Fabric Softener

Md. Sherazul Islam

Lecturer
Department of Textile Engineering
Green University of Bangladesh
Fabric Softening

Fabric softening: The treatments which make the fabric more flexible and impart the impression of

softness are known as fabric softening.

Softness generally comes from making of the fabric more flexible and decreasing inter fiber

friction. Softness of the fabric can be enhanced by chemical or mechanical treatment.

Ways of Fabric Softening
Mechanical Methods:

 By Calendering

 By Raising

 By Napping

 By Brushing

Chemical Methods:

 By Fabric Softener
Softener
Softener: Softener is an finishing agent that when applied to textile material improves its handle

giving pleasing touch. As a general rule, the softening agents applied are lubricating agents, which

facilitate the fiber sliding within the fabric structure, thus granting easier deformation and creasing

of the fabric.

Softener
Desirable Properties of Softener
 It should be easy to handle.

 It should have good compatibility with other chemicals.

 It should not affect the shade of material.

 It should not affect the fastness of dyed material.

 It should not cause yellowing effect on dyed and finished material.

 It should be stable to high temperature.

 It should be non volatile.

 It should be non toxic and easily biodegradable.

Mechanism of Softening Effect
 Softeners provide their main effects on the surface of the fibers.

 Small softener molecules, in addition, penetrate the fiber and provide an internal plasticization of

the fiber forming polymer by reducing of the glass transition temperature Tg.

 The physical arrangement of the usual softener molecules on the fiber surface is important .

 It depends on the ionic nature of the softener molecule and the relative hydrophobicity of the fiber

surface.
Mechanism of Softening Effect
Cationic softeners 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.

Schematic orientation of cationic softeners on fiber surfaces

Mechanism of Softening Effect
Anionic softeners, on the other hand, orient themselves with their negatively charged ends repelled

away from the negatively charged fibre surface. This leads to higher hydrophilicity, but less softening

than with cationic softeners.

Schematic orientation of anionic softeners on fiber surfaces

Mechanism of Softening Effect
The orientation of non-ionic softeners depends on the nature of the fibre surface, with the hydrophilic

portion of the softener being attracted to hydrophilic surfaces and the hydrophobic portion being

attracted to hydrophobic surfaces.

Schematic orientation of Non-ionic softener at (c) hydrophobic and (d) hydrophilic fiber surface
Types of Softener

There are five types of softener. These are-

 Anionic Softener (-ve)

 Cationic Softener (+ve)

 Non-ionic Softener (Neutral)

 Amphoteric Softener (±ve)

 Others (Silicone, Polyethylene etc.)

Cationic Softener

Cationic Softener: The softener that ionizes in water and produces an cation as a dominating ion

responsible for softening is called cationic softener.

Cationic Softener
Cationic Softener
Properties of Cationic Softener

 Cationic softeners are widely used on cellulosic materials.

 It has enough affinity and substantively towards cellulosic fibers.

 Its PH is lies between 5 – 6.

 Cationic softener become unstable to alkaline media.

 It is soluble in water.

 Cationic salts present in hard water react with softener forming precipitation.

 They are usually quaternary ammonium salts, amino-esters and amino-amides.

Properties of Cationic Softener

 Cationic softeners have the best softness and are reasonably durable to laundering.

 They can be applied by exhaustion to all fibres from a high liquor to goods ratio bath and they

provide a hydrophobic surface and poor rewetting properties, because their hydrophobic groups

are oriented away from the fibre surface.

 They are usually not compatible with anionic products (precipitation of insoluble adducts).

 Cationic softeners attract soil, may cause yellowing upon exposure to high temperatures and may

adversely affect the light fastness of direct and reactive dyes.

Softening Mechanism of Cationic Softener
Cationic softeners 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.

Schematic orientation of cationic softeners on fiber surfaces

Softening Mechanism of Cationic Softener

Schematic orientation of cationic softeners on fiber surfaces

Softening Mechanism of Cationic Softener
Application Method of Cationic Softener
Pad-Dry-Cure method: 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 110 – 120 0C for
2 – 3 minutes and curing is done at 140-150 0C for 2-3 min.
Exhaust Methods: In this method, following parameters are maintained. It is a sample recipe.
Softener: 1 – 2% (Owf)
Material: Liquor : 1: 10
Temperature : 450 – 500 C
PH: 4 – 5
Time: 20 – 30 minutes
Advantages & Disadvantages of Cationic Softener
Advantages Disadvantages
Imparts soft, fluffy handle More yellowing. Not suitable for whites

Durable to multiple washes Poor re-wetting properties

Imparts antistatic properties May change dyes shade

Suitable by any method May deteriorate light fastness

Compatible with resins Not compatible with anionic

Yellowing due to Cationic Softener
Anionic Softener
The softener that ionizes in water and produces an anion as a dominating ion responsible for

softening is called anionic softener.

Anionic Softener
Anionic Softener
 Anionic softeners have nowadays only a very limited use in textile processing, due to their low
substantivity and minor softness.
 Some examples of their uses include raising and sanforising processes, which result in
improved smoothness/antistatic and rewetting properties
Properties of Anionic Softener

 Anionic softeners are heat stable at normal textile processing temperatures and compatible

with other components of dye and bleach baths.

 They can easily be washed off and provide strong antistatic effects and good rewetting

properties because their anionic groups are oriented outward and are surrounded by a thick

hydration layer.

 They are often used for special applications, such as medical textiles, or in combination

with anionic fluorescent brightening agents.

Properties of Anionic Softener

 A non-yellowing anionic softener for white fabrics that is compatible with optical brightening

agents (OBAs).

 It can be applied both by exhaust and padding methods.

 It is not stable in hard water.

 It has not enough affinity to cellulose.

 Able to provide strong antistatic properties.

Softening Mechanism of Anionic Softener
Anionic softeners, on the other hand, orient themselves with their negatively charged ends repelled

away from the negatively charged fibre surface. This leads to higher hydrophilicity, but less softening

than with cationic softeners.

Schematic orientation of anionic softeners on fiber surfaces

Application Methods of Anionic Softener

Exhaust method: 2–3% on the weight of fabric exhausted at room temperature for 30–45 min

at pH 4.5–5.5 followed by drying.

Padding method: 15–30 g/L padding with 70–80% pickup, followed by drying at 110–130°C.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Anionic Softener

Advantages Disadvantages
Good rewetting properties Less softness compared to others

Good stability towards heat Limited durability to laundering

Less yellowing Mechanical deposition by padding

Good for lubricating yarns Incompatible with resins

Non-ionic Softener

 Non-ionic softeners theoretically have no electric charge and for that reason show no significant
substantivity.
 They can easily be combined with other active agents or products, are stable against high
temperatures, and are non-yellowing.
 For that reason, this product group is ideal for the finish of optically-brightened white textiles.
Properties of Non-ionic Softener

 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 be used during the application of nonionic softener.

 Acetic acid is added to cold water before adding the softener.

Softening Mechanism of Non-ionic Softener
The orientation of non-ionic softeners depends on the nature of the fibre surface, with the hydrophilic

portion of the softener being attracted to hydrophilic surfaces and the hydrophobic portion being

attracted to hydrophobic surfaces.

Schematic orientation of Non-ionic softener at (c) hydrophobic and (d) hydrophilic fiber surface
Advantages of Non-ionic Softener

 Nonionic softener is compatible with cationic, anionic agents, and resin.

 It does not create yellowish problems.

 It is applicable to all types of fibers.

 Nonionic softener can be applied in both exhaust and padding processes.

 It does not influence dyeing fastness.

Disadvantages of Non-ionic Softener

 Nonionic softener gives a temporary soft feel.

 It is comparatively more costly than other softeners.

 Not easily soluble in water.

Amphoteric Softener
 Amphoteric substances show on textiles a weaker softness but are superior in antistatic

properties and hydrophilicity.

 Besides this, they are compatible to human skin and are often used for hygiene articles.

 Compounds with amphoteric are widely used for the finish of terry towels.
Amphoteric Softener

 These softeners contain one or more long alkyl chain having both anion and cation in itself.

 In alkaline solution (pH>7), the behave like anionic softener

 In acidic solution (pH<7), the behave like cationic softener

 In neutral solution (pH=7), the behave like non ionic softener

Silicone Softener

 Silicone softener is a compound made up of polymer of organic poly-siloxane.

 It provides a soft finish to wool, cotton, silk, and other natural fibers.

 Silicone softeners have a wide application range in the textile industry.

 The application of silicone textile finishing auxiliaries is not limited to natural fibers and can be

used on different synthetic fibers.

 Silicone softener is known for its excellent temperature stability and durability.
Silicone Softener
Properties of Silicone Softener

 Provide a very high softness and slippery hand feel.

 Provide high lubricity.

 Improved tear strength.

 Improved abrasion resistance.

 Improved crocking fastness.

Properties of Silicone Softener

 Higher crease recovery angle.

 Improved wash permanence.

 Very good anti-pilling properties.

 Antistatic properties.

 Good temperature stability and durability.

Synthesis of Silicone Softener

 The silicone is treated with methyl chloride in the presence of a catalyst, which forms

chlorosilanes.

 The chlorosilanes are a mixture of about 60–70% dimethyl di-chlorosilane, 20–30% methyl

trichlorosilane, 6–7% trimethylchlorosilane, 2–3% methyl hydrogen dichlorosilane, and 0.5%

unstable chlorosilane.

 This mixture of condensation with water gives a monomer, silanol which polymerizes into poly-

siloxanes (silicones).

 This polymer may be linear, branched, cyclic, or elastomeric.

Synthesis of Silicone Softener
Modifications of Silicone Softener
Modifications of Silicone Softener
Modifications of Silicone Softener
Modifications of Silicone Softener
Mechanism of Silicone Softener

Silicone-based 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.
Mechanism of Silicone Softener

 In the methyl structure, there is a large gap between the methyl groups, the main chain of the

silicone molecule is soft-scoring, and the free energy required for the rotation of the methyl

group around the SO bond is almost zero so that the rotation of the entire polysiloxane is very

convenient.

 The high molecular flexibility of the silicone chain is the reason for the very low glass transition

temperature (about –100 °C) and for their special softness.

Mechanism of Silicone Softener

In the case of cellulose, wool, silk and polyamide fibres, there are strong hydrogen bonds between

the hydroxyl or amino groups of the fibres and the amino groups of the modified silicones. These

bonds act as an anchor for the silicone, which forms an evenly distributed film on the fibre surface.

Good water repellency and a very soft hand are the results. 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 fibres.

Mechanism of Silicone Softener

Schematic arrangement of amino-modified silicone softeners on the fibre surface:

a = loops of the polydimethylsiloxane chain
b = partially cationic aminoethyl- aminopropyl side groups (about half of them are positively charged)
c = fibre surface with partially negative charge, for example cotton andwool.
Mechanism of Silicone Softener

In the case of relatively non-polar fibres such as polyester, the hydrophobic segments of the silicone

chains interact strongly with the hydrophobic fibre surface. 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 specially soft hand of amino-functional silicones on

non-polar fibres.
Mechanism of Silicone Softener

Schematic arrangement of amino-modified silicone softeners on the fibre surface:

a = loops of the polydimethylsiloxane chain,
b = partially cationic aminoethyl- aminopropyl side groups (about half of them are positively charged),
d = hydrophobic attraction of unmodified silicone chain segments and fibre surface, for example polyester.
Mechanism of Silicone Softener
Mechanism of Silicone Softener
Advantages of Silicone Softener

 Provide a very high softness and slippery hand feel.

 Provide high lubricity.

 Improved tear strength and abrasion resistance

 Improved crocking fastness.

 Improved wash permanence.

 Very good anti-pilling properties.

 Good temperature stability and durability

Disadvantages of Silicone Softener

 Create water repellency of some type, making the unsuitable when absorbency is required.

 Can’t easily be removed for re-dyeing.

 Expensive.
Comparison Among Anionic, Cationic, Non-ionic and Silicone
Softener