An Overview of Silicone Softener

Introductions
Silicones are macromolecules comprised of a polymer backbone of alternating
silicone and oxygen atoms with organic groups attached to silicone. Silicones
capability comes from the siloxane backbones flexibility and its freedom of
rotation along the Si-O bonds.

Geometric molecular structure of silicones

The Development history of Silicone Softener

There are four generations of silicone softener so far, the first one is
Non-reactive silicone oil,the second one is Amino modified silicone oil, the third
one is polyether modified silicone oil and the last one is linear(AB)n block
copolymers.

There are some disadvantages from the first to the third generation of silicone
softener, such as single function and demulsification & oil floating for the first
one, easily yellowing and oil spots for the second one, mediocre hand feel and
non-ideal washability for the third one.

The last generation has been improved and perfected according to the former
generations. Therefore, they have better properties in textile application,
besides as softeners, they are also used as water-repellents, elastomeric
finishing agents,c oatings and defoamers.

It provides:
Very high softness;
Special unique hand;
High lubricity;
Good sewability;
Elastic resilience,crease recovery,abrasion resistance and tear strength.

When finished on textile,it shows:

Good temperature stability;
Durability,with a high degree of permanence;
For those products that form cross-linked films;
A range of properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic.
Applications
Silicone Softener on polar fibers:
These bonds act as an anchor for the silicone,which forms an evenly
distributed films on the fiber surface.
Good water repellency and very soft hand.
With an optimal content of amino side groups, the polysiloxane segments
between the anchor sites are long enough to maintain their high flexibility.
This is the main reason for the softness and the lubricating effect of amino
functional silicones on polar fibers.

Silicone Softener on non-polar fibers:

In the case of relatively non-polar fibers such as polyester,the hydrophobic
segments of the silicone chains interact strongly with the hydrophobic fiber
surface.
The positively changed amino side groups of the silicone chains repel
each other and give rise to enhanced flexibility of the silicone chain loops.
This again in the reason for the especially soft hand of amino functional
silicones on non-polar fibers.

Advantages and disadvantages of silicone softeners are as followed:

Advantages:
Silky handle on all fibers
 Water-clear oils,stable to heat and light
Improve tear strength,abrasion resistance,and excellent for improving
sewing properties
Amino-functional silicones improve durable press performance of cotton
fabrics
Non-yellowing at a moderate temperature

Disadvantages:
Create water-repellency of some type, making them unsuitable when
absorbency is required.
Cannot easily be removed for redying
Expensive

Textile Auxiliaries Devision of RUISIL

Author: Jeffrey Zhou
2017.08.07