In one aspect, the invention provides an article consisting essentially of a paper layer including about 10 Wt % to about 40 Wt % of a thermoplastic polymer and an ePTFE membrane laminated to the paper layer. Preferably, the paper layer includes about 10 Wt % to about 30 Wt % of a thermoplastic polymer. More preferably, the paper layer includes about 18 Wt % to about 25 Wt % of a thermoplastic polymer. A paper layer including about 20 Wt % of a thermoplastic polymer is most preferred. In another aspect, the thermoplastic polymer may comprise poly vinyl acetate. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a filter media consisting essentially of a cellulose paper layer including about 20 Wt % poly vinyl acetate binder; and an ePTFE membrane laminated to said cellulose paper layer. In still another aspect, the invention provides a paper layer in which the paper is cellulose paper. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of making a filter media consisting essentially of: providing a cellulose paper layer including about 20 Wt % of poly vinyl acetate, providing an ePTFE membrane to at least one surface of the cellulose paper layer; and laminating the ePTFE membrane to the cellulose paper layer.
1. An article consisting essentially of:
a) a paper layer consisting of cellulose fibers and about 10 Wt % to about 40 Wt % of a thermoplastic binder wherein the binder is polyvinyl acetate, and
b) a hydrophobic ePTFE membrane laminated to the paper layer.
2. The article of claim 1 in which the paper layer includes about 10 Wt % to about 30 Wt % of the thermoplastic binder.
3. The article of claim 1 in which the paper layer includes about 18 Wt % to about 25 Wt % of the thermoplastic binder.
4. The article of claim 1 in which the paper layer includes about 20 Wt % of the thermoplastic binder.
5. A filter media consisting essentially of:
a) a cellulose paper layer consisting of cellulose fibers and about 20 Wt % poly vinyl acetate binder, the cellulose paper layer having an upstream side and a downstream side relative to the direction of airflow; and
b) a hydrophobic ePTFE membrane laminated to the upstream side of said cellulose paper layer.
6. A method of making a filter media consisting essentially at
a) providing a cellulose paper layer consisting essentially of cellulose fibers and about 20 Wt % of poly vinyl acetate binder,
b) providing a hydrophobic ePTFE membrane to at least one surface of the cellulose paper layer; and
c) laminating the ePTFE membrane to the cellulose paper layer such that the ePTFE membrane adheres to the cellulose paper layer by melting at least a portion of the poly vinyl acetate binder.