Investigation of the effect of composite structured nonwoven surfaces on the performance of disposable hygienic products

Disposable hygiene products, such as baby diapers, adult diapers, protective bed covers and sanitary pads are defined as products within the technical textiles field. In this study, composite textile surfaces with different properties were used for the core layer structure of sanitary pads. Additionally, the performance properties of the sanitary pad structure were investigated by combining these core layers with upper layer structures determined according to user expectations. Absorption time, rewetting, and liquid spreading tests were performed on the obtained sanitary pads, while thickness, machine direction tensile strength, weight, and air permeability tests were applied to the core layer surfaces to be used. Test results were analyzed with a variance analysis at a 95% confidence interval in the Minitab® statistical software program to determine whether the mentioned parameters (core layer type and upper layer type) had a significant effect on the properties of the disposable feminine pad product. An optimality graph was obtained using the Response Surface Method for the pad samples. According to the obtained analysis results, it was determined that the upper layer significantly affects the liquid absorption of the pad. In the core layer design, it was observed that air permeability value is inversely proportional to the liquid absorption rate. It was found that the designed composite nonwoven textile surfaces are more successful in terms of performance compared to the current product structure.