An absorbent core is provided which is useful for an absorbent article. The core comprises a substrate layer, comprising a first surface and a second surface. The core further comprises a discontinuous layer of absorbent material, comprising a first surface and a second surface. The absorbent material comprises an absorbent polymer material, and optionally an absorbent fibrous material representing less than 40 weight percent, preferably not representing more than 20 weight percent, of the total weight of the absorbent polymer material. The core further comprises a layer of thermoplastic material, the layer of thermoplastic material comprising a first surface and a second surface. The second surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material is in at least partial contact with the first surface of the substrate layer, portions of the second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with the first surface of the substrate layer, and portions of the second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with the first surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material.
The thermoplastic material is an adhesive having a storage modulus G' measured at 60°C of less than 300,000 Pa and more than 18,000 Pa, and/or a cross-over temperature T x above 80°C.