Influence of the layer structure on the permeability and water absorption of multilayer nonwovens for personal care

Šajn Gorjanc, Dunja (author)

The influence of multilayer nonwoven structures on permeability and water absorption in personal care applications is investigated. While extensive research has been conducted on nonwovens, limited studies address how layer composition, fiber orientation, and bonding methods affect liquid absorption under practical conditions. Previous research has predominantly focused on single-layer or homogeneous structures, leaving multilayer systems underexplored. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the effects of various layer configurations and bonding techniques, with particular emphasis on moisture management in personal care products. The tested samples comprise two- and three-layer systems. The first layer consists of polypropylene (PP) fibers, with an alternative version utilizing a dry-laid cotton/viscose (CO/CV) nonwoven that is both mechanically and thermally bonded. The second layer includes PP fibers, PP/CV blends, and a superabsorber, while the third layer contains CV fibers. The findings indicate that the structure and material composition of multilayer nonwoven fabrics significantly influence the permeability and absorption properties of sanitary napkin materials. Two-layer nonwovens exhibit higher water vapor permeability compared to three-layer designs. The raw material of the first layer, especially the distinction between hydrophilic and synthetic fibers and the presence of a microporous membrane, plays a critical role in permeability and absorption. Capillary rise is optimized by adjusting fiber diameter, surface openness, and fiber orientation, and the inclusion of superabsorbent materials substantially enhances water absorption. Thermal conductivity is more strongly influenced by the bonding process than by the number of layers, with spunbond samples demonstrating the lowest values. Achieving optimal sanitary napkin performance requires a careful balance of layer number, fiber type, bonding method, and surface openness.

• Language: English
• Keywords: nonwovens for personal care, water absorption, thermal conductivity, water vapor permeability, capillary rise
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 1-19
• Numbering: Vol. 21
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-185560
• UDC: 677
• ISSN on article: 1558-9250
• DOI: 10.1177/15589250261472974
• COBISS.SI-ID: 286231555
• Publication date in RUL: 10.08.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of engineered fibers and fabrics
• Publisher: INDA
• ISSN: 1558-9250
• COBISS.SI-ID: 15831318

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: netkane tekstilije za osebno nego, vpijanje vode, toplotna prevodnost, prepustnost za vodno paro, kapilarni dvig

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P2-0213-2020
• Name: Tekstilije in ekologija