What are the applications of Polydimethylsiloxane in textiles?

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and its modified derivatives are commonly used silicone materials in the textile industry. With their unique hydrophobicity, softness, thermal stability and low surface tension, they are widely used in functional finishing of fabrics. The following are its main applications and mechanisms of action in the textile field:

1. Softening Agent

Function:

PDMS forms an elastic film on the fiber surface, reduces friction between fibers, and gives the fabric a smooth, fluffy and soft feel.

Features:

It is more washable than traditional softeners (such as quaternary ammonium salts) and is not easy to yellow.

Applicable to cotton, wool, chemical fibers (such as polyester, nylon), etc.

Modification type:

Amino silicone oil (amino-modified PDMS): Enhances adsorption and provides super soft effect.

Epoxy-modified silicone oil: Improves hydrophilicity and reduces greasy feeling.

2. Waterproofing/Water Repellency

Function:

The hydrophobicity of PDMS (contact angle>100°) forms a water-repellent film on the fabric surface, achieving a water-repellent effect.

Application scenarios:

Outdoor clothing, tents, umbrellas, etc.

Often compounded with fluorine-containing waterproofing agents (such as PFAS) to improve durability.

3. Anti-wrinkle/elastic recovery

Function:

The elastic film of PDMS can buffer the force on the fiber and improve the wrinkle recovery of the fabric, especially suitable for wrinkle-prone fabrics such as cotton and linen.

Process:

Used with resin finishing agents (such as DMDHEU) to reduce fiber embrittlement caused by resin.

4. Wear-resistant/anti-pilling

Function:

PDMS lubricates the fiber surface, reduces the pilling and pilling caused by friction, and prolongs the life of the fabric.

Applicable fabrics:

Knitwear, wool products, chemical fiber blended fabrics.

5. Hydrophilic finishing (modified PDMS)

Breakthrough of contradictions:

Traditional PDMS is hydrophobic, but through polyether modification (such as PEG-grafted PDMS), the fabric can be made hydrophilic and used for:

Sportswear, underwear: moisture absorption and perspiration.

Medical textiles: antistatic, comfort improvement.

6. Defoamer (textile printing and dyeing auxiliaries)

Function:

The low surface tension of PDMS can destroy the stability of foam and is used for defoaming in dye slurry, pre-treatment scouring and other processes.

Advantages:

High efficiency, chemical inertness, no effect on dyeing effect.

7. Coating finishing (functional coating)

Application:

Breathable and waterproof coating: compounded with PU (polyurethane), used for outdoor clothing (such as Gore-Tex alternative process).

Flame retardant coating: After adding flame retardant, PDMS improves the flexibility of the coating.

8. Elastic fiber/yarn treatment

Function:

Used for lubrication of spandex and core-spun yarn to reduce the breakage rate during spinning.

Improve the resilience and fatigue resistance of stretch fabrics.

9. Environmentally friendly alternative applications

Replacement of PFAS:

In the context of EU restrictions on PFAS (perfluorinated compounds), PDMS-based finishing agents have become an alternative for some waterproof/oil-proof finishing (although the effect is slightly inferior, but more environmentally friendly).

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