Topsheets are usually spunbond or carded through-air bonded fabrics of about 12 to 25 g/m2, treated with a hydrophilic finish so liquid passes quickly while the surface stays dry. Softness, strike-through, rewet and appearance are the selling points, and many topsheets are apertured or embossed. European suppliers often call the material coverstock.
Topsheet strike-through is good, but marketing wants it softer, so look at the TAB option.
Also heard as
- coverstock
- top sheet
- facing layer
Related terms
Strike-through
Hygiene test time for a set dose of liquid to pass through a topsheet into the absorbent pad underneath.
Rewet
Amount of liquid that comes back up through a topsheet under pressure after the pad has absorbed it.
ADL
Acquisition distribution layer: the lofty layer under a diaper topsheet that takes in liquid and spreads it to the core.
TAB
Through-air bonded: shop and spec shorthand for fabrics bonded by hot air drawn through the web.
Aperturing
Making a regular pattern of holes in a nonwoven, mainly so liquid passes through topsheets faster.