Influence of amino silicone oil and different properties on fabric hand

1 Softness

Although amino silicone oil is characterized by the combination of amino functional groups and fabrics, the affinity of silicone to fabrics and the way of regular arrangement are greatly improved, thereby giving fabrics a soft and smooth hand. However, the actual finishing effect largely depends on the nature, quantity and distribution of amino functional groups in amino silicone oil. At the same time, the emulsion formula and the average particle size of the emulsion also affect the soft feel. If the above factors can achieve an ideal balance, the soft style of fabric finishing will be optimal, which is called "super soft". Generally, the ammonia value of amino silicone oil softener is mostly between 0.3 and 0.6. The higher the ammonia value, the more uniform the distribution of amino functional groups in the silicone oil, the softer the fabric feels, but when the ammonia value is greater than 0.6, the fabric feels softer. not significantly increased. In addition, the smaller the particle size of the emulsion, the more favorable the emulsion is to agglomerate, which is beneficial to the soft feel.

2 Smooth feel

Because the surface tension of the organosilicon compound is very small, the aminosilicon microemulsion is very easy to spread on the fiber surface, forming a good smooth hand. Generally speaking, the smaller the ammonia value, the larger the molecular weight of the amino silicone oil, and the better the smoothness. In addition, the amino-terminated silicone oil can form a very neat directional arrangement because all the silicon atoms in the chain link are connected with methyl groups, thereby obtaining an excellent smooth hand.

3 Elasticity (fullness)

The elasticity (fullness) that amino silicone oil softeners bring to fabrics varies with the reactivity, viscosity and ammonia value of silicone oils. Generally speaking, the elasticity of the fabric depends on the cross-linking of the amino silicone film on the surface of the fabric when the fabric is dried and set. a. The higher the ammonia value of the hydroxyl-terminated amino silicone oil, the better the fullness (elasticity) is. b. The introduction of hydroxyl groups into the side chain can greatly adjust the elasticity of the fabric. c. The introduction of long-chain alkyl groups into the side chain can also obtain ideal elastic hand. d. Select the appropriate cross-linking agent to obtain the desired elastic effect.

4 Whiteness

Due to the special activity of the amino functional group, the amino group will be oxidized under the influence of time, heat and ultraviolet rays, causing the fabric to turn yellow or slightly yellow. The influence of amino silicone oil on the whiteness of fabrics, including causing yellowing of white fabrics and discoloration of colored fabrics, has always been an important evaluation index for amino silicone oil finishing agents in addition to hand feel. Generally, the lower the ammonia value in amino silicone oil, the better the whiteness; but correspondingly, the smaller the ammonia value, the worse the softener. For this reason, it is necessary to select a silicone oil with an appropriate ammonia value to achieve the desired feel. In the case of low ammonia value, the desired soft hand can also be achieved by changing the molecular weight of amino silicone oil.