| abstract |
Absorbent composite fabrics for use as or in absorbent products such as wound dressings are disclosed. The fabrics comprise a light, water-permeable hydrophobic first layer (2,8,9) of nonwoven fibrous material having a weight of from 15 to 40g/m² and bonded by hydraulic entanglement to a water-absorbent nonwoven fibrous second layer (3,7). The fabrics are applied to wounds or burns with the hydrophobic first layer in contact with the wound. Fluids from the wound pass through the water-permeable hydrophobic first layer (2,8,9) and are absorbed in the fibrous second layer (3,7). The surface of the first layer (2,8,9) remains dry and non-adherent to the wound. A method of manufacture of the absorbent composite fabrics by hydraulic entanglement is also disclosed. |