Ingredient-induced fiber degradation in wet wipes

Pre-wetted wipes consist of an absorbent delivery substrate saturated with a formulation. Despite their convenience, they face challenges due to interactions between the formulation and the substrate, Which may result in fiber degradation, reducing fiber strength and shelf life. This research aims to comprehensively explore the effects of key ingredients in formulations on the fiber properties, investigate changes in morphology and mechanical properties to pinpoint degradation mechanisms. The hypothesis is that key ingredients in the wet wipe formulation can accelerate the hydrolytic degradation in polymers containing hydrolysable backbone bonds. For this purpose, a static degradation study will be conducted, where fibers are freely immersed in the formulation. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers exhibit relatively higher chemical stability, whereas rayon fibers undergo more pronounced degradation in acidic environments. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate fiber–formulation combinations to minimize fiber degradation and enhance the shelf life of wet wipes.