classification and characteristics of silicone softeners:
Methyl silicone softener: The main connection to the silicon atom in its molecular structure is methyl, which is the most common and basic silicone softener. It has excellent lubrication properties, can effectively reduce the friction coefficient between fibers, and make the fabric feel soft and smooth. At the same time, it has excellent chemical stability, good tolerance to chemical substances such as acids and alkalis, and can remain stable in a wide temperature range. For example, it is widely used in the finishing of some industrial textiles, such as functional protective fabrics produced in factories, etc., which can maintain the softness of fabrics even under relatively harsh environmental conditions.
Amino silicone softener: Amino groups are introduced into the molecule, which makes it have better affinity and adsorption with fibers. On the one hand, it can give the fabric an extremely soft, fluffy and delicate feel, and make the fabric have better elasticity and drape; on the other hand, amino groups have certain reactivity and can interact with some functional groups on the fiber surface (such as hydroxyl groups of cotton fibers, amino groups of wool fibers, etc.) to enhance the binding force, so after the textile is finished, the softening effect is relatively more durable. However, due to the presence of amino groups, there is a certain risk of yellowing under high temperature or long-term storage. It is often used in places where softness is required and color changes are relatively insensitive, such as the finishing of ordinary pure cotton clothing and wool products.
Polyether silicone softener: polyether segments are introduced on the basis of silicone oil structure. Through this modification, it has better hydrophilicity and shear stability. In textile applications, it improves the hygroscopicity of fabrics and solves the problem of poor hygroscopicity of fabrics after finishing with ordinary silicone softeners. In the processing process, even after shearing effects such as stirring and pumping, the stability of the emulsion can still be maintained to ensure the uniformity of the softening effect. It is often used for some fabrics that need to be washed frequently, such as hotel bedding, daily shirts, etc., so that they can still maintain a good soft feel after multiple washings.
Hydroxy silicone oil softener: The molecule contains hydroxyl group (-OH), which can participate in some chemical reactions. For example, it can be used as a cross-linking agent in silicone rubber production to increase the degree of cross-linking of silicone rubber and enhance its performance. In textile finishing, it can bring a certain softening effect to the fabric and increase the resilience of the fabric. It has certain applications in the finishing of some fabrics with elasticity requirements (such as sportswear fabrics, etc.).