylcellulose; an electrolyte, and (a) a copolymer of a polymerizable acid anhydride and other compounds and/or (b) an amino acid. The water-disintegratable cleaning sheet has excellent water disintegratability and wet strength and further it is not degraded in the water disintegratability and wet strength after storage at high temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging element comprising a base comprising a cellulose fiber containing paper, wherein said paper has a tear resistance of between 200 and 1800 Newton.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, paper, thermoplastic sheets, and medical paper containing cellulose ester, alkylpolyglycoside (APG) or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol, and, optionally, cellulose. The process of incorporating APG or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol in paper composed of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers and to calendaring of such paper is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of increasing the wet strength of a creped sheet, which method involves providing a sheet which includes cellulosic fibers, which sheet has a first side and a second side; applying a low temperature-curing latex adhesive binder composition to the first side of the sheet in a fine, spaced-apart pattern occupying from about 20 to about 50 percent of the surface area of the sheet; adhering the first side of the sheet to a creping surface; and creping the sheet from the creping surface. The binder composition is adapted to adhere the sheet to the creping surface and includes a functional group-containing latex, a functional group-reactive crosslinking agent, and a volatile base. In addition, the creping surface is heated at a temperature no greater than about 100° C.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web suitable for use, after post-treatment with a wetting agent, as a battery separator is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. One nonwoven composite material is made from a furnish of polyolefin binder fibers and polyolefin staple fibers. The web coming off the papermaking machine is dried using infra-red dryers followed by heated dryer cans. After drying, the web is thermally bonded using heated calendar rolls. The polyolefin binder fibers melt as the web passes through the calendar rolls and thermally bond the polyolefin staple fibers of the web when the melted binder fiber material fuses upon cooling.

Abstract: A high-opacity cellulose-free synthetic paper is formed from a wet-laid nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers, all or most of which fibers are made of a predetermined polymeric material. The wet-laid web is dried to remove excess water, drying being carried cut at temperatures below the melting temperature of the predetermined polymeric material. The dried nonwoven web is saturated on at least one side with a pigmented binder forming a continuous coating thereon. The binder is cured at temperatures below the melting temperature of the predetermined polymeric material.

Abstract: A filter media structure, which is capable of operating in the micro- and nanofiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, high permeability, high flow rate, low pressure drop across the filter media, high mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. The filter media structure is comprised of mixture of carbon or ceramic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers generally having a diameter of from about 0.03 to about 5 microns. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a filter media structure comprising mixing together a) inorganic fibers; b) inorganic fiber whiskers; c) a water soluble binder, and optionally depositing a thin layer of pyrolytic carbon on the surface of the inorganic fibers and inorganic fiber whiskers comprising the filter media structure. The filter media structure is selected from the group consisting of a paper, felt and fabric.

Abstract: A water-disintegratable fibrous sheet comprising a web of fibers comprising pulp of hardwood and pulp of conifer, pulp of conifer having a fiber length longer than that of the pulp of hardwood, and a water-insoluble or water-swellable binder being contained in the web to bind the fibers, is disclosed. The fibrous sheet is excellent in water-disintegratability and has sufficient strength for withstanding practical use. Furthermore, since excellent water-disintegratability and strength can be obtained without using a water-soluble binder, a production process of the fibrous sheet can be made simple.

Abstract: A low density body such as a sheet, board or molding usable as a cushioning material, heat-insulating material, sound-absorbing material, filter, low density base paper or the like is provided. The low density body having a density of 0.05 to 0.45 g/cm.sup.3 is prepared by dewatering a slurry containing fine fibers having a bond-reinforcing factor of at least 0.15 and curled fibers having a wet curl factor of 0.4 to 1.0, and drying the resultant product.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry for manufacturing water soluble or dispersible paper for use in medical device packaging. The slurry has a solid component consisting of methylcellulose and paper pulp. The slurry also has a liquid component consisting of water and an alkylalcohol. The methylcellulose remains in a substantially undissolved state in the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly absorbent paper made using a combination of aramid fibers and glass fibers with fibrids or resin as a binder material.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to facial tissues having great softness and strength. The facial tissues are made from a multi-layered paper web containing a middle layer of eucalyptus fibers either alone or in combination with polyester fibers. The paper web is made with a debonding agent for producing a web having reduced levels of fiber bonding. Once formed, the paper web is treated on each side with a bonding agent in a preselected pattern. Both sides of the paper web are also creped. In order to create a smooth low friction surface, the paper web is fed through a calendering machine and treated with a friction reducing composition and subsequently dried.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a filter medium includes preparing a pH 3-5 aqueous suspension of cellulose fibers in a pulper or beater with a concentration of between 3% and 5%. A pH 2.8-3.8 aqueous suspension of glass fibers is prepared in a pulper or beater with a fiber concentration of between 0.5% and 1.2%. A first pulp consisting exclusively of cellulose fibers is prepared, to which a moisture-resistant resin is added. A second pulp is prepared consisting of cellulose fibers and glass fibers in proportions of between 30% and 70%, to which a moisture-resistant resin is added. Two superposed layers of the pulps are formed by methods used in paper manufacture. The two layers are collected on a layer of material able to absorb water. The two superposed layers of pulp are pressed to a pressure of between 0.1 and 1 kg/cm.sup.2. The resultant sheet is dried to a moisture content of 1%. The dried material is impregnated with a 50 wt % solution of acrylic latex, and dried again.

Abstract: A mat containing highly machine direction oriented (90% or greater), discontinuous reinforcement fibers, is produced on inclined wire or rotary paper making machinery. Fibers are first uniformly dispersed in an aqueous medium containing thickeners and wetting agents. In one embodiment, antifoaming agents are also added to prevent floating fibers which entangle and reduce orientation. Thermoplastic fibers or particles may also be included. Stock is brought into an open headbox in a flow pattern which allows the fibers to decelerate before approaching the porous suction belt (wire). As the fibers approach the suction belt, the fibers begin to turn and align in the streamline so as to present one end toward the suction wire. The leading ends of the fibers are gripped by the moving belt which drags the fibers out of the dispersion stock in a straight line. The porous mat produced may be dried and bonded through hot air, heat and/or pressure, or chemical binders.

Abstract: The invention relates to security paper and in particular to a method for the manufacture of security paper that is provided with high-quality watermarks. In particular such a method comprises forming a papermaking suspension comprising cellulosic fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers, which polyvinyl alcohol fibers are soluble in water at temperatures of from 95 to 100 degrees C, dewatering the papermaking suspension through an emboseed wire mesh or other embossed means, wherein the embossing creates a profile of peaks and troughs corresponding to the light and dark areas of the watermark, and the formed paper after dewatering with the watermark feature is thereafter dried to provide the resulting security paper.

Abstract: A process to form a nonwoven, wet-laid, superabsorbent, polymer particle-impregnated fibrous structure on a commercial scale wet-forming machine having a head box, a forming section and a drying section, includingadding SAP to water under and within 5 seconds of the SAP water contact,providing agitation of at least 4000 Reynolds units thereby dispersing ungelled SAP particles throughout the fiber furnish,delivering the furnish to a moving foraminous support, forming a wet laid web containing wetted SAP particles, draining of water from the moving wet web, and conveying the web to the dryer section,wherein the maximum elapsed time from the point where SAP is mixed with water to the time the web passes into the dryer section is less than 45 seconds.

Abstract: Nonwoven material produced by hydro-entanglement of a wet- or foam-formed fibre web, which material contains at least 5%, by weight of the total fibre weight, of pulp fibres of chemical-thermomechanical type. These fibres have been mixed with other fibres, such as chemical pulp fibres, vegetable fibres, synthetic fibres or regenerated cellulosic fibres in a wet- or foam-formed fibre web which has been entangled with sufficient energy to produce a dense, absorbent material.

Abstract: A multiply paper structure having at least one ply containing a mixture of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers, having improved softening properties, readily moldable at moderate temperatures, printable with ordinary inks, and having adequate stiffness for applications requiring a desired stiffness, and a process for making the same.

Abstract: A smooth-textured non-woven, superabsorbent particle-impregnated fibrous structure is disclosed. The web exhibits an improved smooth surface texture. The structure contains from 50% to 80% of ion sensitive SAP having a particle size of less than 200 microns, wood pulp fibers and cellulose acetate fibers, each in preferred specified amounts indicated herein. The superabsorbent, ion sensitive polymer particle-impregnated fibrous structure is made from an aqueous, wet-lay process in which an aqueous furnish comprises solids of fibers and superabsorbent, ion sensitive polymer and dissolved salt, such as preferrably, Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4. The furnish is passed over a moving foraminous support, such as a Fourdrinier wire, and a wet web structure is formed, followed by drying.

Abstract: Aramid sheet material and parts molded therefrom comprising m-aramid fibrids containing up to 10% by weight dyes that are thermally stable up to the glass transition temperature of the m-aramid polymer and p-aramid or m-aramid short fibers.

Abstract: A binding tape is constructed from a binding tape paper, an pressure sensitive adhesive layer formed on one side of the binding tape paper, and a release sheet stuck to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The binding tape paper is made from a composite paper which includes a pulp at 30-70 parts by weight and synthetic resin fibers at 30-70 parts by weight, in which the synthetic resin fibers have a fineness of 0.4-3.0 deniers and a fiber length of 3-10 mm. The binding tape is formed by cutting the binding tape paper such that the machine direction of the composite paper is directed to the lengthwise direction of the respective binding tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing visible, preferably transparent or translucent, continuous streaks and/or delimited fields in paper in conjunction with forming a paper web in a paper machine. The method is characterized by essentially preventing dewatering of paper stock/paper fibres on one or more surfaces of a wire in the forming unit of a paper machine in conjunction with forming a paper web in the machine, and by applying a special stock that contains fibres which differ from the other fibre material deposited on the wire, optionally together with an arbitrary filler and/or binder. The invention also relates to a valuable document, such as a banknote, produced from the aforedescribed paper.

Abstract: A fibrous friction material in a sheet form having a top surface and a bottom surface with at least one surface containing a mixture of from about 10 to 65% cellulose fibers, about 5 to 50% carbon fibers, about 5 to 50% activated carbon, about 1 to 20% novoloid fibers, up to 65% diatomatious earth particles, and latex in an amount sufficient to increase the strength of the said sheet, with said percentages being based on the total weight of said sheet. The material is impregnated with a thermosetting resin prior to use.

Abstract: Aramid sheet material and parts molded therefrom comprising m-aramid fibrids containing up to 10% by weight dyes that are thermally stable up to the glass transition temperature of the m-aramid polymer and p-aramid or m-aramid short fibers.

Abstract: A paper comprises 5 to 100% by weight of a thermotropic aromatic polyester pulp with constituting fibers having an average fiber diameter of at least 0.1 .mu.m and less than 10 .mu.m and substantially no branches, and is obtained by a process which comprises wet forming a paper material comprising 5 to 100% by weight of the above pulp which is obtained from sea-islands fibers comprising an islands component of the thermotropic aromatic polyester and a sea component of another polymer by dissolving or decomposing off the sea component before or after cutting the fibers to an average length of not more than 5 mm. The paper has excellent strength, texture, electric insulation property and like properties.

Abstract: Coated paper stocks for electrostatic imaging comprising a substrate coated on at least one surface with a resin layer comprised of olefinic material and a pin-hole free, continuous coating layer over said resin layer. The continuous layer has a glass transition temperature above 100.degree. C. and is comprised of one or more natural or synthetic film forming polymers. As a single layer this continuous coating layer functions as both a heat protective and imaging layer. In an alternate embodiment two separate coating layers are provided with separate heat protective and imaging functionalities.

Abstract: The invention is a method for improving the efficiency of aqueous cationic wet strength additives by pretreating cellulose surfaces with reactive anionic compounds, thus providing the cellulose surface with additional anionic sites suitable for retaining a high proportion of said cationic wet strength additives on the cellulose. The wet strength additives on the cellulose surface are cured or reacted with the cellulose surface. The resulting fibrous material has unusually high wet strength with unusually low doses of cationic wet strength additive. The preferred reactive anionic compounds comprise compounds having a reactive group suitable for covalent bonding to hydroxyl groups on cellulose, and further having sulfonic or other anionic end groups capable of attracting cationic wet strength compounds in aqueous solution. The invention also includes means of preventing photoyellowing of high-yield fibers while simultaneously improving wet strength performance.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web suitable for use as a battery separator is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. The nonwoven composite material is made from a furnish of nylon binder fibers and nylon staple fibers. The web coming off the papermaking machine is dried using infra-red dryers followed by heated dryer cans. After drying, the web is thermally bonded using heated calendar rolls. The nylon binder fibers melt as the web passes through the calendar rolls and thermally bond the nylon staple fibers of the web when the melted binder fiber material fuses upon cooling. The use of dryer cans to dry and partially bond the web eliminates the need for surfactant treatment to improve potassium hydroxide absorption.

Abstract: Metal oxides or metal hydroxides, such as titanium dioxide, are incorporated into papermaking fibers by absorbing an organometallic compound into the fiber walls while the fibers are dry or slurried with a non-aqueous solvent and thereafter contacting the ester-containing fibers with water to precipitate the metal oxides or metal hydroxides. The resulting modified fibers can provide greater opacity and other improved properties to papers made from such fibers.

Abstract: Absorbent composites containing particles of absorbent gelling material and chemically stiffened, cellulosic fibers, the fibers being wrapped around and adhered to the particles, which are in individual form. The chemically stiffened, cellulosic fibers are preferably cellulosic fibers in substantially individual form having a crosslinking agent reacted with the fibers in intrafiber crosslink bond form. The absorbent composites are particularly suitable for use in the absorbent core of disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and diapers.