Manufacturing of Fluff Pulp Using Different Pulp Sources and
Bentonite on an Industrial Scale for Absorbent Hygienic Products
Abstract:
In this study, for the first time, a composite fluff pulp was produced based on the combination
of softwood (i.e., long-length fiber), hardwood (i.e., short-length fiber), non-wooden pulps
(i.e., bagasse) and bentonite, with specific amounts to be used in hygienic pads (e.g., baby diapers
and sanitary napkins). After the defibration process, the manufactured fluff pulp was placed as an
absorbent mass in diapers and sanitary napkins. Therefore, tests related to the fluff pulp, such as
grammage, thickness, density, ash content, humidity percentage, pH and brightness, tests related
to the manufactured baby diapers, such as absorption capacity, retention rate, retention capacity,
absorption time and rewet, and tests related to the sanitary napkin, such as absorption capacity and
rewet, were performed according to the related standards. The results demonstrated that increasing
the amount of bagasse pulp led to increasing the ash content, pH and density of fluff pulp and
decreasing the brightness. The addition of bentonite as a filler also increased ash content and pH of
fluff pulp. The results also demonstrated that increasing of bagasse pulp up to 30% in combination
with softwood pulp led to increasing absorption capacity, retention rate, retention capacity, absorption
time and rewet of baby diapers and of sanitary napkins.
