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Hydrophilic Vs. Hydrophobic Nonwovens: Selection Guide for Hygiene Products

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Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic Nonwoven Fabrics

How to Choose for Disposable Hygiene Products? A Comprehensive Analysis of Applications and Advantages

In the realm of disposable hygiene products, have you ever wondered why the surface of diapers remains dry while medical protective suits can be waterproof? Behind this phenomenon, hydrophilic and hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics play crucial roles. Today, let's delve into their mysteries.

1. Basic Concept Analysis

1.1 Hydrophilic Nonwoven Fabrics

Hydrophilic nonwoven fabric is a nonwoven fabric that has been modified or coated to have water-absorbing properties. One of their characteristics is the ability to rapidly permeate liquids, allowing them to quickly pass through the surface layer and isolate the skin from moisture.

For instance, in baby diapers, hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics serve as the top layer for directing liquid flow, instantly absorbing urine and keeping the baby's skin dry and comfortable. They also possess a soft and skin-friendly texture, causing no irritation or discomfort when in contact with the skin. This makes them highly suitable for the hygiene materials sector, providing gentle care for the skin.

hydrophilic nonwoven

1.2 Hydrophobic Nonwoven Fabrics

Hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics are nonwoven fabrics that have undergone hydrophobic treatment, causing liquids to form beads and slide off the surface, thus preventing liquid penetration. Their primary advantage is waterproofing and stain resistance.

In the context of medical protective suits, they effectively block blood and droplets, preventing harmful substances from penetrating the suits and coming into contact with the bodies of medical personnel, thereby providing vital protection. Moreover, they offer breathability, allowing the skin to "breathe" and preventing discomfort caused by prolonged wear.

hydrophobic nonwoven

2. Typical Applications in Disposable Hygiene Products

Applications of Hydrophilic Nonwoven Fabrics

Baby diapers and feminine hygiene products: Hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics are primarily used as the top layer for directing liquid flow. They act as a rapid conduit, allowing liquids to quickly pass through the surface layer and into the absorption layer, thereby maintaining a dry surface.

Wet wipes: Hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics enhance the liquid retention capacity. They can firmly lock in moisture, ensuring that wet wipes remain damp when wiping the skin.

Applications of Hydrophobic Nonwoven Fabrics

Medical protective suits: They effectively block blood and droplets, preventing harmful substances from penetrating the suits and providing a robust safety barrier for medical personnel.

Outer layer of diapers: Hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics prevent urine from leaking out of the diapers, keeping them dry and tidy, and avoiding soiling of clothes and bed sheets.

3. How to Choose? Key Comparison Dimensions

3.1 Liquid Handling Capability

Hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics focus on absorbing liquids, rapidly permeating them into the absorption layer, and are suitable for disposable hygiene products that require the quick absorption of large amounts of liquid.

Hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics specialize in blocking liquids, causing them to bead and slide off the surface and preventing penetration. They are ideal for applications where liquid isolation is necessary.

3.2 Breathability Requirements

For disposable hygiene products that are in prolonged contact with the skin, material selection must balance hydrophilicity and breathability. If hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics lack sufficient breathability, the skin may remain in a damp environment for extended periods.

Hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics, while blocking liquids, must also ensure a certain level of breathability to prevent skin issues like stuffiness and itching caused by inadequate air circulation.

3.3 Cost and Process Differences

Hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics require modification or coating processes to enhance their water-absorbing properties, which impact their cost. Hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics also involve hydrophobic treatment processes with associated cost expenditures.

Enterprises need to consider product positioning, target markets, and consumer demands, and choose the most suitable nonwoven fabric type while ensuring product quality and balancing cost and process considerations.

4. Industry Trends and Innovations

4.1 Composite Materials

Currently, the industry has introduced composite materials featuring hydrophilic and hydrophobic layer designs, which are widely used in premium diapers and other disposable hygiene products.

For example, in diapers, the top layer is hydrophilic nonwoven fabric that quickly absorbs urine. The middle layer may have a composite functional layer, while the bottom layer is hydrophobic nonwoven fabric that prevents urine leakage.

4.2 Eco-Friendly Trends

As environmental awareness continues to grow, biodegradable nonwoven fabrics have become a focal point of the industry.

Biodegradable hydrophilic and hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics meet product functionality requirements while gradually decomposing in natural environments, reducing pollution and driving the disposable hygiene products industry toward sustainability.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics become damp? How to address this?

Hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics, due to their water-absorbing properties, may become damp if the absorbed liquid cannot be promptly absorbed by the absorption layer or expelled. To prevent this, first, the structure of disposable sanitary products should be reasonably designed to ensure smooth liquid conduction between the hydrophilic non-woven fabric and the absorbent layer; second, it can be matched with materials with good breathability to allow the absorbed liquid to diffuse and evaporate faster.

Can hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics be reused?

Generally, disposable hygiene products made from hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics, such as medical protective suits, are not recommended for reuse. They are primarily used for protection and may have come into contact with harmful substances during use. Reusing them poses safety risks. However, some hydrophobic nonwoven products used in non-medical scenarios, such as outdoor rain gear, may be reused under certain conditions after appropriate cleaning, provided they have not been contaminated.

Which nonwoven fabric is safer in hygiene products?

Both hydrophilic and hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics are safe and reliable as long as they meet national and industry standards. When selecting, the key is to determine based on the product's intended use and application scenario. For example, for skin-contact hygiene products like diapers and sanitary napkins, the skin-friendly properties of hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics should be emphasized; for medical protective suits, the protective performance of hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics should be prioritized.

Make the Right Choice for Your Products

In summary, hydrophilic and hydrophobic nonwoven fabrics each excel in the disposable hygiene products sector and complement each other. When purchasing disposable hygiene products, consumers should understand the type and characteristics of the nonwoven fabrics used in the product.

Enterprises should also keep pace with industry trends, ensuring product quality and safety while continuously innovating and optimizing to meet consumers' increasingly diverse needs.

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