research

What is a paper towel made out of ? – apapertowelismadeoftreeslikeallpaper(thepulp) – paper towels are made the same way all paper is made, they are made up of tree and plant material that is crushed together until they are separated into microscopic plant fibers. – These fibers are mainly made out of cellulose, which gives wood its strength.

What makes a paper towel absorbent? – microscopic spaces between the fibres where the water can be absorbed. – The paper towel is made up of cellulose which absorbs many water molecules. – Airpockets

I have noted though that different brands are made out of different things.

Viva paper towels are made up of: – Viva Towels are made from 100% virgin fiber. The cardboard cores utilize 100% recycled paper

Thick and thirsty: – fibre is sourced from plantations and environmentally sustainable forests

The pores in a paper towel make it absorb liquid, and also the surface tension has a role in this. A paper towel cannot hold more liquid than it has in pore space. The towel will start to drip when the bonds between liquid molecules absorbed in the towel are more than what the pores allow to be held and will start to bond togetther on the outside of the paper towel.