JP2001279581A - Fabric softening composition - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a composition free from problems of yellowing and skin irritancy and enabling textile products treated therewith to be imparted with good softness and feeling such as skin touch and water-absorbing tendency. SOLUTION: This fabric softening composition is characterized by being formulated with a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane shown by the average structural formula (1) (wherein, P is a polyoxyalkylene group; R1 is H, OH, a 1-5C univalent hydrocarbon group or alkoxy, >=90 mol% of all R1 is methyl; R2 is the same as R1 or P; (x) is 150-2,000; and (y) is 1-50) and containing <50 wt.% of the polyoxyalkylene chain fraction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composition for softening a fabric, and more particularly to a composition for softening a fabric, which imparts excellent flexibility and water absorption to the fabric and has little skin irritation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Clothes and textiles are washed, worn, used, washed and dried repeatedly, and the fiber treatment agent is washed away, or the texture, such as the softness, bulkiness, and firmness, inherent to the fibers, is possessed. Since the texture is reduced by being damaged or by increasing the frictional force between the fibers to promote the damage, a softening agent is conventionally used to prevent this. As a softening agent used at home, a softening agent used at the time of rinsing after washing is generally used,
As such a soft finish, an aqueous composition mainly composed of an organic soft base material such as a quaternary ammonium salt having two long-chain alkyl groups in one molecule or various amines or polymer compounds is used. Are known. On the other hand, when the organopolysiloxane compound is adsorbed on the fiber, the friction between the fiber and the fiber surface is reduced, so that excellent flexibility, smoothness, smoothness, good touch, silky feel, softness, Gives good texture such as elasticity, non-oiliness during drying, antistatic property, anti-wrinkle property, etc. In addition, reduction of rewetting time, prevention of shrinkage, removal of wrinkles, prevention of settling, prevention of stiffness, drying time It has been used as a base material of a softening agent, or used in combination with various organic soft base materials, because it has effects such as shortening of ironing and facilitation of ironing. However, when a non-hydrophilic polysiloxane represented by polydimethylsiloxane is used, it is difficult to mix in an aqueous composition because of poor water dispersibility, has poor water absorption, and is difficult to be adsorbed to fibers. There is a problem that the flexibility-imparting effect is low, and when a polysiloxane having a nitrogen atom such as an amino group or an amide group is used, the fibers may turn yellow, the slimy feeling may be too strong, or the skin may be irritating. There were some problems. When an organically modified polysiloxane such as an alkyl-modified polysiloxane, an epoxy-modified polysiloxane, and a carboxy-modified polysiloxane is used, there is a problem that water absorption and flexibility are insufficient and a good hand cannot be obtained. As the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane, a copolymer having a low degree of polymerization of about 100 dimethylsiloxane units is conventionally used. In this case, although the water absorption is good, the flexibility is low. However, there was a problem that the texture was insufficient and an excellent texture could not be obtained. Further, a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane having a long-chain alkyl group having 6 or more carbon atoms is also known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-162878). However, fibers treated with such a polysiloxane are hydrophilic. However, there were drawbacks such as a low texture and a rough texture.

[0003]

The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems. As a result, by using a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane having a high degree of polymerization, an excellent texture can be imparted to various fibers. They have found that they can be applied, and have reached the present invention. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a composition for softening a fabric which can impart a texture and a water absorbing property such as excellent softness and feel to textiles without problems of skin irritation and yellowing. is there.

[0004]

The present invention provides an average structural formula (1):

Embedded image Wherein, P is the formula _{^{:-( R 3) c O (C}} 2 H 4 O) a (C 3 H 6 O) b R 4
{R ³ is an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ⁴
Is a hydrogen atom, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a formula:
—OCR ⁵ or —COOR ⁵ (R ⁵ is 1 to 6 carbon atoms)
Is a monovalent hydrocarbon group. ). a and b are each a number from 0 to 50, and (a +
b) is 1 or more, and c is 0 or 1. Wherein R ¹ is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group;
90 mol% or more of ¹ is a methyl group, R ² is R ¹ above
Or a group represented by P. x is a number from 150 to 2000, and y is a number from 1 to 50. And a weight ratio of the polyoxyalkylene chain portion is less than 50% of the total weight of the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane represented by the above average structural formula (1) used in the composition of the present invention, P has the formula:-(R ³ ) _c O (C ₂ H ₄ O) ) _a (C ₃
H ₆ O) _b R ⁴ . In the formula, R ³ is an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an ethylene group, a propylene group, and a butylene group. Of these, a propylene group is preferable. R ⁴ is a hydrogen atom, having 1 carbon atom
To 6 monovalent hydrocarbon groups, formula: —OCR ⁵ or —COO
R ⁵ (R ⁵ is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, and an isopropyl group), such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a propyl group. Aryl group such as alkyl group and phenyl group, alkenyl group such as vinyl group, allyl group and hexenyl group, formula: -OCCH
_3, the formula: is -COOCH groups represented by ₃ are illustrated, it is preferable among these is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group also. a and b are each a number from 0 to 50, and (a + b) is 1 or more, and it is preferable that a is in the range of 5 to 40 and b is in the range of 0 to 30. Further, the ratio of oxyethylene groups in the polyoxyalkylene chain is preferably in the range of a / (a + b) = 0.4 to 1.0. c is 0 or 1, usually 1. However, a small amount of a polyoxyalkylene chain in which c is 0 and R ⁴ is an alkenyl group may be present. still,
The polyoxyalkylene chains in one molecule may be the same or different. R ¹ is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group. Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon group include an alkyl group such as a methyl group, an ethyl group and a propyl group; a vinyl group; In addition to an unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group such as an alkenyl group such as an allyl group, an amino group, a carboxyl group, an epoxy group, and the like,
And 5 alkyl groups. Examples of the alkoxy group include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, and an isopropoxy group. However, more than 90 mole% of the total R ¹ is required to be methyl group, it is preferable that all of R ¹ is a methyl group. R ² is a group represented by R ¹ or a polyoxyalkylene chain represented by P, and among them, a methyl group is preferable. x is a number from 150 to 2000;
000 is preferable, 420-2000 is more preferable, and 450-1000 is more preferable. y is a number from 1 to 50, and preferably ranges from 5 to 20. In the above average structural formula (1),
The weight ratio of the polyoxyalkylene chain represented by P is 5% of the total weight of the polyoxyalkylene-modified siloxane.
It is less than 0% and preferably in the range of 25 to 40%. This is because if it is less than 50%, appropriate hydrophilicity can be obtained. The viscosity at 25 ° C. of the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane is preferably not less than 3000 mm ² / s, more preferably not less than 5000 mm ² / s.

The polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane represented by the above average structural formula (1) includes, for example, a linear polysiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom and a structural formula: CH ₂ ＣＨCH (CH ₂ ) _n O (C ₂ H ₄
O) _a (C ₃ H ₆ O) _b R ⁴ (where n is an integer of 0 to 8,
R ⁴ , a and b are the same as described above. The alkenyl group-containing polyether compound represented by the formula (1) can be produced by using a transition metal compound represented by platinum as a catalyst without a solvent or in a solvent. The linear polysiloxane having a silicon-bonded hydrogen atom used herein is obtained by converting a cyclic or chain silicon-bonded hydrogen-containing siloxane and a cyclic dimethylsiloxane into a solid acidic catalyst such as activated clay, hydrochloric acid, It can be produced by a known method using an acidic compound such as sulfuric acid, trifluoroacetic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a catalyst. Alkenyl group-containing polyether compounds having various structures are commercially available and can be easily obtained. As the polyether compound, a mixture of two or more kinds having different structures may be used. As the solvent used in the reaction, ethanol, isopropanol and a mixture of these with toluene are preferred. The molar ratio of the alkenyl group in the polyether compound to the silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in the polysiloxane is usually in the range of 0.7 to 3.0, preferably in the range of 0.9 to 2.0.

The polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane represented by the average structural formula (1) is exemplified by a siloxane represented by the following formula.

Embedded image

Embedded image

Such a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane has a long side chain polyoxyalkylene chain,
The higher the degree of polymerization of the polysiloxane main chain, the higher the viscosity.Therefore, in order to improve the workability during production and facilitate the incorporation into an aqueous composition, the polysiloxane is preferably used after being dissolved in various organic solvents or water. Is preferred. Examples of the organic solvent used include ethanol, dipropylene glycol, and butyl carbitol. It is also possible to emulsify in water using a surfactant before use. Since the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane used in the composition of the present invention is more hydrophilic than polydimethylsiloxane, it has an advantage that it can be more easily dissolved and emulsified than polydimethylsiloxane. The amount of the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane is usually 0.0%.
The amount is 5% by weight or more, and from the viewpoint of economy, the amount is preferably not more than 15% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight.

The composition of the present invention may contain, if necessary, an amine compound having one or two long-chain alkyl groups or long-chain alkyl ester groups having 8 to 30 carbon atoms, a neutralized salt thereof, and a quaternary ammonium salt. Organic softeners such as salts, quaternized imidazolinium-based compounds, polyammonium compounds, polyamine salts and polyalkyleneimine salts can be blended. Further, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired, known components other than dimethylpolysiloxane which are added to and blended with the softener may be added as other optional components. Examples of such components include nonionic surfactants such as ethylene oxide adducts of higher alcohols and ethylene oxide adducts of tallowalkylamine; higher fatty acids such as stearic acid and oleic acid; 2-ethylhexanoic acid and glycerin or Nonionic surfactants such as partially esterified products with pentaerythritol; water-soluble salts such as sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium chloride; solvents such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and hexylene glycol; Oily substances such as bactericides, antioxidants, dyes, pigments, higher alcohols, liquid hydrocarbons and liquid esters; cellulose derivatives, ultraviolet absorbers, fluorescent brighteners, and fragrances.

The fabric to which the composition of the present invention is applied includes:
Natural fibers such as hemp, cotton, wool and silk; polyamides,
Synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyacryl, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyolefin, polyurethane or polytetrafluoroethylene; regenerated fibers, semi-synthetic fibers, glass fibers, and blended or mixed fabrics of these fibers Products and nonwoven fabrics. When treating a fabric with the composition of the present invention, the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane is used in an amount of 0.005 to 1.0.
It is necessary to apply the amount so as to obtain the weight%.

The composition for softening treatment of the present invention as described above is characterized by imparting excellent flexibility, hydrophilicity and antistatic properties to various kinds of clothing and textiles, thereby significantly improving the feel. In particular, there is an advantage that good texture such as flexibility, which has been a drawback of the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane, can be imparted in the absence of dimethylpolysiloxane or siloxane containing a long-chain alkyl group. Such a composition of the present invention is most effective as a household softener used in rinsing after washing at home. In addition, the composition of the present invention can be added to a liquid detergent for clothes washing or ironed. Similar effects can be expected when they are added to the coating composition of an auxiliary agent or a sheet for a tumble dryer.

[0012]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples. As the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane, a siloxane having an average structure shown in Table 1 was used.

[0013]

[Table 1]

[0014]

EXAMPLE 1 5 g of each of the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxanes A4 to A14 shown in Table 1 was used, and 0.5 g of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether was used.
What was emulsified and dispersed in 5 g of water was used as a test liquid for softening treatment. On the other hand, using a fully automatic washing machine [manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.], a commercially available cotton towel, cotton T-shirt and acrylic jersey were repeatedly washed twice at 50 ° C. using a commercially available household detergent. The test cloth was thoroughly rinsed with tap water at room temperature, dehydrated and dried. Next, 30 L of tap water was pooled in the fully automatic washing machine tank, 10 g of the test liquid for softening treatment prepared above was added, and then 1 kg of the test cloth was charged and stirred at a standard speed for 3 minutes. Then, it was dehydrated for 30 seconds, and then dried at room temperature for 48 hours. About the test cloth treated in this way, flexibility, smoothness, plumpness,
Water absorption and skin irritation were measured by the following methods. Table 2 shows the results. As is clear from the results in Table 2, the fabric treated with the composition of the present invention did not have skin irritation, and was extremely excellent in texture such as flexibility as well as water absorption. <Flexibility, smoothness, and plumpness> 5 men and women, 10 each
The name paneler touches the test cloth (cotton towel, acrylic jersey) treated with the test liquid for softening treatment and the test cloth (non-treated cloth) treated in the same manner without adding the test liquid for softening treatment. These were measured according to the following criteria. As the evaluation, the one with the largest number of respondents was adopted. ◎: The treated cloth was much better than the non-treated cloth. ：: The treated cloth was better than the untreated cloth. Δ: The treated cloth and the non-treated cloth were almost the same. X: The treated cloth was clearly inferior to the untreated cloth. <Water Absorption> Several drops of water were dropped on the treated test cloth (cotton towel), and the state of the water thereafter was measured according to the following criteria. A: Immediately after dripping on the test cloth. ：: Not soaked immediately, but soaked within 60 seconds after dripping. C: No impregnation occurred 60 seconds after the dropping. <Skin irritation> A total of 20 subjects, 10 healthy men and women, were examined, and the appearance of the skin after wearing the treated cotton T-shirt for 24 hours was visually observed. No skin irritation occurred when no inflammation occurred, and skin irritation occurred when any inflammation occurred.

[0015]

Comparative Example 1 5 g of each of the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxanes A1 to A3 shown in Table 1 and 94.5 using 0.5 g of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.
g emulsified and dispersed in water was used as a test liquid for softening treatment. Using the obtained test solution, a commercially available cotton towel, cotton T-shirt and acrylic jersey were treated in the same manner as in Example 1. After treatment, the test cloth was evaluated for flexibility, smoothness, plumpness, water absorption and skin irritation.
The measurement was performed in the same manner as described above. Table 2 shows the results.

[0016]

Comparative Example 2 Polydimethylsiloxane D having a Degree of Polymerization of 410
A test liquid for softening treatment was prepared by emulsifying and dispersing 5 g of each of 1 and polydimethylsiloxane D2 having a polymerization degree of 600 in 94.5 g of water using 0.5 g of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether. Using the obtained test solution, a commercially available cotton towel, cotton T-shirt and acrylic jersey were treated in the same manner as in Example 1. With respect to the test cloth after the treatment, flexibility, smoothness, plumpness, water absorption and skin irritation were measured in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the results.

[0017]

[Table 2]

[0018]

The composition for softening fabrics of the present invention contains a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane having a high degree of polymerization, so that it does not cause skin irritation or yellowing and has excellent flexibility for various fiber products. It is characterized by imparting texture such as slipperiness and water absorption.

Claims (5)

[Claims] An average structural formula (1): Wherein, P is the formula _{^{:-( R 3) c O (C}} 2 H 4 O) a (C 3 H 6 O) b R 4
{R ³ is an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ⁴
Is a hydrogen atom, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a formula:
—OCR ⁵ or —COOR ⁵ (R ⁵ is 1 to 6 carbon atoms)
Is a monovalent hydrocarbon group. ). a and b are each a number from 0 to 50, and (a +
b) is 1 or more, and c is 0 or 1. Wherein R ¹ is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group;
90 mol% or more of ¹ is a methyl group, R ² is R ¹ above
Or a group represented by P. x is a number from 150 to 2000, and y is a number from 1 to 50. Wherein the proportion by weight of the polyoxyalkylene chain portion is less than 50% of the total weight of the composition. 2. The composition for softening treatment according to claim 1, wherein x ranges from 300 to 2,000. 3. The composition for softening treatment according to claim 1, wherein x is in the range of 420 to 2,000. 4. The composition for softening treatment according to claim 1, wherein x ranges from 450 to 1,000. 5. The composition for softening treatment according to claim 1, which is a softening agent for household use.