wet strength

American  

noun

Papermaking.

1. the relative resistance of paper to tearing when wet, resulting from the addition of resins during manufacture.

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Example Sentences

When Consumer Reports rated 16 brands of toilet paper in 2009, Small Steps ranked 14th, bested by brands including Charmin and Cottonelle on factors like softness and wet strength.

From New York Times

After the Solka pulp is made into what is called "Brown Wet Strength material" in Berlin, N. H., it goes to the Pervel Corp. plant in Worcester, Mass., to be treated till it becomes a material that looks not unlike percale or broadcloth.

From Time Magazine Archive

If by some parliamentary miracle the mildest Wet proposal such as the manufacture of 2.75% beer should be got before the House next winter, it might win about 90 votes, the maximum Wet strength.—

From Time Magazine Archive