Mercerization process of pulp to produce high porous material

Abstract

This invention relates to mercerized cellulose fibers which form a fibrous web that exhibit an Air Porosity equal to or greater than about 100 cfm/sq ft as determined by the procedure of TAPPI T251 cm-85 on 60 gsm handsheets at a pressure of 125 Pa, and preferably having a kink index equal to or greater than about 2.5 and a curl index equal to or greater than about 0.28 as measured by Fibers Quality Analyzer (FQA) manufactured by Optest, Canada.

1 . A mercerized cellulose fiber that forms fibrous webs that exhibit an Air Porosity equal to or greater than about 110 cfm/sq ft as determined by the procedure of TAPPI T251 cm-85 on 60 gsm handsheets at a pressure of 125 Pa.  
   
   
       2 . A fibrous web comprising a plurality of mercerized cellulose fibers, said fibrous web exhibiting Air Porosity equal to or greater than about 110 cfm/sq ft as determined by the procedure of TAPPI T251 cm-85 on 60 gsm handsheets at a pressure of 125 Pa.  
   
   
       3 . An article of manufacture comprising a body all or a portion of which comprises a fibrous web exhibiting an Air Porosity equal to or greater than about 110 cfm/sq ft as determined by the procedure of TAPPI T251 cm-85 on 60 gsm handsheets at a pressure of 125 Pa.  
   
   
       4 . A process for forming the mercerized fibers which comprising treating cellulosic fibers with a mercerization agent rich in dissolved hemicelluloses built up after continuous recirculation of the alkaline liquors or by extra addition of soluble carbohydrates, at an alkali concentration of from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. % (based on the total weight of the mixture) at temperature and for a time sufficient to form mercerized cellulose fibers which form fibrous webs that exhibit an Air Porosity equal to or greater than about 100 cfm/sq ft as determined by the procedure of TAPPI T251 cm-85 on 60 gsm handsheets at a pressure of 125 Pa.