Softeners – Macro and Micro Silicones are used in finishing processes that constitute the last step of textile finishing processes. These are the processes that affect the attitude, appearance and usage characteristics of the product and gain new features. Softeners have a great place in these finishing processes. Softeners, which have the widest use in the textile industry and are in the Finishing Chemicals group, are silicones.
Softeners – Macro and Micro Silicones
Silicon Softeners, which have gained an important place in the finishing processes of textile finishing in recent years, have had the highest usage in the softener category. Methylsiloxane is described as the first silicone softener. Although its use is not common in recent years, silicone elastomers are in this category. With the developments in technology and chemistry, the number of silicone products such as Micro Emulsions and Hydrophilic Silicones are increasing and this product range is expanding day by day. Better sewing ease, shine, elasticity and softness can be counted as the properties that silicone elastomers bring to the fabric.
Today, Silicone Softeners, which are Macro and Micro Emulsions obtained from aminofunctional silicone oils, are commonly used as silicone emulsions. Macro emulsions remain on the surface of the fabric due to their large molecules and effectively provide surface softness. Silicon Micro emulsions have been included in the newly developed category and have gained great importance. It was concluded that the micro-emulsions of particle size were in the range of 10 to 100 nm. Micro emulsions range in color from slightly blue to transparent in appearance, and are not cloudy like milk. When the particle size of the micro-emulsions as clear as water was examined, it was concluded that they were below 10 nm.
Micro emulsions form a network structure on the surface. They show a very good spreading effect by providing movement from fiber to fiber and along the fiber surface without changing or deteriorating the network structure they form. Thanks to this feature, it provides surface lubricity, a very good surface, inner softness and in addition to these, it also provides anti-crease properties. Since they have amino groups, they are easily taken up by anionic surfaces. Cationic groups are oriented towards the fiber surface with perfect orientation, while non-polar groups are located outward from the fiber surface. Therefore, they are aminosilicones with the best softening properties in the Textile Softeners category.
Considering the disadvantages of these softeners; It was found that their resistance to yellowing was low. The reason for this is the oxidation of amino groups that are not resistant to atmospheric oxygen. Another disadvantage of aminofunctional silicone softeners, which gives the fabric a hydrophobic feature according to the usage area.
The most important differences between the production of Macro and Micro Silicones; Silicone microemulsion manufacturing requires advanced technology, more Emulsifiers, less energy use and self-emulsification at higher temperatures when necessary. The fact that Silicone Softeners give a more hydrophobic feature to the processed products is provided by the increase in the amine content, chain length or viscosity of the softener. As a result, the fabric gains a softer feature. In case the number of amine groups required in this softener chain is low or insufficient or the number of amine groups is too high, the desired attitude cannot be achieved. Therefore, optimum amine content has been an important criterion in Silicone Softeners.
Hydrophilic Silicone Softeners have started to be produced after micro-emulsions and hydrophilic silicone softeners have reduced the dangers of silicone stain formation. If we look at the reason for this, this softener group has the feature of having structures that can disperse in water or dissolve in water.
Effects of Macro and Micro Silicones on fabric
- Giving a soft, slippery and fuller appearance
- Increasing the friction resistance
- Providing ease of sewing
- Increasing the anti-crease rate
- Increasing tear strength
- Increasing washing durability
- Adding antipiling feature to the fabric
- Giving the fabric a water repellency (hydrophobic) feature
- Giving the fabric a hydrophilic feature
- Gaining antistatic feature
- Providing transaction security for further steps