wet-strength papers

Once wet, ordinary papers lose most of their original dry-strength properties. Wet strength papers possess properties that resist disintegration and rupture when saturated with water. Papers are classified wet strength when they retain 15 percent or more of their dry-tensile strength. Superior quality wet strength papers may retain as much as 50 percent or more dry strength following immersing in water. Wet strength papers range in weight from tissue to paperboard.