Textile Softener

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Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
Softeners have gained Great importan........................................................................................... 2
Features of the softening agent chemistry: .................................................................................... 2
Reasons for using softener:........................................................................................................... 2
Softening agent additives:............................................................................................................. 3
Desirable properties of textile softeners: ....................................................................................... 4
Classification of textile softeners according to their ionogenity: ...................................................... 4
Softener additives:........................................................................................................................ 4
The Past of textile softener:.......................................................................................................... 5
The Future of textile Softener:....................................................................................................... 5
Raw Materials:............................................................................................................................. 6
The Manufacturing Process:.......................................................................................................... 7
Quality Control............................................................................................................................. 8
Mechanisms of Softening Effect: ...................................................................................................9
Cationic softener:....................................................................................................................... 12
Anionic softener:........................................................................................................................ 13
Non-ionic Softeners:................................................................................................................... 14
Silicone softeners: ...................................................................................................................... 16
Amphoteric softeners:................................................................................................................. 18
Reactive Softener:...................................................................................................................... 18
Using of softener in textile sector:............................................................................................... 19
Amount of using chemicals:......................................................................................................... 20
Formula used for calculation of softener:..................................................................................... 20
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................ 21
Reference:................................................................................................................................. 21

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Introduction
Softeners have gained Great importance in textile finishing; almost no piece of
textile leaves the production facilities almost no piece of textile leaves the production facilities
without being treated with a softener. This softening treatment is to give the textiles the desired
handle, make further processing easier and improve the handling properties. A nice, soft handle
is often the decisive criterion for buying a textile and is therefore of most vital importance for
marketing many textiles. A Softener's main purpose is to improve the aesthetic properties of
textiles
 It gives the fabric the desired handle; usually with imaginative descriptions such as soft,
full super soft, smooth, elastic, firm, dry, sludgy etc.
 It positively influences the technological properties such as antistatic, hydrophilic
properties, elasticity, sewability, abrasion resistance etc.
 It gives synthetic fibers a certain degree of natural feeling and improves the handling
properties through secondary effects (antistatic, smoothness, moisture regulation etc.).
Softening agents are also processing aids for rising, Sulfurizing, sewing or re-winding yarns
which cannot be overlooked or are absolutely necessary for further processing. A fully developed
product which complies with the demands the market calls for, must also fulfill many
characteristics It goes without saying that one or two products cannot cover all these demands.
Compromises must be made or and this is surely the better solution optimized products for each
field of application must be chosen. This explains the large selection of textile softening agents
found on the market.
Features of the softening agent chemistry:
Textile softeners are usually marketed as water emulsions with a solid content between 15 and
25%. Besides the additives, a marketable product also contains non-ionic emulsifiers or at least
non-ionic dispersing agents to achieve a good chemical stability (salt stability). To optimize the
product properties, the softeners also normally contain other special additives.
Reasons for using softener:
•As the textile material goes under various mechanical and chemical processes that make the
surface of the material harsh. For example: Removal of natural oil and waxes by scouring and
bleaching.
•Resin finishing of textile material also imparts some degree of harshness. Soaping of textile
material also add harsh feeling to the material.
•As consumers are much more caring about the touch of textile material. This is also reason for
using softener.

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Softening agent additives:
Textile softening agents are classified according to their ionic character. With a few exceptions,
they mainly consist of fatty acid amine condensation products 1, 2,3,41. Hardened tallow fatty
acids which contain equal parts of stein and palmitine acid, are normally used as fatty acids.
Technical oil acids may be used in special cases. Depending on the kind of amines and the
applied quantities of fatty acids, either non-ionic or cationic and the applied quantities of fatty
acids, either non-ionic or cationic substances result, whereas quaternary compounds of fatty acid
amine condensates can be achieved through a further synthase step (quaternerization).
Amphoteric compounds are often achieved through conversion of suitable fatty acid Imine
condensates with sodium chlorine acetate. Anionic compounds lave a special status here: they
are normally produced through sulphatization or phosphatization of fatty compounds.
Through the introduction of silicone chemistry for textile finishing, functional polysiloxanes
have their firm place in the finishing agent range. All silicones are based on an alternating Si-0-
polymer structure. On the one hand the oil viscosity differs and therefore in the medium
molecular weight and on the other hand through different functional side groups in the polymers.
The amino functional polysiloxanes have become the most important product group within the
textile softening agents.
Fig: Simple formula examples for active substances of softeners

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Desirable properties oftextile softeners:
 Easy handling (liquid, pumpable, stable dilution)
 Good compatibility to chemicals, easy to combine
 Stable to high temperatures, not volatile by water vapor
 No yellowing
 No effect on fastness
 No color shade changes
 Low foaming, stable to shearing, no deposits on rollers
 Regular and complete bath exhaust
 Not toxic, not caustic, not corrosive
 Easily biodegradable
 Dermatologically harmless
 No restriction for transport and storing (flash point).
Classificationoftextile softeners according to their ionogenity:
Softener additives:
Products based on pure fatty acid amine condensates are being used less and less in daily work.
Modern softener agents contain special additives besides emulsified fatty acid amine condensates
which allow for much better effects and a much broader application field.
Fatty acid esters (e.g. glycerin ester) or waxes (e.g. carnauba wax) are often applied as additives.
Paraffin’s are well known for their application in smoothening agents. Very interesting are
paraffin’s with a carbon chain length of C24 to C32.Paraffins with a shorter C-chain vaporizes
rapidly, whereas those with longer chains can be converted to usable emulsions only under only
under pressure. The substance classes of polyethylene are a further additive worth mentioning.
Mainly secondary emulsions of oxidized polyethylene waxes are used here.
Ionic activity Electric charge
Anionic negative
Cationic At acid pH's very positive
Nonionic No charge
Silicone softeners At acid PH slightly positive
Reactive Positive no matter of PH
Amphoteric Dependent on PH slightly negative to
slightly positive

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Fig: Simple formula examples for softener additives
The Past of textile softener:
•The first fabric softeners were developed by the textile industry during the early twentieth
century. At that time the process that was used to dye cotton fibers left them feeling harsh.
•In the early 1900s, preparations known as cotton softeners were developed to improve the feel
of these fibers after dyeing. A typical cotton softener consisted of seven parts water, three parts
soap, and one part olive, corn, or tallow oil.
•By the 1960s several major marketers, including Procter and Gamble, had begun selling liquid
fabric softener compositions for home use.
•In the late 1970s manufacturers found a way to deliver fabric softening benefits in a dryer sheet
format.
•In the 1990s, environmentally minded manufacturers began test marketing ultra-concentrated
formulations.
•By the end of the 1990s, annual sales of liquid fabric softeners in the United States reached
approximately $700 million (in supermarkets, drug stores, and mass merchandisers). For the sake
of comparison, about $400 million worth of dryer sheets are sold each year.
The Future of textile Softener:
There are two formula related areas that will affect the future of fabric softeners. The first is the
impact the ultra-concentrates will have on the market. At the time of this writing it is too soon to

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tell if they will be accepted by consumers. The second area is related to the role that multi-
functionality will play in the future. As chemists develop new more efficacious ingredients there
is more potential for additional consumer-perceivable benefits. At the turn of the millennium,
multifunctional fabric softener formulations are the latest trend. These new products not only
soften clothes but also improve the ease of ironing, reduce wrinkling in the dryer, and provide
stain protection. Both Lever Brothers and Procter and Gamble have capitalized on this trend with
new formulations that deliver multiple fabric care benefits.
Finally, manufacturers may turn to new delivery forms to make softeners easier to use. One new
method introduced by P&G in the late 1990s is the "Downy Ball." This is a reusable plastic
tennis ball sized sphere that is filled with liquid Downy and added to the washer at the beginning
of the cycle. The ball stays sealed during washing but the spinning of the rinse cycle triggers it to
open and release the softener. For consumer who does not have an automatic softener dispenser
on their washing machines, the "Downy Ball" saves them from the trouble of adding the liquid in
a separate step. Other innovative dispensing devices like this may become more common as
manufacturers strive to differentiate their products from the competition.
RawMaterials:
Conditioning agents: Early fabric softener formulas were relatively simple dispersions of fatty
materials that would deposit on the fabric fibers after washing. One of the most common
ingredients used was dehydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DHTDMAC), which
belongs to a class of materials known as quaternary ammonium compounds, or quits. This kind
of ingredient is useful because part of the molecule has a positive charge that attracts and binds it
to negatively charged fabric fibers. This charge interaction also helps disperse the electrical
forces that are responsible for static cling. The other part of the molecule is fatty in nature and it
provides the slip and lubricity that makes the fabric feel soft.
While these quits do soften fabrics very effectively, they also can make them less absorbent. This
is a problem for certain laundry items such as towels and diapers. To overcome this problem,
modern formulations use quits in combination with other more effective ingredients. These
newer compounds have somewhat lower substantively to fabric which makes them less likely to
interfere with water absorption.
One of the new classes of materials employed in fabric softener formulations today is poly di
methyl siloxane (PDMS). Siloxane is a silicone based fluid that has the ability to lubricate fibers
to give improved softening and ease of ironing. Other silicones used in softeners include amine-
functional silicones, amide-functional silicones and silicone gums. These silicone derivatives are
modified to be more substantive to fabric and can dramatically improve its feel.

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Emulsifiers: The conditioning ingredients used in fabric softeners are not typically soluble in
water because of their oily nature. Therefore, another type of chemical, known as an emulsifier,
must be added to the formula to form a stable mixture. Without emulsifiers the softener liquid
would separate into two phases, much like an oil and vinegar salad dressing does.
There are three types of emulsifiers used in fabric softener formulations: micro-emulsions,
macro-emulsions, and emulsion polymers. Macro-emulsions are creamy dispersions of oil and
water similar to hand lotions or hair conditioners. The emulsifier molecules surround the
hydrophobic oil or silicone droplets and allow them to be dispersed in water. A micro-emulsion
is chemically similar, but it creates oil particles that are so small that light will pass around them.
Therefore, a micro-emulsion is characterized by its clarity and transparency as opposed to being
milky white. Furthermore, one of the advantages of micro-emulsion is that the silicone particles
are so tiny that they will actually penetrate into the fibers, while macro-emulsions only deposit
on the fiber's surface. The third type, emulsion polymers, creates dispersions that look similar to
a macro-emulsion. This system does not use true emulsifiers to suspend and dissolve the oil
phase. Instead, emulsion polymers create a stabilized web of molecules that suspend the tiny
silicone droplets like fish caught in a net.
The emulsifying system used in softeners must be chosen carefully to ensure the appropriate
level of deposition on the fabric. A blend of non-ionic emulsifiers (those that have no charge)
and cationic emulsifiers (those that have a positive charge) are typically used. Anionic
surfactants (which have a negative charge) are rarely used because the fabric conditioning agents
have a positive charge which would tend to destabilize an anionic emulsion.
Other ingredients: In addition to conditioning agents and emulsifiers, fabric softeners contain
other ingredients to improve their aesthetic appeal and to ensure the product will be shelf stable.
For example, fragrance and color are added to make the product more pleasing to consumers. In
addition, emulsion stabilizers and preservatives are used to ensure the product quality.
The Manufacturing Process:
1. The preferred method for manufacturing liquid softeners involves heating the ingredients
together in one large mixing vessel. Mixing tanks should be constructed from high grade
stainless steel to prevent attack from the corrosive agents in the formula. The tank is
typically equipped with a jacketed shell that allows steam and cold water to be circulated,
so the temperature of the batch can be easily controlled. In addition the tank is fitted with
a propeller type mixer that is driven by a large electric motor. This kind of mixing blade
provides the high shear that is needed to properly disperse the ingredients.
The first step in the manufacturing process is to fill the tank with the specified amount of
water. Water is added first because it acts as a carrier for all the other ingredients.
Deionized water is used because it is free from metal ions that can affect the performance
of the batch. Conventional formulations can contain as much as 80-90% water.

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2. Once the water has been added to the tank, heating and mixing is initiated. When the
water has reached the appropriate temperature, the emulsifiers are added. Since these
chemicals tend to be waxy solid materials they are added at relatively high temperatures
(between 158-176TF [70-80°C]). While the order of addition depends on the specific
formula, it usually more effective to disperse the emulsifiers prior to adding the less
water-soluble materials. Emulsifiers are used between 1-10%, depending on the specific
chemicals that are selected.
3. The conditioning ingredients used in softeners are not typically water soluble, so they are
added to the water phase after the emulsifiers. For a typical strength formulation about
5% is used. For more concentrated formulations, levels of 10% are more common. When
blends of quits and silicones are used, the silicones are used at levels as low as 0.5-1.5%.
4. When pre-emulsified silicones are used in the formula they are added late in the process
when the temperature is lower and there is less mechanical agitation in the batch. If
higher molecular weight silicones are used that have not been pre-emulsified they must
be added to the batch at high temperatures with a high level of agitation to ensure the
silicone oil droplets are evenly dispersed.
5. Heating and mixing continues until the batch is homogeneous. At this point cool water is
circulated around the tank to lower the temperature. As the batch cools, the remaining
ingredients, such as preservatives, dyes, and fragrance, are added. These ingredients are
used at much lower concentrations, typically below no more than a few percent for
fragrance and less than 1% for preservatives and dyes. When the batch is complete, a
sample is sent to the analytical chemistry lab to ensure it meets quality control standards
for solids, pH, and viscosity. The completed batch may be pumped to a filling line or
stored in tanks until it is ready to be filled.
6. When the product is ready to be filled into the package, it is transferred to an automated
filling line. Plastic bottles are fed onto a conveyor belt that carries them under a filling
nozzle. At the filling head there is a large hopper that holds the formulation and
discharges a controlled amount, usually set by volume, into the bottle. The filled package
continues down the conveyor line to a capping machine that applies the closure and
tightens it. Finally, the filled bottles are packed in cartons and stacked pallets for
shipping.
Quality Control
The finished fabric softer formulations are tested using a number of different protocols. Simple
laboratory tests are used to determine basic properties such as pH, viscosity, and percent solids.
These tests can help confirm that the correct ingredients were added at the appropriate levels.
Other, more rigorous, tests are done to ensure the formulation is functioning correctly. One such
evaluation is a water absorbency test, sometimes called the Drays Wetting Test. This procedure
involves dropping small pieces of treated fabric onto water and recording the length of time
required for the fabric to sink. This measurement is taken 10 times to obtain an average result.
Anti-wrinkle properties can be evaluated by asking panelists to rate samples of fabric before they
have been ironed. They are asked to numerically rate the amount of wrinkling between the test

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sample and the fabric softener treated sample. The test to measure ease of ironing is also done
using trained panelists.
These tests are performed on swatches of identical fabrics with the only difference being that one
fabric has been treated with softener and the other has been washed in detergent only. 100%
cotton pillowcases are used for wrinkling and ironing tests while 100% cotton terry towels are
used for evaluating softness and water absorbency. The swatches are dried in a controlled
environment at 71.6°F (22°C) and 65% relative humidity for 24 hours before testing.
Mechanisms ofSoftening Effect:
 Softeners provide their main effects on the surface of the fibers.
 Softeners orient themselves toward the fiber creating a new surface consisting of
molecular chains that provide the characteristic softening and lubricity.
 Small softener molecules penetrate the fiber and provide plasticisation of fiber forming
polymer
 The physical arrangement of the usual softener molecules on the fiber surface is
important and shown in Fig.
 It depends on the ionic nature of the softener molecule
 And the relative hydrophobicity of the fibre surface.

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Cationic softeners effect:
• Orient themselves with their positively charged ends toward
– The partially negatively charged fibre (zeta potential),
– creating a new surface of hydrophobic
• Carbon chains that provide the characteristic excellent softening and lubricity seen
– With cationic softeners.

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Anionic softeners effect:
• Orient themselves with their negatively charged ends
– Repelled away from the negatively charged fibre surface.
• This leads to higher hydrophobicity,
– but less softening than with cationic softeners
(b)
Non-ionic softeners effect:
• The orientation of non-ionic softeners depends on the
– nature of the fiber surface,
• with the hydrophilic portion of the softener being attracted to
– Hydrophilic surfaces
• and the hydrophobic portion being attracted to
– Hydrophobic surfaces.
(C) (d)

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Cationic softener:
Cationic softeners are organic softeners that provide a soft, soapy, voluminous surface and
smooth handle for textile substrates. Resin gives you the option of engineered cationic softeners,
which cater to special requirements, such as water retaining properties on a terry towel. Our
cationic softeners are made available in liquid, semi-solid and solid flakes, depending on the
requirements.
Properties of Cationic Softener: The properties of cationic softeners are given below. They are-
1. Cationic softeners are widely used on cellulose materials.
2. It has enough affinity and substantively towards cellulosic fibers.
3. Its PH is lies between 5-6.
4. Cationic agents become unstable to alkaline media.
5. It is soluble in water.
6. Cationic salts present in hard water react with softener forming precipitation.
7. Chemically cationic softener is sap amines, amido amines, imidazoline and quaternary
ammonium compounds.
Preparation of Softener Solution: Softener solution is made by following way.
1. At first, take required softener.
2. Then, take required amount of water at 700C.
3. After that, softener and water is mixed by stirring.
4. Finally, acetic acid is added in the solution.
Methods of Application: Softener is applied on fabric by the following two ways.
1. Pad-dry-calendar: In this method, 20 -25 g/l softener are taken where PH level is 4 – 5.
Then, fabric is impregnate in to water and the pickup % is 70 – 80. Then fabric is dried at
1200 – 1400C for 2 – 3 minutes.
2. Exhaust Methods (Jigger or winch): In this method, following parameters are
maintained. It is a sample recipe.
Americos AC 1000: 1 – 2% (owf)
Material: Liquo : 1: 10
Temperature: 450 – 500 C
PH : 4 – 5
Time: 20 – 30 minutes

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Cationic Softener: Advantages and disadvantages of
cationic softener are given below.
Advantages of Cationic Softener:
 Cationic softener increases lubricity of yarn.
 It minimizes the loss in physical property on resin finished goods.
 Permanent finish is done by cationic softener.
 It can be used as antistatic agent for loose fiber.
 Soft, lofty, silky handle to most fabrics at low levels of add-on
 Substantive to most fibers
 Good lubricant properties and often have positive effect on wet fastness
 Improve tear strength, abrasion resistance and suability
 Improve antistatic properties ( especially on synthetics)
Disadvantages of Cationic Softener:
 Cationic softener gets precipitated when with anionic compounds.
 It is not compatible with other additives.
 Incompatible with anionic auxiliaries including FBA's
 Free amine causes yellowing and may change dye shade or affect light fastness
 May react with residual chlorine from bleach baths
 Adversely affect soil removal properties,
 Can cause tendering of sculpture dyed fabrics.
So, when you will choose cationic softener, you should remind the properties of cationic softener
as well as the advantages and disadvantages of cationic softener.
Anionic softener:
Anionic softeners are produced by the condensation of fatty acids. They have good
characteristics as lubricating softening agents and give the fabric a full hand. They are unstable
in hard water and acid environment. Anionic finishing agents have negatively charged
hydrophilic group. The cellulose acquires negative charge when wetted out and attracts the
positively charged hydrophobic group, with hydrophilic group orienting away from the fiber
surface.
Anionic softener is not so used as cationic softener. Anionic softener is applied on cellulosic and
its blend textile materials.
Properties of Anionic Softener: Properties of anionic softener are given below.
 Anionic softener is applied on cellulose and its blend.

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 Anionic softener is not permanent and not fast to repeated washing.
 It is not stable in hard water.
 It has not enough affinity to cellulose.
 Examples of anionic softener is oil, fat, wax, soap, sulphated and sulphonated oils and
sulphated fatty alcohol.
Methods of Application: Anionic softener is applied on the fabric by the following way.
1. Fad – dry – calender
2. Exhaust Method (Jigger / Winch)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Anionic Softener: The advantages and disadvantages of
anionic softener are given below.
Advantages of Anionic Softener:
 Anionic softener is compatible with direct dyes, optical brightener, starch, resigns etc.
 Good rewetting properties
 Good stability towards heat
 Less yellowing
 Good for lubricating yarns

Disadvantages of Anionic Softener:
1. Anionic softener gives temporary finish on the textile materials.
2. It gives poor softness.
3. Because of less substantively, wastages become high.
Uses of Anionic Softener: Anionic softener is used in the following cases.
 Anionic softener is used to modify the softness of resin treated fabrics.
 Anionic softener is used as the lubricant for fiber during carding and drawing in spinning.
Anionic softener has lots of limitation for this reason its application area is smaller than cationic
softener or nonionic softener.
Non-ionic Softeners:
Americos Neutrasoft NCM is a cationic softener which is not diluted from the flakes or cake but
formulatedtoachieve limpandelastomericfinish.Itcanbe used for cotton, polyester/cotton fabrics. It
has a verygood handfeelingandanti-staticproperties.Becauseof itslow-yellowingspecificcharacter,it
is very suitable for garment processing of blue and white jeans.

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Properties of Nonionic Softener: The Properties of nonionic softener are given below.
 Nonionic softener is applied to synthetic fibers and their blends.
 It is fairly soluble in water.
 Its color is like creamy paste.
 Hot water should not use during the application of nonionic softener.
 Acetic acid is added to cold water before adding the softener.
 Nonionic softener is chemically fatty acid, ethylene oxide condensates etc.
Methods of Application: Nonionic softener is used on fiber by the following way.
1. Pad – dry – calender method
2. Exhaust Method
Advantages and Disadvantages of Nonionic Softener: The advantages and disadvantages of
nonionic softener are given below.
Advantages of Nonionic Softener:
1. Nonionic softener is compatible with cationic, anionic agents, starch and resin.
2. It does not create yellowish problems.
3. It is applicable for all types of fibers.
4. Nonionic softener can be applied in both exhaust and padding processes.
5. It is compatible with silicon and cationic products used in finishing formulation.
6. It does not influence on dyeing fastness.
7. When treated fibers are heated it does not become yellow.
8. Nonionic softener does not influence dye fastness.
9. It does not irritate human skin.
10. It provides bulky and heavy feel.
11. It keeps fabric low yellowing.
Disadvantages of Nonionic Softener:
1. Nonionic softener gives temporary soft feel.
2. It is comparatively costly than other softener.
3. Not easily soluble in water.
Storage & handlingprecautions:
 Store in cool place
 Avoidstoringindirectsunlight.
 It shouldbe storedat ambient temperatures.
 The shelf life of AmericosNeutrasoftNCMisone year.
 The usual precautioninkeepingchemicalsawayfromeyesandskinshouldbe observed.

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Technical Service:
Informationcoveringspecificapplicationof thisproductisavailable.Americas Industrieswill workwith
customerstoenhance processesandsolve problems.Letusknow whatyouneedandwe will assistyou.
So, when you will choose the softener, you have to consider the effect of that’s softener to the
textile materials.
Silicone softeners:
Silicones are macromolecules comprised of a polymer backbone of alternating Silicon and
Oxygen atoms with organic groups attached to silicon. Silicone’s softening capability comes
from the siloxane backbone’s flexibility and its freedom of rotation along the Si-O bonds.
They are insoluble in water, and therefore must be applied on fabrics after emulsification or
dissolution in organic solvents. They feature quite good fastness to washing. They create a
lubricating and moderately waterproof film on the surface and give fabrics a silky hand.
It provides:
 very high softness,
 special unique hand,
 high lubricity,
 good sewability,
 Elastic resilience, crease recovery, abrasion resistance and tear strength.
It shows:
 good temperature stability
 and durability, with a high degree of permanence
 for those products that form cross-linked films
 and a range of properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic
In textile finishing, silicones are also used as
 water repellents,
 elastomeric finishes,
 coatings
 And as defamers

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Silicone softeners on polar fibers:
• These bonds act as an anchor for the silicone, which forms an evenly distributed film on
the fiber surface.
• Good water repellency and very soft hand are the result.
• 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 softeners 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 (Fig. 3.7, lower
figure).
• The positively charged amino side groups of the silicone chains repel each other and give
rise to enhanced flexibility of the silicone chain loops.
• This again is the reason for the especially soft hand of amino functional silicones on non-
polar fibers.
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 goods

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 Non-yellowing at moderate temperatures.
Disadvantages
 Create water-repellency of some type, making them unsuitable when absorbency is
required
 Cannot easily be removed for re dyeing
 Expensive
Amphoteric softeners:
Typical properties are good softening effects, low permanence to washing and high antistatic
effects. They have fewer ecological problems than similar cationic products. Examples are
beanie and the amine oxide type.
Properties of Amphoteric Softener:
These molecules consist of one or longer alkyl chains attached to polar molecules which contains
both anionic and cationic groups. Their nature depends on PH.
Neutral PH: No ionic
Lower PH: Cationic
Higher PH: Anionic
Reactive Softener:
The Reactive Softener is used for providing softening texture to the fabrics. Formulated using
graded fatty acid amide and amine derivatives with surfactants, these softeners get easily
dispersed in hot and cold water. This non-ionic softener is highly compatible with anionic and
cationic finishing agents and provides immaculate softening results to textile industry.
Properties of Reactive Softener: The properties of reactive softener are given below.
 Reactive softener can be applying on all types of fibers.
 Reactive softener reacts with –OH group of cellulose and form covalent bond and gives
permanent finish.
 Its washing fastness is good.
 It is soluble in water.
 After application, it needs to cure.

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Methods of application: Pad – dry- calendar method is used to apply the reactive softener. This
could be done as the follow. It is a sample application parameter.
Reactive softener : 25 – 30 g/l
Temperature : 900C
Curing : 1400 – 1500 C
Time : 4 – 5 minutes
Advantages and Disadvantages of Reactive Softener: Advantages and disadvantages of reactive
softener are given below.
Advantages of Reactive Softener:
1. The softening effect of reactive softener is durable.
2. It does not cause yellowing problem.
3. In case of resin finished fabrics, it minimizes the loss in tensile strength, tear strength and
abrasion resistance.
4. Application is easy.
Disadvantages of Reactive Softener:
 The reactive softener is comparatively costly than other softener.
So, from the above, we see that, reactive softener is reliable to apply to all kinds of fibers but it is
more costly than other softening agents.
Using of softener in textile sector:
 Before unloading the fabrics, softener is used all types of fabrics in last process to soft the
fabrics. Mainly cationic softener is used but sometimes another softener is used. When
we need to change the shade then cationic softener is use and when it is no need to
chance the shade only need to soft the fabrics then non-ionic softener is use.
 If different types of softeners are used in color shade but only non-ionic softener is used
for white shade.
 Sometime white shade is bright then cationic softener is use.
 For open fabric Softener is use in the chemicals tank of stented machine in this process
mixture is use of cationic softener and silicon softener. if we need yellowish shade then
we more use silicon softener. But we need changing the shade then we use more cationic
softener.

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Amount of using chemicals:
Dyeing machine:
Silicon softener 1gm/liter
Cationic softener (.5-1)gm/ liter
Stenter machine:
Silicon softener 50gm/liter
Cationic softener 15gm/liter
Squeezer machine:
Silicon softener 40gm/liter
Cationic softener 20gm/liter
Formulaused for calculationofsoftener:
For dyeing machine:
Softener = Gm/liter *minimum liquor of m/c / 1000 kg
For stenter &squeezer m/c:
Total liquor = fabrics weight * take up %
Amount of softener = (gm/liter * total liquor) gm
Or
Softener = (fabrics weight * take up % *gm/liter) gm
Amount of take up%
For stenter m/c
By the take up % we mean that, it is the ability of fabrics to absorbed the water/ chemicals from
chemicals tank. After slitting of the fabrics (30-40) % water are squeeze. For this reason take up
% of stenter machine are let 40%. Mainly take up % depend on the padder passer of sitting
machine. If padder passer squeezes 30% of water from fabric then take up % should be let 30%.
Amount o take up %:
For dry fabrics (30-40) %
For wet fabrics 100 %
For squeezer m/c
In the squeezer machine after first padder the 20 % water are squeeze from fabrics and 30%
water are squeeze from fabrics by the back padder. For this reason take up % of squeezer
machine are let (15-20) %. In this machine mainly take up % depend on the front padder passer
and back padder passer of sitting machine.
Amount to take up %:
For wet fabrics (15-20) %
For dry fabrics 100 %

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Conclusion:
Textile softening agents are of great importance for textile finishing and textile care. The
continued development of procedure technique with new machines, fabrics and fibers the fast
moving trends as well as the higher demands for quality, comfort and ecology by the consumers
will in the future also playa imp octant part for innovative products in the field of textile
softeners.
Reference:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700061/
2. https://www.academia.edu/6382898/Synthesis_and_Application_of_Cationic_Softeners
3. http://www.slideshare.net/88azmir/a-softener-character
4. http://www.google.com/patents/US8242071
5. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Fabric-Softener.html
6. http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2012/03/textile-softening-fabric-softening.html
7. http://www.lewa.com/en/applications/fabric-softeners/
THANK YOU