Nonwoven for disposable hygiene products
A diaper is four or five nonwoven jobs stacked on each other, and each one has a different requirement: fluid passes through the topsheet, spreads in the acquisition layer, stays out of the backsheet and does not leak at the cuff.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Layer | Typical grade | gsm | What decides acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsheet | Hydrophilic spunbond or bicomponent | 12 to 20 gsm | Strike through, rewet, softness |
| Acquisition and distribution | Spunbond or through air bonded | 30 to 60 gsm | Liquid spread rate, bulk |
| Backsheet | Hydrophobic spunbond or film laminate | 15 to 25 gsm | Hydrostatic head, breathability |
| Leg cuff | Hydrophobic spunbond with elastic | 15 to 25 gsm | Barrier at the cuff, elongation |
| Sanitary cover | Hydrophilic spunlace or spunbond | 20 to 40 gsm | Softness, absorbency, low lint |
Topsheet: the grade that decides the product's reputation
The topsheet touches skin on every use, so softness and dryness are judged instantly. It is usually a hydrophilic spunbond or a bicomponent grade in the 12 to 20 gsm range, and the finish is as important as the fibre. Strike through speed and rewet under pressure are the two tests that matter.
A slightly heavier topsheet with a better finish usually outperforms a lighter one with a poor finish, at a small cost difference.
Backsheet and cuff: barrier without heat
These layers have to repel liquid while the product still breathes enough not to trap heat. Hydrophobic spunbond in the 15 to 25 gsm range is standard, sometimes laminated to film. At the cuff, elongation and elastic compatibility matter more than weight.
Where the converting line sets the requirement
Hygiene lines run fast and heat seal under tension. A fabric that passed the lab can still fail because it stretches at the wrong moment or seals weakly. Trial rolls on the actual machine are the only reliable test, and the trial usually runs at production speed.
Specifying hygiene grades?
Send the layer, the gsm and the acceptance test. Trial rolls can run before the programme is booked.
Questions
Common questions
Can you supply all layers of a diaper?
Topsheet, acquisition, backsheet and cuff grades can be quoted together. Tell us the machine and the product size so the slit plan matches the converting layout.
Which test decides topsheet acceptance?
Strike through time and rewet under pressure, at the flow rate your product is tested with. Softness is judged by a panel and should be agreed as a reference sample.
Do you supply to a converter's own specification?
Yes. Send the specification and the acceptance test. Where the grade does not exist, the trial run establishes it.