3M Innovative Properties Company

Robert L. Rowan & Associates, Inc.

Robert L Rowan

Delton R Thompson, Jr

Charles L Rowan

Delton R Thompson

Absorbent articles are described comprising an absorbent composite. The absorbent composite comprises a first absorbent layer comprising a polymeric foam having an average cell size of at least 100 microns. The polymeric foam has at least one property selected from a) an indentation force deflection of less than 75 N at 50%; or b) a constant deflection compression set of less than 25% for a deflection of 50%; or a combination of a) and b); and a second absorbent layer in fluid communication with the fluid transport layer. In another embodiment, the a second absorbent layer has an average absorption capacity of at least 20 g/g. In another embodiment, a polyurethane foam is described having an average cell size of at least 100 microns. The polyurethane foam comprises the reaction product of at least one polyol component having polyethylene oxide units and a polyisocyanate component that comprises at least 75 wt-% of at least one polymeric polyisocyanate that lacks urethane linkages. In some embodiments, the polyurethane foam is free of superabsorbent polymer. In some embodiments, the polyurethane foam has an average cell size up to 500 microns. In some embodiments, the polyurethane foam comprises at least 12 wt-% ethylene oxide units. Also described are various composites comprising the polyurethane foam described herein in combination with another substrate such as a second absorbent layer, a fluid impervious backsheet, and/or a fluid pervious topsheet.

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Lincoln University, PA, United States of America

Robert L Rowan