Importance

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Abstract

The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material. This method is not limited to room temperature conditions and can be applied whenever the expandable polymer material is wet with a wettable liquid, and the expansion is performed at a temperature preferably below the vaporization or boiling points of that liquid.

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First Claim