Types, properties and applications of softeners

Softeners can be divided into two types: fatty acid derivatives and silicone oils. The former is a traditionally widely used softener, while the latter is a new variety. The development of silicone softeners is very fast, and new varieties with various properties and functions are constantly being developed and listed.

Because the silicone softener not only has better softening effect than the traditional softener, but also has better durability. Therefore, in the use of textile soft finishing, it has occupied the main position. However, because of its durable effect, once there are dyeing defects that need to be repaired to solve, or defects caused by careless operation of the soft treatment of the car, or color change caused by the soft treatment, the repair treatment will become more difficult.

Fatty acid derivative softeners and silicone softeners are mostly cationic, weakly cationic or non-ionic in ionic properties, so under the premise of compatibility, they are often treated with color fixing agents in one bath. Their working bath DH value is basically the best stability at weak acidity; Treatment bath temperature of 30 ~ 45 cc is appropriate. After soft treatment, it is no longer washed, and after baking, it has a higher fastness to film reaction. If the car is operated carelessly, the silicone softener is also easy to break milk and drift oil. Some dyes that need to be soft treated in the dyeing machine, such as garments, yarns, loose fibers, etc., are also prone to accumulated contamination of organic silicone oil substances in the equipment after a long time. It is more difficult to remove and repair than fatty acid film softeners.

Silicone oil in essence, is insoluble in water "oil", must be emulsified for dyeing and finishing production use. Some so-called water-soluble silicone oil varieties, in essence, have the function of self-emulsification in water, if the use of organic silicone oil does not master the characteristics of the serious violation of the requirements of the process conditions, the same will break the emulsion out of the oil problem.

The analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of silicone softener can be summarized as follows:

a. Optimal stability DH value range of working bath: 5-6.5.

b. Optimum temperature of working bath: 30 ~ 45℃.

c. Ionic: most varieties are cationic type, followed by non-ionic type, some varieties are anionic type. (Comparing the soft effect of various varieties, the cationic type is generally superior.)

The characteristics and commonness of color fixing agent and softening agent are summarized, and good treatment effect will be obtained when they are given the best stable process conditions. By doing the opposite, they can be destroyed and removed. Because the silicone softener has the highest fastness, if the silicone can be overcome, the other will naturally be solved.