Diapers are used to absorb urine and faeces. It is fastened around the waist just like underwear; the only difference is that it is thicker and spongier. This is because it contains absorbent materials which soak the excreta. There are two kinds of diapers, baby diapers and adult diapers. Adult diapers are used by those individuals who suffer from incontinence of either the bladder or bowels or both, as they are unable to control their urge urinate or to defecate due to medical conditions.
Importance of quality of Diapers
Diapers absorb human wastes, which is extremely pungent smelling and is unhygienic. So when a diaper leaks, the consequences can be very messy and inconvenient to deal with. It is very important for diapers to have good quality. Quality of diapers can be ensured by conducting tests on the sample products.
Parameters of Diaper Testing
Below are some of the parameters upon which the efficiency of a diaper depends. These are the factors which are tested to ensure quality.
Test of absorbent
The absorbent should be able to soak a considerable amount of semi-solids and liquids. The absorbent in the core is the material that determines how useful the product will turn out to be.
Compatibility with skin
The materials being used in the diaper must be gentle to the skin. It should not cause any irritation or discomfort. The materials used for adult diapers and baby diapers are different because the quality of their skin is different. Babies have more tender skin compared to adults. Test of compatibility of materials with skin is different for babies and adults.
Test of retention
Diapers are not removed as soon as defecation happens. It has to retain the liquid and semi-solid waste for some time. Tests have to be undertaken on diapers to determine if there exists a possibility of leakage or spillage. If that happens the diaper under test is rejected.
Test of integrity
Diaper pads have to remain fettered in its place even when the person wearing them is on the move. Tests are conducted to ensure pads do not get displaced or broken on impact from movement.
Test of disposability
Diapers are used only one time after which they have to be thrown away. So they have to be made from a material that can disintegrate and does not cause much environmental damage. Therefore, tests are done to check their disposability.
Testing these parameters for disposable diapers determines the degree of their quality.