| abstract |
Individualized, chemically crosslinked high-bulk cellulosic fibers comprising cellulosic fibers chemically intra-fiber crosslinked with a polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid and malic acid and mixtures thereof optionally further comprising the addition of one or more crosslinking agents selected from poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(maleic acid), poly (methylvinylether-co-maleate) copolymer, poly(methylvinylether-co-itaconate) copolymer, citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, citraconic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, tartrate monosuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. A method of making individualized chemically intra-fiber crosslinked high-bulk fibers comprises applying a polycarboxylic acid crosslinking agent to a mat of cellulosic fibers and curing the crosslinking agent to form intra-fiber crosslinks. <IMAGE> |