Nonwovens Glossary - INDA

Activated carbon
A form of carbon capable of removing certain gases from air or impurities from water.
Carbon is obtained from certain materials, generally of vegetable origin, and activated to
produce a porous structure with a large surface area and adsorptive properties.
Additives
Chemicals added or incorporated into materials to give them different functional or aesthetic
properties, such as flame retardancy and softness.
Adhesion
The force that holds different materials together at their interface.
Adhesive migration
The movement of adhesive in a fabric during drying or curing, to give it a non-uniform
distribution within the web usually increasing to the outer layers.
Adsorbent
It is the material to which a molecule is attached and retained.
Adsorption
The attraction and adhesion of gaseous or liquid molecules to the surface of a solid. The
strength of the bond depends on the van der Waal forces between two molecules.
Aerosol
Small particles, solid, semi-solid or liquid suspended in the air. The diameter of the particles
may vary from 100 microns down to 0.02 microns. Examples are dust, smoke and fog.
Aesthetics
Properties of fabrics perceived by touch, sight, smell and sound. Examples are hand, drape,
texture, rustle, color and odor.
Afterglow
The flameless, ember-like burning of a material after the external ignition source is removed.
After treatment (Finishing)
Chemical or mechanical processes carried out after a web has been formed and bonded to
enhance functional or aesthetic properties. Examples are embossing, crêping, softening,
printing and dyeing. The term also includes slitting to narrower widths and rewinding to
desired roll lengths.
Agglomeration
A cluster of particles or fibers.
2 Nonwovens Glossary