EP2326763A1

EP2326763A1 - Method for functionalising a textile substrate in order to impart humidity transfer properties thereto

Info

Publication number: EP2326763A1
Application number: EP09740174A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudine Colin; Guilhem Merenna
Original assignee: Lainiere de Picardie BC SAS
Current assignee: Lainiere de Picardie BC SAS
Priority date: 2008-09-17
Filing date: 2009-09-15
Publication date: 2011-06-01
Also published as: JP2012503035A; CN102171392A; FR2935994A1; WO2010031920A1; US20110183147A1; FR2935994B1; BRPI0913737A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for functionalising a textile substrate made of a hydrophilic material in order to impart humidity transfer properties thereto, wherein said method includes the steps of: preparing a formulation of at least one hydrophobic material containing at least one group reacting under ionising radiation; forming a discontinuous layer using said formulation on a surface of the textile substrate; and applying an ionising radiation onto said discontinuous layer in order to graft the hydrophobic material on the surface of the substrate by the reaction of the reactive groups.

Description

Method of functionalizing a textile substrate to impart moisture transfer properties

The invention relates to a method of functionalizing a textile substrate based on hydrophilic material in order to confer moisture transfer properties, and a functionalized textile substrate by implementing such a method.

In particular, a textile substrate according to the invention allows the manufacture of clothing intended to be worn in contact with the skin, such as underwear, polos, T-shirts, shirts ....

Indeed, especially with textile substrates based on hydrophilic material, sweat can be stored in contact with the skin, which provides significant discomfort. Therefore, especially in these applications, moisture transfer properties are sought to facilitate the evacuation of sweat to the outside of the garment.

A textile substrate according to the invention therefore more particularly its application for the manufacture of sportswear type clothing for which the wet contact is all the more present that the user perspires during the effort induced by his physical activity.

In order to confer moisture transfer properties on a textile substrate, a method using a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer deposited on one surface of the substrate is known, in particular from US-2007/0151039.

However, the layers deposited according to this document are continuous, which goes against the flexibility and breathability of the textile substrate. Consequently, the comfort, in particular the thermal comfort, of a garment made with such a textile substrate is not satisfactory, in particular in that the calories produced by the user will not be effectively transferred to the outside.

The object of the invention is to improve the prior art by proposing a method of functionalization of a textile substrate in which the moisture transfer properties are combined with good breathability, so as to promote the transfer to the outside as well. sweat as calories produced by the user of a garment made with said substrate. Thus, the transfer of moisture is judiciously used to facilitate the elimination of calories.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a process for functionalizing a textile substrate based on a hydrophilic material in order to confer moisture transfer properties, said process comprising the steps of providing preparing a formulation of at least one hydrophobic material comprising at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation;

forming with said formulation a discontinuous layer on a surface of the textile substrate;

applying ionizing radiation to said discontinuous layer so as to ensure the grafting of the hydrophobic material on the surface of the substrate by reaction of the reactive groups.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a functionalized textile substrate by implementing such a method, said substrate being based on a hydrophilic material and its inner surface being grafted with a discontinuous layer of a hydrophobic material, said discontinuous layer being partially impregnated in said surface so as to create a hydrophilic - hydrophobic gradient to impart to said substrate moisture transfer properties in its thickness.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of various particular embodiments. A method of functionalizing a textile substrate based on hydrophilic material is described below with a view to imparting to it moisture transfer properties. In particular, the material forming the textile substrate may be chosen from cellulose derivatives, in particular cotton and / or viscose, or polycotons consisting predominantly of cellulose derivatives mixed in a smaller amount with synthetic fibers.

The textile substrate may take any form suitable for the manufacture of clothing, in particular by being formed of a knit sheet, fabric or non-woven fabric. In addition, the textile substrate may undergo, prior to its functionalization, particular treatments, in particular to improve its cohesion and / or wettability.

The textile substrate is more particularly intended for the manufacture of clothing intended to be worn in contact with the skin, especially sportswear-type clothing. In particular, the whole of a garment can be made with at least one functionalized textile substrate according to the invention, or the use of the functionalized substrate can be limited to the zones of the garment which more particularly require moisture transfer properties. .

The functionalization method provides for preparing a formulation of at least one hydrophobic material, that is to say having at least hydrophilic properties which are lower than those of the material forming the textile substrate. In addition, the hydrophobic material comprises at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation. In particular, such groups may comprise an unsaturated bond which, under the effect of ionizing radiation, forms a reactive free radical. For example, the reactive group under ionizing radiation may be chosen from vinyl, amine, epoxy, acrylate, hydroxyl, phenyl, ether, ester, and carboxyl groups.

According to one embodiment, the formulation comprises polydimethylsiloxane PDMS chains, in particular PDMS chains of different lengths. In Indeed, these chains make it possible, after crosslinking, to form an elastomeric silicone-based material which, in addition to its hydrophobic properties, is naturally soft, supple, compatible with the skin and hypoallergenic.

In particular, PDMS chains may have, along said chain, functional groups that are reactive under ionizing radiation. Thus, by application of such radiation, said chains may be crosslinked with each other and / or with another reactive material such as, for example, di or trifunctional agents or a textile substrate also having reactive functionalities under ionizing radiation.

In one embodiment, the formulation comprises an oil or a mixture of oils comprising PDMS chains. In particular, the formulation may comprise a mixture of at least one oil comprising functionalized PDMS chains and / or one or more oils comprising non-functionalized PDMS chains.

The functionalization method provides for forming with said formulation a discontinuous layer on a surface of the textile substrate. To do this, we can deposit a network of discrete patterns, including dots, on the surface of the textile substrate, in particular by screen printing, etching, spraying, inkjet, lithography, transfer.

Alternatively, the discontinuous layer may be formed by depositing a continuous layer of the formulation on the surface of the textile substrate, and then treating said layer to make it discontinuous. In particular, the continuous layer can be deposited by transfer and then stretched mechanically to make it discontinuous by cracking of said continuous layer. In addition, it can add to the formulation of the layer additives capable of promoting the creation of porosity and / or discontinuity in said layer.

The formulation may be arranged to promote the impregnation of the surface of the textile substrate by the discontinuous layer formed, in particular by comprising a wetting agent. In addition, the formulation may comprise other additives such as rheology or thixotropic agents but also resins, gums, adhesion promoters or reactive compounds comprising SiH groups.

The formulation can be prepared using at least one oil in pure form, in emulsion or in dispersion. A typical example of formulation may include the following mixture:

between 5 and 50% of non-functionalized PDMS oils; between 5 and 50% of PDMS oils functionalized with vinyl groups;

between 5 and 50% of PDMS oils functionalized with acrylate groups;

between 2 and 20% of a bridging resin; between 0.3% and 3% of an adhesion promoter.

Another example of a formulation is a mixture of this type which is emulsified in an aqueous portion of between 35 and 85%. Both parts can be bound by surfactants and emulsifiers (between 0.5 and 5%). The rheology can be adjusted with a thixotropic agent that can be of the polyurethane type (between 0.2 and 2%), and the wettability on the substrate by the addition of a wetting agent (between 0.3 and 3%). .

The functionalization method provides for applying ionizing radiation to the discontinuous layer so as to ensure the grafting of the hydrophobic material on the surface of the substrate by reaction of the reactive groups.

According to one embodiment, the ionizing radiation is electron bombardment generated by an electron accelerator which, when using PDMS chains, is adjusted in power and duration to allow cross-linking and grafting of said chains.

The method may also provide a heat treatment step of the discontinuous layer formed and / or grafted, for example by means of lamps infrared, so as to ensure the drying of the textile substrate. The heat treatment may also make it possible to heat-fix the formulation on the textile substrate.

Finally, the textile substrate can be washed and then dried or undergo other treatments necessary for its subsequent use.

According to one embodiment, the formulation further comprises microcapsules containing an active composition in an envelope, said envelope being based on a material comprising at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation. Thus, during the application of the ionizing radiation, the microcapsules are grafted onto the surface of the substrate so as to combine the moisture transfer properties with those of the active composition. In one embodiment, the discontinuous layer may be in the form of a porous foam, the microcapsules may be integrated in said pores.

In particular, the active substance may be capable of providing thermal regulation properties to the textile substrate, in particular by incorporating a phase-change material whose melting point is between 15 ° C. and 38 ° C., preferably between 22 ° C. C and 35 ° C, so as to ensure thermoregulation in the vicinity of human body temperature.

In other applications, the active substance may have other properties, for example hygienic or comfort. In exemplary embodiments, the active substance may comprise essential oils, in particular for improving respiration, perfumes, repellents, especially anti-mosquitoes, conductive or antistatic fillers, bacteriostatic agents such as silver salts, anti-odor.

According to one embodiment, the formulation may further comprise at least one bridging agent having at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation. In particular, bi or tri-reactive bridging agents may be used, in particular chosen from the group comprising glycidyl acrylate or methacrylate (AGLY, MAGLY), polyethylene glycol 200, 400, 600 diacrylate (PEG200 DA, PEG400 DA, PEG600 DA), dipropylene glycol diacrylate (DPGA), sulfopropyl potassium methacrylate (SPMK) and lauryl methacrylate or acrylate. Among the bridging agents, there are also organo-metallic hybrid compounds, organosilanes or organotitanates which will cling to the silicone compounds or mineral fillers and based on functional groups reactive under ionizing radiation which will allow the bridging with organic compounds. These families of constituents include compounds such as MEMO (Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane), GLYMO

(Glycidopropyltrimethoxysilane), VTMO (Vinyl TriMetOxy silane), PTMO (Propyltrimethoxysilane) and TBOT (Tetrabutylorthotitanate).

Thus, the reactions between the reactive groups and the bridging agents make it possible to connect the hydrophobic material, the possible microcapsules and the fibers of the textile substrate, so as to create a solid three-dimensional network resistant to friction as well as washing or cleaning at dry.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to produce a substrate based on a hydrophilic material whose inner surface is grafted with a discontinuous layer of a hydrophobic material, in particular an elastomeric silicone-based material. Thus, the textile substrate remains breathable, especially through the discontinuities of the layer, so as to avoid an oven effect. For example, the degree of coverage of the discontinuous layer may be between 30 and 70% and its weight between 1 and 50 g / m ² , especially between 5 and 15 g / m ² .

In addition, the discontinuous layer is partially impregnated into the surface so as to create a hydrophilic-hydrophobic gradient to impart to said substrate moisture transfer properties from the inside to the outside of the garment. Thus, the hydrophilic-hydrophobic gradient can be adjusted to manage the kinetics of moisture transfer so as to promote the natural migration of moisture in the thickness of the substrate from its inner surface to its outer surface, and thus its elimination. from the skin to the outside of the garment.

In addition, the discontinuous layer may be raised in relief with respect to the inner surface so as to be interposed between said surface and the skin of the user of a garment made with said substrate. Thus, in addition to its functions of moisture transfer and breathability, the discontinuous layer will be able to act as a barrier between the skin and the substrate impregnated with sweat, and thus improve the comfort of use.

Moreover, the grafting as well as the possible bridging of the hydrophobic material on the textile substrate is particularly durable with, in particular, a good holding in the washing machine of the discontinuous layer.

Claims

A method of functionalizing a textile substrate based on a hydrophilic material to impart moisture transfer properties thereto, said method comprising the steps of:

preparing a formulation of at least one hydrophobic material comprising at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation;

forming with said formulation a discontinuous layer on a surface of the textile substrate; applying ionizing radiation to said discontinuous layer so as to ensure the grafting of the hydrophobic material on the surface of the substrate by reaction of the reactive groups.

2. Method of functionalization according to claim 1, wherein the formulation is arranged to promote the impregnation of the surface of the textile substrate by the discontinuous layer formed.

3. Functionalization method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discontinuous layer is formed in relief relative to the surface of the textile substrate.

4. The method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the formulation comprises polydimethyl siloxane chains PDMS, said chains being crosslinked and grafted during the application of ionizing radiation.

5. The method of functionalization according to claim 4, wherein at least one type of reactive group under ionizing radiation is grafted onto PDMS chains.

6. The method of functionalization according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the formulation is prepared using at least one PDMS chain oil in pure form, emulsion or dispersion.

7. Method of functionalization according to any one of claims 4 to

6, wherein the formulation comprises a blend of oils comprising PDMS chains.

8. Method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to

7, in which the reactive group under ionizing radiation is chosen from vinyl, amine, epoxy, acrylate, hydroxyl, phenyl, ether, ester and carboxyl groups.

9. Method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to

8, wherein the discontinuous layer is formed by depositing an array of discrete patterns on the surface of the textile substrate.

10. A method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the discontinuous layer is formed by depositing a continuous layer of the formulation on the surface of the textile substrate, then by treatment of said layer to make discontinuous .

11. Method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to

10, wherein the formulation further comprises microcapsules containing an active composition in an envelope, said envelope being based on a material comprising at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation.

12. Method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to

11, wherein the formulation further comprises at least one bridging agent having at least one reactive group under ionizing radiation.

13. Method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to

12, in which a step of thermal treatment of the discontinuous layer formed and / or grafted is provided.

14. The method of functionalization according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the ionizing radiation is an electron bombardment.

15. Textile substrate functionalized by implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, said substrate being based on a hydrophilic material and its inner surface being grafted with a discontinuous layer of a hydrophobic material, said discontinuous layer being partially impregnated in said surface so as to create a hydrophilic-hydrophobic gradient to impart to said substrate moisture transfer properties in its thickness.

16. Textile substrate according to claim 15, characterized in that the hydrophobic material is based on elastomeric silicone.

17. Textile substrate according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the textile substrate is based on cellulose derivatives or polycotons.