PERMEABILITY OF SHEETS OF NONWOVEN FIBROUS MEDIA

We introduce a computer lattice model for describing the factors contr olling the diffusivity of fibrous sheets. In our approach, particles d iffuse through the sheet by hopping between nearest-neighbor lattice s ites. For a given sheet density, we find that ribbon-shaped fibers lea d to larger voids and lower diffusivities. Our model results also indi cate that interstitial voids between successive fiber swaths in a shee t do not improve permeability to flow. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.