A Study on Simulated Urine Absorption Behaviour of Kapok-Cotton Blended Nonwoven Web

Figures & data

Figure 1. SEM image of kapok fiber (cross-sectional and longitudinal view): (i, ii) raw kapok fiber, (iii, iv) scoured kapok fiber, (v, vi) re-wetted kapok fiber.

Figure 2. Optical microscope observation of water movement within hollow kapok fiber.

Figure 3. Liquid absorption capacity of kapok fiber.

Figure 4. Contact angle measurement of Kapok-cotton blended nonwoven: (a, b) sample A, (c, d) sample B, (e, f) sample C.

Figure 5. Absorption capacity of samples a (0–100%), B (50–50%), and C (70–30%) for Kapok-cotton fibrous nonwoven by GATS and sink test.

Table 1. Significance test on the influence of fiber composition (0%, 50%, and 100%) Kapok-cotton blend on absorption capacity (g/g) by GATS (gravimetric absorbency testing system).

	Kapok: Cotton (%)		Calculated (t-value)	Theoretical (t-value, at 5% significance level)	Observation
1	0–100	50:50	0.813	2.77	Non-Significant
2		70:30	0.300	2.77	Non-Significant
3	50–50	70–30	1.66	2.77	Non-Significant

Table 2. Significance test on the influence of fiber composition (0%, 50%, and 100%) Kapok-cotton blend on absorption capacity (g/g) by sink test.

	Kapok: Cotton (%)		Calculated (t-value)	Theoretical (t-value, at 5% significance level)	Observation
1	0–100	50:50	4.853	3.18	Significant
2		70:30	4.54	3.18	Significant
3	50–50	70–30	1.107	4.303	Non-Significant

Table 3. Physical characteristics of Kapok-cotton blended webs.

Sample code	Kapok- cotton ratio (%)	Areal density of tested specimen (g/m^2)	Dry thickness (mm)	Bulk density (dry) (g/cm^3)	Pore Size
					*MFP (µm)	*SP (µm)
A	0:100	54–63	0.65 (4.6)	0.093	40.85	3.21
B	50:50	55–65	0.89 (0.8)	0.075	39.28	3.62
C	70:30	45–60	0.59 (3.6)	0.080	40.58	3.40

CV% values are shown within parenthesis.

*MFP: Mean Flow Pore, SP: Smallest Pore.

Figure 6. Absorption rate of samples a (0–100%), B (50–50%), and C (70–30%) for Kapok-cotton fibrous nonwoven by GATS.

Table 4. Significance test on the influence of fiber composition (0%, 50%, and 100%) Kapok-cotton blend on absorption rate (g/s) by GATS (gravimetric absorbency testing system).

	Kapok: Cotton (%)		Calculated (t-value)	Theoretical (t-value, at 5% significance level)	Observation
1	0–100	50:50	5.71	2.77	Significant
2		70:30	3.47	2.77	Significant
3	50–50	70–30	3.76	2.77	Significant

Figure 7. Pore size distribution of Kapok-cotton nonwoven fibrous by Porolux 100.

Figure 8. Retention test of Kapok-cotton nonwoven web at varying external pressure by sink test.