Conference Speakers

Mahsa Nazem

The Nonwovens Institute at NC State

Ingredient Induced Fiber Degradation in Wet Wipes

Wet wipes, particularly pre-wetted formats, are composed of absorbent nonwoven substrates saturated with cleaning formulations containing water, preservatives, surfactants, pH adjusters, and other functional additives. Interactions between these ingredients and the substrate fibers can lead to morphological and mechanical degradation, reducing product shelf life and influencing disposal behavior—issues made more pressing by regulations restricting synthetic polymers and the growing use of bio-based fibers.

This study investigates the effect of key formulation ingredients—individually and in combination—on three fiber types: PET, rayon, and polylactic acid (PLA) variants. Static degradation tests, conducted under accelerated aging conditions (47 �C, 20% RH), combined scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing, and pH monitoring to quantify fiber changes over 10 weeks. PET exhibited minimal degradation, while rayon showed pronounced fibrillation and tensile loss in acidic environments. PLA fibers degraded via fibrillation and crack formation, with PBS-containing PLA degrading fastest. The magnitude and rate of degradation correlated with formulation composition, pH shifts, and polymer type.

Results highlight the importance of fiber–formulation compatibility in maintaining product performance, predicting shelf life, and guiding the substitution of materials with sustainable alternatives. Future work will extend testing to room-temperature conditions and apply creep rupture analysis to model long-term durability.