A Compounded Organosilicone Softener For Wool Fabrics

Based on the previous studies about the silicone softeners, the comprehensive analysis was made on the component elements for finishing requirements suitable for softening finishing for wool fabrics with antistatic function. The three kinds of aminosilicone oils were selected as the main compositions of the softener in this work, with isotridecyl polyoxyethylene ether( Lutensol TO5 and Lutensol TO7 ) and N,N,N-trimethyl-1-dodecanaminiu chloride used as the main emulsifiers, and ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether as the assistant emulsifier, the aminosilicone oils were emulsified and a transparent and clear microemulsion of aminosilicone oils was obtained. Then the cationic softener was added into the microemulsion to increase the antistatic ability, and the compounded multifunctional softener was prepared for softening finishing of wool fabrics. The influences of main factors on the microemulsion states were examined, including the ratio and dosage of main emulsifiers, the selection and the dosage of assistant emulsifiers, the ratio and contents of compound aminosilicone oils, pH, and agitation intensity. According to the physicochemical determinations of microemulsions, the specifications of the multifunctional softener and aminosilicone microemulsion were determined. Using the microemulsion and multifunctional softeners compounded in the present work for softening finishing of wool fabrics, the appropriate technology conditions of softening finishing for wool fabrics were determined by the orthogonal test.The experimental results indicate that the compounded aminosilicone microemulsion has the following formulation: 12% of the aminosilicone oil 4703, 3% of the aminosilicone oil 4708 and 5% modified silicone oil RC , 6% of Lutensol TO5 , 1.2% of Lutensol TO7, 2.8% of N, N, N-trimethyl-1-dodecanaminiu chloride (1231) emulsifiers, 3% of the ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether. On the basis of this compounded microemulsion, a faint yellow multifunctional softener emulsion is prepared by adding 0.8% (relative to the mass of aminosilicone microemulsion) of di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethylammonium chloride into the aminosilicone microemulsion. The solid contents of multifunctional softener is 26±1%, pH=5.6, and after centrifugal time last for 30 minutes, agitated at the velocity of 3000r/min , the emulsion remains stable and unstratified, with the stability of acid resistance, base resistance, electrolyte resistance and heat resistance. It is shown that the performances of the multifunctional softener samples made in this work meet the standard of the similar products in China. The proper process conditions of the muitifuntional softening finishing of wool fabrics is as follows: 5% of the softener dosage (O.W.F), l:20 of the bath ratio, and finishing for 40 minutes at 40℃.The drape coefficient for the softened wool fabrics is 37.49%, and the static friction angle is 17.2°. Compared with the unfinished fabrics(drape coefficient is 60.90%, static friction angle is 21.5°), the softening performance has been greatly improved. Wool fabrics treated by the softener have the soft, smooth and full feeling, with the increasing of the fabric antistatic ability.