GB2203162A

GB2203162A - Anti-static compositions

Info

Publication number: GB2203162A
Application number: GB08807916A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dee Gillentine
Original assignee: D G IND Ltd
Current assignee: D G IND Ltd
Priority date: 1987-04-01
Filing date: 1988-04-05
Publication date: 1988-10-12
Also published as: GB8807916D0; GB8707772D0

Abstract

A water-based anti-static composition is described in which an aqueous solution of a water-soluble anti-static agent, suitably a condensation product of an alkyl phenol and ethylene oxide, is stabilised in a substantially homogeneous solution by means of an effective amount of a coconut oil fatty acid amide.

Description

ANTI-STATIC COMPOSITIONS This invention relates to water-based anti-static compositions.

The use of non-ionic water-soluble anti-static agents such as alkyl phenol/ethylene oxide condensates in aqueous compositions is known, particularly preferred agents being for example the macrogol ethers. Waterbased compositions offer potentially significant safety and other advantages over organic (e.g. alcohol) based solvent systems. The range of application of such water-based compositions has, however, hitherto been limited by the difficulties encountered in obtaining a homogeneous liquid composition, as there can be tendency to form a paste or gel.

According to the present invention, there is provided an anti-static composition which comprises an aqueous solution containing a non-ionic water-soluble antistatic agent, suitably a condensation product of an alkyl phenol and ethylene oxide, and further including a coconut oil fatty acid amide in an amount effective to stabilise the composition as a substantially homogeneous liquid.

The anti-static agent may for example be a macrogol ether such as nonyl phenyl ethoxylate (synthetic-9mol). Preferably, the composition will also contain a co-solvent, e.g. a glycol ether such as butyl glycol ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether or propylene glycol monoethyl ether, and an antiseptic, advantageously with anti-static properties, such as a conventional quaternary ammonium compound, e.g. benzyl diammonium chloride or an optionally-substituted-benzyl quaternary of a tri-alkyl-amine.

The anti-static agent and the coconut oil fatty acid amide may suitably be present in relative proportion by weight from about 0.6:1 to about 1.4:1 amide:antistatic (preferably about 0.8:1). The anti-static agent typically comprises no more than about 15% by weight of the composition, and the coconut oil fatty acid amide typically no more than about 10% by weight.

The anti-static composition of the present invention may conveniently be provided as a concentrate to reduce bulk, the concentrate being diluted before use. The concentrate will usually contain from about 2% to about 15% by weight of the anti-static agent, and from about 2% to about 10% by weight (most preferably about 4%) of the non-ionic coconut oil fatty acid amide, these ingredients being present in the desired proportion relative to each other, the remainder of the concentrate comprising water and other optional ingredients.

If an antiseptic agent is included in the composition then it will usually constitute from about 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight of the concentrate. If a Co- solvent is present it may suitably constitute from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the concentrate.

The concentrate will usually contain from about 60% to about 96% by weight of water, more typically from about 75% to about 90%, for example about 80% to 85 or 87%.

The concentrate is suitably somewhat alkaline in pH.

Anti-static compositions in accordance with the present invention have been used satisfactorily, at suitable dilution levels, on visible display units; televisions; office equipment; telecommunications equipment, including telex; and photographic equipment, including cameras, lenses and films. In addition, the composition of the present invention can be used for cleaning a wide range of surfaces and materials (e.g.

glass surfaces such as spectacle lenses and mirrors; metal surfaces such as car bodies or precious and semiprecious metals such as gold or silver; plastics surfaces such as plastics spectacle lenses, disc recordings and photographic negatives; flooring materials, e.g. carpets; and furniture), and imparting to such surfaces and materials anti-static properties.

Anti-static compositions according to the invention can be applied by means of a cloth or under pressure, for example as an aerosol.

As mentioned above, the concentrate is typically diluted with water before use. Up to thirty, e.g.

about four, about ten or about twenty, parts of water for each part of the concentrate may typically be used.

The higher dilutions may for example be required for those applications, e.g. treating glass surfaces, where high optical clarity is required.

The concentrate may suitably be prepared by adding the coconut oil fatty acid amide in desired amounts to a sufficient volume of water, with warming (e.g. to about 270 C) and optionally stirring (e.g. for about 60 minutes) to achieve a liquid to which the remaining constituents are then added, suitably before allowing the concentrate to cool to room temperature.

The use of the coconut oil fatty acid amide in the present invention, to stabilise the aqueous anti-static compositions in substantially homogeneous form, enables the use of toxic, inflammable or corrosive co-solvents and solvents to be avoided or reduced. The use of solvent systems which evaporate to leave deposited layers of chemicals which are difficult to remove subsequently from the treated surface may also be avoided or reduced using the compositions of the present invention.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples: Example 1 Concentrate A A stable homogeneous concentrate was prepared having approximate composition as follows (percentages expressed by weight): 4% Coconut diethanolamide 5% Nonyl phenyl ethoxylate (synthetic-9-mol) 0.9% Quaternary ammonium chloride 8% Co-solvent selected from butyl glycol ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether and propylene glycol mono ethyl ether water ad 100% Concentrate B A range of stable homogeneous concentrates was prepared having approximate compositions in the following ranges (percentages expressed by weight):: 3-4% Coconut diethanolamide 4-5% Nonyl phenyl ethoxylate (synthetic-9-mol) 0.8 - 0.9% Quaternary ammonium chloride 7-8% Co-solvent selected from butyl glycol ether, dipropylene glycol methl ether and propylene glycol mono ethyl ether water ad 100% Concentrate C A further stable homogeneous concentrate was prepared having approximate composition as follows (percentages expressed by weight):: 4% Coconut diethanolamide 5% Nonyl phenyl ethoxylate (synthetic-9-mol) 0.9% t Quaternary ammonium chloride 13% Dipropylene glycol methyl ether co-solvent water ad 100% Example 2 Anti-static compositions Concentrates A and B were diluted at a ratio of 10 parts water to one part concentrate to provide stable homogeneous solutions which can each be used as a film wash in the final stage of photographic negative processing, as a vehicle wash prior to painting, or as a carpet treatment preparation to remove static electricity from carpets.

Example 3 Anti-static compositions Concentrates A and B were diluted at a ratio of 4 parts water to one part concentrate to provide stable homogeneous solutions which can each be used as an anti-static wash for office equipment such as VDU's, casings and keyboards, for records, televisions, telephones or spectacles, or for jewellery such as gold and silver items. The compositions may alternatively be provided impregnated in an absorbent material such as cloth or tissue for use as a wipe.

Example 4 Anti-static compositions Concentrate C was diluted at a ratio of 19 parts water to one part concentrate to provide an anti-static wash for glass surfaces such as lenses and mirrors.

Claims

1. An anti-static composition which comprises an aqueous solution containing a non-ionic water-soluble anti-static agent and further including a coconut oil fatty acid amide in an amount effective to stabilise the composition as a substantially homogeneous liquid.

2. An anti-static composition as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the anti-static agent and the coconut oil fatty acid amide are present in relative proportion by weight from 0.6:1 to 1.4:1 amide:anti-static.

3. An anti-static composition as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the coconut oil fatty acid amide is present in an amount of up to 10% by weight.

4. An anti-static composition as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the coconut oil fatty acid amide is present in an amount of about 4% by weight.

5. An anti-static composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the anti-static agent is or comprises a condensation product of an alkyl phenol and ethylene oxide.

6. An anti-static composition as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the anti-static agent is or comprises nonyl phenyl ethoxylate (synthetic-9mol).

7. An anti-static composition as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the anti-static agent is present in an amount of up to 15% by weight.

8. An anti-static composition as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the coconut oil fatty acid amide is or comprises coconut diethanolamide.

9. An anti-static composition as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims further including a co-solvent.

10. An anti-static composition as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims further including an antiseptic compound.

11. An anti-static composition as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the antiseptic compound is a quaternary ammonium compound.

12. A method of imparting anti-static properties to a surface which comprises applying to said surface a composition as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.

13. A method for preparing an anti-static composition as claimed in Claim 1, which comprises adding the coconut oil fatty acid amide in desired amounts to a sufficient volume of water with warming and optionally stirring to achieve a liquid to which the remaining constituent(s) is/are then added.

14. An anti-static composition, substantially as described in the foregoing examples.