High absorbency lyocell fibers and method for producing same

Abstract

High absorbency lyocell fibers are obtainable by hydrothermal treatment. The fibers can be treated with water at temperatures of at least 60° C. to provide lyocell fibers that can be formed into a random fibrous plug having a mass of 2 g, a density of 0.4 g/cm 3 , and a diameter of 25 mm which has a GAT Absorbency (at 15 min.) of at least about 3.7 g/g.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A method for increasing the absorbency of lyocell fibers, comprising:
 (a) hydrothermally treating the lyocell fibers with water at a temperature of at least about 60° C. for about one to sixty minutes; and   (b) drying the treated lyocell fibers to a moisture content of less than about 20 wt-%;   wherein the treated lyocell fibers are capable of being formed into a random fibrous plug having a mass of 2 g, a density of 4 g/cm 3 , and a diameter of 25 mm which has a GAT Absorbency (at 15 min.) of at least about 3.7 g/g.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the water has a temperature of about 80° C. to about 100° C. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the water comprises ionic material and the fibers are treated at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 110° C. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the fibers are treated with boiling water. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adding glycerol monolaurate to the lyocell fibers.