Application of Hot Melt Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (HMPSA) in Pet Pads

       Driven by the growing pet care industry, market demand for pet training pads and underpads has experienced rapid expansion.

While the structure of a pet pad resembles that of a human medical underpad or a baby diaper, the unique usage scenarios—such as pet scratching, pawing, heavy liquid discharge, and long placement times—give HMPSA applications in pet pads both commonalities and specialized performance requirements.

Key Application Modules and Performance Requirements

A pet pad generally consists of a hydrophilic nonwoven top sheet, an absorbent core (SAP + fluff pulp / tissue paper), a PE back sheet film, and optional four-corner positioning tapes. HMPSA is applied across three primary areas:

1. Construction Bonding

• Application Area: Laminates the nonwoven top sheet, absorbent core (tissue-wrapped SAP/pulp), and PE back sheet together into a unified article.

• Primary Function: Maintains structural integrity. As pets step, scratch, or circle on the pad, the adhesive prevents the nonwoven sheet and back film from delaminating and stops the internal SAP and fluff pulp from shifting, clumping, or breaking.

• Performance Requirements:

  • High Peel Strength: Resists physical tearing from pet claws.

  • Does Not Hinder Liquid Penetration: Spray patterns (spiral or fiberization) must maintain open porous gaps, allowing urine to penetrate the top sheet instantly into the SAP absorbent core.

2. Edge Sealing & Border Bonding

• Application Area: Perimeter folding and edge sealing around the four borders of the pet pad.

• Primary Function: Creates a sealed perimeter barrier to prevent urine from leaking sideways (side leakage) onto the floor.

• Performance Requirements: Demands strong wet strength and sealing capability to remain bonded when edges get wet.

3. Four-Corner Anti-Slip Tape Adhesive (Positioning Adhesive)

• Application Area: Applied to the four corners on the underside of mid-to-high-end pet pads, covered with release paper.

• Primary Function: Allows pet owners to peel off the release paper and fix the pad flat on hardwood floors, tiles, or pet crates, preventing the pad from flipping or sliding when pets run or jump.

• Performance Requirements:

  • Clean Peel: Removable without leaving adhesive residue or damaging floor coatings.

  • High Shear Strength: Prevents the pad from shifting under horizontal dragging forces from active pets.

Special Performance Standards for Pet Pad HMPSA

Compared to human hygiene articles, adhesives for pet pads have specific priority requirements:

Common Application Methods (Dispensing Technologies)

Automated pet pad converting lines typically utilize the following spray methods:

• Spiral Spray: Used for broad-surface construction lamination, delivering high bond strength and scratch resistance while allowing rapid fluid penetration.

• Fiberization (Fine-Fiber Spray): Used for ultra-thin pet pads to achieve uniform coverage at lower coat weights (low add-on), reducing raw material costs.

• Slot Die / Multi-Line Extrusion: Used for four-corner positioning tapes and perimeter edge sealing, offering continuous, high-strength sealing or anti-slip protection.

Professional Hot Melt Adhesive Solutions

-------- JCC Tianyang Group

Nancy Yu