What Is Airlaid? Understanding the Engineered Fabric Behind Absorbent Products
Airlaid is a nonwoven fabric made by dispersing short cellulose fibers (typically wood pulp) in air rather than water and bonding them with synthetic fibers or binders. This process produces a soft, bulky, and highly absorbent material used in everything from diapers and sanitary pads to medical wipes and industrial absorbents. How Is Airlaid Fabric Made? Unlike traditional paper or textile manufacturing, airlaid technology uses air streams to form fiber webs . Here's how the process works: Pulp Breakdown : Fluffed cellulose fibers are separated and aerated. Web Formation : Air carries the fibers to a forming drum or belt, where they settle into a uniform mat. Bonding : The web is stabilized through one of several bonding methods: Thermal bonding using heat and synthetic fibers (like bicomponent fibers) Latex bonding using chemical adhesives Hydrogen bonding (pressure + moisture), typically used in tissue-like applications The result is a soft, porous...