Absorbent Materials / Information

Absorbent Materials Basics

There are many types of absorbent pad materials on the market, making it challenging for those who are new to using these products. Rock Oil would like to keep it simple for you. Most applications can be matched with the two most commonly used types for oil and other automotive fluids. Scroll down for pictures / descriptions.

Gray Universal

This type of absorbent material is commonly available in pad or roll form. It is treated to absorb all types of liquids, including oil, water, antifreeze and tool coolant, spawning the name ‘universal’.

White Oil Only This type of absorbent material is commonly available in pad or roll form. This pad will readily soak up oil of any type, while repelling water and or other liquids such as antifreeze or tool coolant.

The thickness (weight) of the absorbent product can vary, as well as the surface material used. Thicker pads are best for larger spills or persistent leaks to collect or hold a liquid. Thinner materials are better for wiping, cleaning, or smaller spills. A simple guideline is as this: If the pad is going to be stationary, placed on a spill or leak, use a thick pad. If the pad is going to be moved around, as in wiping, use a thinner pad.

Different types of construction also can be confusing. We recommend for thick pads, that a laminated pad be used. This construction places absorbent fluff in between two layers of tough fabric, and welds the edges together. The construction is like a quilt. For thinner pads, a simpler pad is needed, such as a meltblown or finefiber, which are homogonous, with no cover material.

Most types of laminated, meltblown, or finefiber materials come in pads or rolls, depending on the application. There are also socks available, which are a flexible tubular absorbent mostly used to surround a leak or spill.

Granular absorbents With the new regulation in Wisconsin banning absorbent materials from landfills (see Act 86), disposal of clay material is becoming more difficult. We offer an alternative, which reduces your disposal costs and requires less mining to produce. We can supply a product, EZEE-Dri granular, which is a material produced from scrap and recycled wood. This material performs well and is a cost effective alternative to the clay materials.

Feel free to browse our information and call us with any questions or to place an order. We also can help select a material not shown, or compare pricing to a material you are currently using.