| abstract |
A highly densifiable wood pulp product (10) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the densifiable product includes fibers having low coarseness, preferably having a fiber coarseness less than about 22 mg/100 m, and a densifying agent. In another embodiment, the densifiable product further includes fibers having a coarseness greater than about 22 mg/100 m. Juvenile wood fibers are the preferred source of fibers having low coarseness. A densified pulp product formed by compacting a fibrous composite that includes fibers having a fiber coarseness less than about 22 mg/100 m, a densifying agent, and optionally, fibers having a coarseness grater than about 22 mg/100 m is also disclosed. The pulp products can be advantageously incorporated into absorbent articles and can optionally include superabsorbent material. Methods for forming the densifiable and densified fibrous products are also disclosed. |