JP4024424B2 - Softener composition - Google Patents

Description

【０００６】
（式中、R は炭素数17以上の炭化水素基と炭素数17未満の炭化水素基との重量比が70／30〜40／60である混合炭化水素基を示す。）
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の(a) 成分は、グリセリンと、炭素数８〜22の脂肪酸、その低級アルキルエステル又は油脂との反応により得ることができる。脂肪酸としてカプリル酸、カプリン酸、ラウリン酸、ミリスチン酸、パルミチン酸、ステアリン酸、オレイン酸、ヤシ脂肪酸、パーム脂肪酸、牛脂脂肪酸、硬化牛脂脂肪酸、ナタネ脂肪酸及びこれらの混合物が挙げられ、脂肪酸の低級アルキルエステルとして上記脂肪酸のメチルエステルが挙げられ、油脂としてヤシ油、パーム油、パーム核油、牛脂、豚脂、ナタネ油及びこれらの水素添加油等が挙げられる。
【０００８】
グリセリンのエステル化度は、グリセリン１モルに対して脂肪酸が 1.0モル〜2.5 モル縮合した範囲、即ち 1.0〜2.5 の範囲が良好な柔軟性能を示し、 1.0〜1.9 がより好ましく、1.25〜1.8 が特に好ましい。
【０００９】
本発明の(b) 成分のうち、一般式（Ｉ）で表されるアミドアミンは、N,N −ジメチルアミノプロピルアミンと、炭素数８〜22の脂肪酸、その低級アルキルエステル又は油脂との反応により得ることができる。また、一般式(II)で表されるエステルアミンは、N,N −ジメチルアミノエタノールと、炭素数８〜22の脂肪酸、その低級アルキルエステル又は油脂との反応により得ることができる。
【００１０】
このアミン製造に使用する脂肪酸は、ヤシ油、パーム油、牛脂、ナタネ油、魚油等の天然油脂由来のものが好ましいが、化学的に合成した脂肪酸でも良い。これらの脂肪酸の炭化水素基の鎖長は、分留等の蒸留操作あるいは複数の脂肪酸の混合等により、炭素数17以上の炭化水素基と炭素数17未満の炭化水素基との重量比（以下、炭化水素基比率と言う）が70／30〜40／60、好ましくは70／30〜50／50となるように調製される。この炭化水素基比率を70／30以下にすることにより組成物の保存安定性が良好となり、また40／60以上で十分な柔軟性能を示す。
【００１１】
本発明の(b) 成分は、上記一般式（Ｉ）又は(II)で表されるアミンの一部又は全部を酸で中和して用いるのが好ましい。酸として、塩酸、硫酸、リン酸等の鉱酸、及び酢酸、グリコール酸、クエン酸、乳酸等の有機酸から選ばれる１種以上が用いられ、特に塩酸、硫酸が好ましい。中和は、柔軟性能及び(a) 成分の安定性の観点から、アミンに対し 0.1〜1.5 当量の酸を用いる（以下中和度0.1〜1.5と表記する）のが好ましく、中和度 0.9〜1.5 が更に好ましい。
【００１２】
本発明の柔軟仕上げ剤組成物中の(a) 成分と(b) 成分の重量比は１／３〜３／１、好ましくは３／７〜７／３、更に好ましくは４／６〜６／４であり、この範囲内で良好な柔軟性が得られる。また、(a) 成分と(b) 成分の合計含有量は３〜40重量％、好ましくは３〜30重量％であり、この範囲内で良好な柔軟性が得られる。
【００１３】
本発明の柔軟仕上げ剤組成物は、例えば(a) 成分及び(b) 成分の溶融物又は濃厚液を攪拌しながら中和剤（酸）を含む水溶液中に添加することにより得ることができる。また、中和物を予め製造する方法或いは中和剤を後添加する方法等によっても得ることができる。
【００１４】
本発明の柔軟仕上げ剤組成物は、更にジメチルポリシロキサン、部分的にアミノ基又はポリオキシアルキレン基で変性されたジメチルポリシロキサン等のシリコーン化合物、特に好ましくは部分的にポリオキシアルキレン基で変性されたジメチルポリシロキサンを配合することにより吸水性を損なうことなく、柔軟処理された衣料の肌触りを改善することができる。これらのシリコーン化合物は、(a) 成分と(b)成分の合計重量に対し、0.3〜５重量％配合されるのが好ましい。
【００１５】
本発明の柔軟仕上げ剤組成物は、長期保存に対して安定性は高いが、更に過酷な保存条件下での安定化のためにエタノール、エチレングリコール、プロピレングリコール、グリセリン等の溶剤、脂肪族アルコールのエチレンオキシド付加物等の非イオン界面活性剤、又は尿素等を配合することができる。また、柔軟基剤として既知のエステル、カチオン化合物、長鎖脂肪酸等を併用しても良い。また、製品の外観のために顔料又は染料を、仕上がりの白さのために蛍光増白剤を、そして使用時及び仕上がり後の趣向をよくするために香料を配合することもできる。
【００１６】
【発明の効果】
本発明の柔軟仕上げ剤組成物は、各種繊維に対して十分な柔軟性を与え、保存安定性が良好であり、且つ生分解性に優れている。
【００１７】
【実施例】
実施例１〜11及び比較例１〜６
下記に示す(a) 成分及び表１に示すアミンを表２に示す配合割合で用いて柔軟仕上げ剤組成物を調製した。これらの柔軟仕上げ剤組成物について下記方法で柔軟性及び保存安定性を評価した。結果を表２に示す。
【００１８】
(a) 成分
a-1 ：硬化牛脂脂肪酸グリセリンエステル（エステル化度1.35）
a-2 ：硬化牛脂脂肪酸グリセリンエステル（エステル化度1.6 ）
【００１９】
【表１】

【００２０】
＜柔軟性の評価＞
(1) 処理方法
市販の木綿タオル２kgを 3.5°ＤＨ硬水にて市販洗剤アタック（花王株式会社製、登録商標）にて５回繰り返し洗濯（30Ｌ洗濯機）し、タオルについていた繊維処理剤を除去した後、柔軟仕上げ剤組成物を10mL投入し、25℃、１分間攪拌下で処理した。
【００２１】
(2) 評価方法
上記方法で処理した布を室内で風乾後、25℃、65％ＲＨの恒温恒湿室にて24時間放置した。これらの布について柔軟性の評価を行った。
柔軟性の評価は、ジ硬化牛脂アルキルジメチルアンモニウムクロライド15重量％からなる柔軟仕上げ剤10mLで処理した布を対照にして一対比較を行い、下記の基準で評価した。
【００２２】
２：対照より柔らかい
１：対照よりやや柔らかい
０：対照と同じ
−１：対照の方がやや柔らかい
−２：対照の方が柔らかい
＜保存安定性の評価＞
柔軟仕上げ剤組成物を密閉し、10℃にて20日間保存し、密閉状態での外観を観察した。
【００２３】
【表２】

【００２４】
注）
*1：中和度（アミンに対する酸の当量）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a softener composition.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
As a fabric softener, JP-A-7-268773 proposes a softener composition containing a fatty acid ester such as glycerin or diglycerin and a mono-long chain alkyl amine. However, when this composition is stored for a long period of time, it may be separated at a particularly high temperature, which is not satisfactory as a domestic softener.
[0003]
The subject of this invention is providing the softness | flexibility finishing composition which provides sufficient softness | flexibility with respect to various fibers, is favorable in storage stability, and was excellent in biodegradability.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention comprises the following components (a) and (b), wherein the weight ratio of the components (a) and (b) is 1/3 to 3/1, and the components (a) and (b) Is a softener composition having a total content of 3 to 40% by weight.
(a): Glycerin ester of fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms
(b): An amine represented by the general formula (I) or (II) or a salt thereof
[Chemical 2]

[0006]
(In the formula, R represents a mixed hydrocarbon group in which the weight ratio of the hydrocarbon group having 17 or more carbon atoms and the hydrocarbon group having less than 17 carbon atoms is 70/30 to 40/60.)
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The component (a) of the present invention can be obtained by reacting glycerin with a fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, a lower alkyl ester thereof, or an oil. Examples of fatty acids include caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, coconut fatty acid, palm fatty acid, beef tallow fatty acid, hardened beef tallow fatty acid, rapeseed fatty acid and mixtures thereof. Examples of the ester include methyl esters of the above fatty acids, and examples of the fat include coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, beef tallow, lard, rapeseed oil, and hydrogenated oils thereof.
[0008]
The degree of esterification of glycerin is in a range where 1.0 to 2.5 mol of fatty acid is condensed with respect to 1 mol of glycerin, that is, in the range of 1.0 to 2.5, and preferably 1.0 to 1.9, more preferably 1.25 to 1.8. preferable.
[0009]
Among the components (b) of the present invention, the amidoamine represented by the general formula (I) is obtained by reacting N, N-dimethylaminopropylamine with a fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, its lower alkyl ester or oil. Obtainable. Further, the ester amine represented by the general formula (II) can be obtained by a reaction of N, N-dimethylaminoethanol with a fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, a lower alkyl ester thereof, or an oil.
[0010]
Fatty acids used for the production of amines are preferably derived from natural fats and oils such as coconut oil, palm oil, beef tallow, rapeseed oil and fish oil, but may be chemically synthesized fatty acids. The chain length of the hydrocarbon group of these fatty acids is determined by the weight ratio of the hydrocarbon group having 17 or more carbon atoms and the hydrocarbon group having less than 17 carbon atoms (below, by distillation operation such as fractional distillation or mixing of a plurality of fatty acids). The hydrocarbon group ratio) is adjusted to 70/30 to 40/60, preferably 70/30 to 50/50. By setting the hydrocarbon group ratio to 70/30 or less, the storage stability of the composition is improved, and when it is 40/60 or more, sufficient flexibility performance is exhibited.
[0011]
The component (b) of the present invention is preferably used by neutralizing part or all of the amine represented by the general formula (I) or (II) with an acid. As the acid, at least one selected from mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid and organic acids such as acetic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid and lactic acid is used, and hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid are particularly preferred. Neutralization is preferably performed using 0.1 to 1.5 equivalents of acid to the amine (hereinafter referred to as neutralization degree 0.1 to 1.5) from the viewpoint of softness and stability of component (a). 1.5 is more preferred.
[0012]
The weight ratio of the component (a) to the component (b) in the softener composition of the present invention is 1/3 to 3/1, preferably 3/7 to 7/3, more preferably 4/6 to 6 /. 4. Within this range, good flexibility can be obtained. The total content of the component (a) and the component (b) is 3 to 40% by weight, preferably 3 to 30% by weight, and good flexibility can be obtained within this range.
[0013]
The softener composition of the present invention can be obtained, for example, by adding a melt or concentrated liquid of the component (a) and the component (b) to an aqueous solution containing a neutralizing agent (acid) while stirring. Moreover, it can obtain also by the method of manufacturing a neutralized material previously, or the method of post-adding a neutralizing agent.
[0014]
The softener composition of the present invention further comprises a dimethylpolysiloxane, a silicone compound such as dimethylpolysiloxane partially modified with an amino group or a polyoxyalkylene group, particularly preferably partially modified with a polyoxyalkylene group. By adding dimethylpolysiloxane, the touch of the soft-treated clothing can be improved without impairing water absorption. These silicone compounds are preferably blended in an amount of 0.3 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the component (a) and the component (b).
[0015]
The softener composition of the present invention is highly stable against long-term storage, but for further stabilization under severe storage conditions, a solvent such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or glycerin, an aliphatic alcohol A nonionic surfactant such as an ethylene oxide adduct, urea, or the like can be blended. Moreover, you may use together known ester, a cation compound, a long chain fatty acid, etc. as a soft base. It is also possible to add pigments or dyes for the appearance of the product, fluorescent brighteners for the whiteness of the finished product, and fragrances to improve the taste during and after use.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
The softener composition of the present invention gives sufficient flexibility to various fibers, has good storage stability, and is excellent in biodegradability.
[0017]
【Example】
Examples 1-11 and Comparative Examples 1-6
A softening finish composition was prepared using the component (a) shown below and the amine shown in Table 1 in the mixing ratio shown in Table 2. The softness and storage stability of these softener compositions were evaluated by the following methods. The results are shown in Table 2.
[0018]
(a) Component
a-1: Hardened tallow fatty acid glycerin ester (degree of esterification 1.35)
a-2: Hardened tallow fatty acid glycerin ester (degree of esterification 1.6)
[0019]
[Table 1]

[0020]
<Evaluation of flexibility>
(1) Treatment method Wash 2 kg of commercial cotton towel with 3.5 ° DH hard water repeatedly with a commercial detergent attack (registered trademark by Kao Corporation) 5 times (30L washing machine) to remove the fiber treatment agent attached to the towel. After that, 10 mL of the softening finish composition was added and treated under stirring at 25 ° C. for 1 minute.
[0021]
(2) Evaluation method The cloth treated by the above method was air-dried indoors, and then allowed to stand in a constant temperature and humidity chamber at 25 ° C. and 65% RH for 24 hours. These fabrics were evaluated for flexibility.
The softness was evaluated based on the following criteria by comparing a pair of fabrics treated with 10 mL of a soft finish comprising 15% by weight of di-cured tallow alkyldimethylammonium chloride as a control.
[0022]
2: Softer than the control 1: Slightly softer than the control 0: Same as the control -1: The control is slightly softer -2: The control is softer <Evaluation of storage stability>
The softener composition was sealed and stored at 10 ° C. for 20 days, and the appearance in a sealed state was observed.
[0023]
[Table 2]

[0024]
note)
* 1: Degree of neutralization (acid equivalent to amine)

Claims (2)

The following (a) component and (b) component are contained, the weight ratio of (a) component and (b) component is 1/3 to 3/1, and the total content of (a) component and (b) component A softener composition in which is 3 to 40% by weight.
(a): Glycerin ester of fatty acid having 8 to 22 carbon atoms
(b): amine represented by general formula (I) or (II) or a salt thereof

(In the formula, R represents a mixed hydrocarbon group in which the weight ratio of the hydrocarbon group having 17 or more carbon atoms and the hydrocarbon group having less than 17 carbon atoms is 70/30 to 40/60.) The softener composition according to claim 1, wherein the component (b) is a hydrochloride or sulfate of an amine represented by the general formula (I) or (II) and has a neutralization degree of 0.1 to 1.5.