63081-33 Silicone Softener (Hydrophilic, Soft & Smooth)
Features & Benefits
- Excellent hydrophilicity. Instant hydrophilicity.
- Strong affinity to natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
- Prevents pilling.
- Can be used together with durable setting resin in same bath.
Typical Properties
| Appearance: | Colorless transparent fluid |
| Ionicity: | Nonionic |
| pH value: | 6.0±1.0 (1% aqueous solution) |
| Solubility: | Soluble in water |
| Content: | 23% |
| Application: | Natural fibers and synthetic fibers, as cotton, polyester and nylon, etc. |
Package
120kg plastic barrel, IBC tank & customized package available for selection
TIPS:
Silicone softeners
Silicones were classified as a separate class of man-made polymers derived from silicon metal in 1904. They have been used to formulate textile softening chemicals since the 1960s. Initially, unmodified polydimethylsiloxanes were used. In the late 1970s, the introduction of aminofunctional polydimethylsiloxanes opened new dimensions of textile softening. The term ‘silicone’ refers to artificial polymer based on a framework of alternating silicon and oxygen (siloxane bonds). The larger atomic radius of silicon atom makes the silicon–silicon single bond much less energetic, hence silanes (SinH2n+1) are much less stable than alkenes. However, silicon–oxygen bonds are more energetic (about 22Kcal/mol) than carbon–oxygen bonds. Silicone also derives from its kitone-like structure (silico–ketone) similar to acetone. Silicones are free of double bonds in their backbones and are not oxocompounds. Generally, the silicone treatment of textiles consists of silicone polymer (mainly polydimethylsiloxanes) emulsions but not with the silane monomers, which may liberate hazardous chemicals (e.g. hydrochloric acid) during treatment.
Silicones exhibit some unique properties including thermal oxidative stability, low temperature flowability, low viscosity change against temperature, high compressibility, low surface tension, hydrophobicity, good electric properties and low fire hazard because of their inorganic–organic structure and the flexibility of the silicone bonds. One of the key features of silicone materials is their effectiveness at very low concentrations. Very small amounts of silicones are required to achieve the desired properties, which can improve the cost of textile operations and ensure a minimum environmental impact.
The mechanism of softening by silicone treatment is due to a flexible film formation. The reduced energy required for a bond rotation makes the siloxane backbone more flexible. The deposition of flexible film reduces interfibre and interyarn friction.
Thus the silicone finishing of textile produces an exceptional soft handle combined with other properties such as:
(1) Smoothness
(2) Greasy feel
(3) Excellent body
(4) Improved crease resistance
(5) Improved tear strength
(6) Improved sewability
(7) Good antistatic and antipilling properties
Because of their inorganic–organic structure and the flexibility of the siloxane bonds, silicones have the following unique properties:
(1) Thermal/oxidative stability
(2) Low-temperature flowability
(3) Low change of viscosity with temperature
(4) High compressibility
(5) Low surface tension (spreadability)
(6) Low fire hazard
Silicones have very wide application in textile processing, such as fiber lubricants in spinning, high-speed sewing machinery, winding and slashing, as binders in nonwoven manufacturing, as antifoam in dyeing, as softeners in print paste, finishing and coating.
