JP7100504B2 - Hydrophilizing agent - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hydrophilic agent capable of imparting initial water permeability, durable water permeability and liquid return prevention property to hydrophobic fibers, and more specifically, the need for water permeability of disposable diapers, menstrual napkins and the like. It relates to a hydrophilic agent used in various articles.

Since thermoplastic synthetic fibers such as polyolefins and polyesters are hydrophobic, methods for imparting water permeability have been conventionally proposed. In particular, when wearing sanitary materials such as disposable diapers and menstrual napkins, the surface materials of these products are easy to get wet in order to avoid discomfort due to sweating, urine, body fluids, etc., and the ease of getting wet is exhibited in a short time. This is very important. Furthermore, it is considered important that the liquid once absorbed by the absorber does not return to the surface material, that is, there is no liquid return from the absorber. Therefore, it is usually required that the fibers constituting the surface materials of these products, for example, polyolefin fibers, absorb the liquid in a short time. In addition, disposable diapers, etc. are worn by infants, the elderly, the sick, etc. who cannot handle excrement by themselves, and due to the increase in absorption capacity and the improvement of anti-wetting property, one wear does not necessarily mean one excrement. Is not always treated, and durable water permeability is strongly required for surface materials such as these sanitary materials.

Conventionally, the methods shown in the following (1) to (3) are known as methods for imparting water permeability to the fibers such as the surface material.
(1) A method in which a hydrophilic agent is kneaded into a hydrophobic resin and a water-permeable fiber polymer is obtained from the spun fibers. Examples of this method include a method of mixing polyethylene glycol with a polymer and melt-kneading to produce fibers (Patent Document 1), a method of mixing an alkyl sulfonic acid sodium salt to form fibers (Patent Document 2), and the like. be.
(2) A method for adhering a water-permeable small molecule compound. Examples of this method include a method of adhering a polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone to a polyolefin fiber (Patent Document 3), a method of adhering a polyglycerin fatty acid ester (Patent Document 4), and two types of amphoteric surfactants to an alkyl phosphate ester salt. (Patent Document 5) and the like.
(3) A method of performing physical treatment such as plasma treatment and corona discharge treatment. As this method, there is a method of carbonylating the surface by exciting oxygen with high frequency energy under reduced pressure (Patent Document 6).

However, in the method (1) above, when a hydrophilic agent is added to a hydrophobic resin until it exhibits sufficient water permeability, the productivity is remarkably high because yarn breakage occurs during spinning due to the problem of compatibility with the resin. descend. Even if the hydrophilizing agent bleeds out to the fiber surface at a relatively early stage, there is a problem that the water permeability does not last for a long period of time and the durability is insufficient. Further, even if the method (2) is simple and has excellent initial water permeability, once the liquid has passed through, the water permeability is significantly reduced after it is dried, and it takes a very long time to obtain a dry touch. There are problems such as insufficient liquid return prevention and durable water permeability. The method (3) above is economical because the water permeability tends to deteriorate over time due to changes in the polar groups generated by the modification, and a special device is used for the modification, which requires a large amount of heat and electricity. Not the target.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 49-529 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-272006 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-1488779 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-216265 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-170076 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 50-73976

An object of the present invention is to impart excellent performance in terms of initial water permeability, durable water permeability, and liquid return prevention property to hydrophobic fibers constituting the surface material of sanitary materials such as disposable diapers and menstrual napkins. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrophobizing agent capable.

As a result of diligent research to achieve the above problems, the present inventors have found that a polyoxyalkylene aliphatic alcohol monofatty acid ester (A) having an affinity for hydrophobic fibers, a highly hydrophilic sulfosuccinic acid dialkyl ester or a salt thereof ( By combining B) and an alkylene oxide adduct (C) of a glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester having an affinity for the component (A) and the component (B) and having an effect of improving durable water permeability, the hydrophobic fiber can be treated. We have found a hydrophilic agent capable of imparting any of the properties of initial water permeability, durable water permeability and liquid return prevention property, and have completed the present invention.

That is, in the present invention, the polyoxyalkylene aliphatic alcohol monofatty acid ester (A) represented by the following general formula (1), the sulfosuccinic acid dialkyl ester represented by the following general formula (2) or a salt thereof (B), and 1 to 1 to The present invention relates to a hydrophilic agent comprising a component (C) which is an alkylene oxide adduct of a glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester having 30 oxyalkylene units as an essential component.

（式中、Ｒ_１は炭素数８～２２のアルキル基又はアルケニル基、Ｒ_２は炭素数７～２１のアルキル基又はアルケニル基、Ａ_１Ｏは炭素数２のオキシエチレン基、Ａ_２Ｏは炭素数３～４のオキシアルキレン基を表し、ｘは１～２０の整数、ｙは１０～６０の整数である。Ａ_１Ｏ及びＡ_２Ｏについてオキシアルキレン基の付加順は限定しておらず、付加する際の付加方法はブロック付加、又はランダム付加のいずれであってもよい。）

(In the formula, R ₁ is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R ₂ is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms, A ₁ O is an oxyethylene group having 2 carbon atoms, and A ₂ O is an oxyethylene group having 2 carbon atoms. It represents an oxyalkylene group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, x is an integer of 1 to 20, and y is an integer of 10 to 60. The order of addition of the oxyalkylene group is not limited for A ₁ O and A ₂ O. , The addition method at the time of addition may be either block addition or random addition.)

（式中、Ｒ_３及びＲ_４はそれぞれ独立して炭素数６～１０のアルキル基、Ａ_３Ｏは炭素数２のオキシエチレン基、ｚは１～１０の整数、ａは１又は２、Ｍは水素原子、アルカリ金属原子、アルカリ土類金属原子、アンモニウム又は有機アンモニウムを表す。）

(In the formula, R ₃ and R ₄ are independently alkyl groups having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, A ₃ O is an oxyethylene group having 2 carbon atoms, z is an integer of 1 to 10, a is 1 or 2, M. Represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal atom, ammonium or an organic ammonium.)

The present invention also relates to a thermoplastic synthetic fiber to which the hydrophilic agent is attached.

The present invention also relates to a nonwoven fabric to which the hydrophilizing agent is applied.

By applying the hydrophilizing agent of the present invention to the fiber, excellent performance can be exhibited in all of the initial water permeability, durable water permeability and liquid return prevention property of the fiber. Therefore, the hydrophilic agent of the present invention can be suitably used as a hydrophilic agent for non-woven fabrics and the like used for disposable diapers, sanitary products and the like.

Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be specifically described.
The polyoxyalkylene aliphatic alcohol monofatty acid ester (A) represented by the general formula (1) is an important component in that it exhibits durable water permeability and anti-return property. R ₁ is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and R ₂ is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms. Dodecyl group, tridecyl group, tridecenyl group, tetradecyl group, tetradecenyl group, pentadecyl group, hexadecyl group, heptadecyl group, heptadecenyl group, octadecyl group, isooctadecyl group, nonadesyl group, nonadecenyl group, icosyl group, henicosyl group, docosyl group. And so on.
When the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group or the alkenyl group is less than 7, the affinity with the fiber is lost and the durable water permeability and the liquid returnability are lowered. On the other hand, when the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group or the alkenyl group exceeds 22, the water permeability itself becomes insufficient and durability cannot be obtained.

A ₁ O represents an oxyethylene group having 2 carbon atoms, and A ₂ O represents an oxyalkylene group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms. x is an integer of 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 18, and when x exceeds 20, the water permeability increases, but the durable water permeability and the liquid return prevention property decrease. If x is less than 1, water permeability itself cannot be sufficiently obtained. y is an integer of 5 to 50, preferably 7 to 40, and if y is less than 5, durable water permeability is insufficient, and if y is more than 50, the hydrophobicity becomes too strong and sufficient water permeability cannot be obtained. The order of addition of the oxyalkylene group is not limited for A ₁ O and A ₂ O, and the addition method at the time of addition may be either block addition or random addition. Further, the component (A) may be composed of one kind or two or more kinds.

Specific examples of the component (A) represented by the general formula (1) include a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene octyl alcohol monofatty acid (C ₈ to C ₂₂ ) ester and a polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene octyl alcohol monofatty acid (C). ₈ to C ₂₂ ) Ester, Polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene lauryl alcohol monofatty acid ( _C8 to _C22 ) ester, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene lauryl alcohol monofatty acid ( _C8 to _C22 ) ester, polyoxyethylene polyoxy Propylene palmityl alcohol monofatty acid (C ₈ to C ₂₂ ) ester, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene palmityl alcohol monofatty acid (C ₈ to C ₂₂ ) ester, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene stearyl alcohol monofatty acid (C ₈ to C 22) ₂₂ ) Ester, Polyoxypropylene Polyoxyethylene Stearyl Alcohol Mono fatty acid (C ₈ to C ₂₂ ) ester, Polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene oleyl alcohol Monofatty acid (C ₈ to C ₂₂ ) ester, Polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene oleyl alcohol Examples thereof include monofatty acid (C ₈ to C ₂₂ ) esters, and more preferred among them are polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene 2-ethylhexyl alcohol monolaurate, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene 2-ethylhexyl alcohol monoolate, and poly. Oxypropylene Polyoxyethylene 2-ethylhexyl alcohol monoisostearate, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene stearyl alcohol monolaurate, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene stearyl alcohol monolaurate, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene stearyl alcohol monoolate, poly Examples thereof include oxypropylene polyoxyethylene stearyl alcohol monoolate and polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene stearyl alcohol monoisostearate.

The sulfosuccinic acid dialkyl ester salt (B) represented by the general formula (2) is an important component in terms of exhibiting initial water permeability. R ₃ and R ₄ are alkyl groups having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, which may be distributed and may be linear or branched, but having a branch improves the initial permeability. Examples of the alkyl group include a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a nonyl group, a decyl group and the like.
M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal atom, ammonium or an organic ammonium. Further, the component (B) may be composed of one kind or two or more kinds.

Specific examples of the component (B) represented by the general formula (2) include dioctyl Na sulfosuccinate, di2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate Na, and didecyl Na sulfosuccinate. Among these, di2-ethylhexyl Na sulfosuccinate and the like are preferable.

The component (C), which is an alkylene oxide adduct of the glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester, is an important component in terms of improving durable water permeability. Examples of the glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester include castor oil and hardened castor oil, and examples of the alkylene oxide include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide. The average number of moles of alkylene oxide added is 1 to 30, preferably 3 to 20, and when the number of moles added exceeds 30, the effect of imparting durable water permeability as a hydrophilic agent decreases. If the number of added moles is less than 1, the water permeability itself cannot be sufficiently obtained.

In order to fully exert the effect, the hydrophilizing agent of the present invention contains 60 to 90 of the component (A) when the total mass of the components (A), (B) and (C) is 100% by mass. It is preferable to contain% by mass, 5 to 20% by mass of the component (B), and 5 to 25% by mass of the component (C), and further, 75 to 90% by mass of the component (A) and 5 of the component (B). It is preferable to contain ~ 16% by mass and 7 to 20% by mass of the component (C). When the proportion of the component (A) exceeds 90% by mass and the proportion of the component (B) is less than 5% by mass, the initial water permeability becomes insufficient. Further, when the ratio of the component (A) is less than 60% by mass and the ratio of the component (B) exceeds 20% by mass, the initial water permeability is slightly improved, but the durable water permeability and the liquid return prevention property are remarkably lowered.

Further, in order to exhibit excellent performance in terms of initial water permeability, durable water permeability and liquid return prevention property, the components (A), components (B) and components (C) in the total non-volatile content of the hydrophilic agent are to be used. The total ratio is preferably 70 to 100% by mass, more preferably 80% by mass or more. The hydrophilizing agent may contain other components such as a penetrant, an emulsifier, an antistatic agent, an antifoaming agent, a pH adjuster, a preservative, an antioxidant, and an antibacterial agent, if necessary, but is hydrophilic. When the total ratio of the component (A), the component (B), and the component (C) to the total non-volatile content of the agent is less than 70% by mass, either the initial water permeability, the durable water permeability, or the liquid return prevention property is obtained. Or, it may not be possible to fully demonstrate all the performance.

The method for producing the hydrophilizing agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, and a known method can be adopted.
The polyoxyalkylene fatty alcohol monofatty acid ester of the component (A) can be produced, for example, by adding an alkylene oxide to an aliphatic alcohol under normal conditions and then subjecting it to an esterification reaction with a fatty acid.

The sulfosuccinic acid dialkyl ester of the component (B) or a salt thereof can also be produced by reacting an aliphatic alcohol with maleic anhydride and then reacting with a heavy sulfite under normal conditions.

The alkylene oxide adduct of the glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester of the component (C) can also be produced by adding alkylene oxide to castor oil or hardened castor oil under normal conditions.

Regarding the mixing of the component (A), the component (B) and the component (C), each component is charged in a container and then uniformly mixed at a temperature of 40 to 60 ° C. The produced hydrophilizing agent may contain water and / or a solvent for the purpose of improving the appearance stability of the hydrophilizing agent itself and the solubility at the time of dilution in water or the like.

The hydrophilic agent of the present invention can be used as a thermoplastic synthetic fiber for polyolefin fiber, fibrillated polyolefin fiber, polyester fiber, nylon fiber, vinyl chloride fiber and the like. Among them, it is preferably used for polyolefin fibers, and is preferably used for polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutene-1, polymethylpentene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butene-1 copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene-. One or two or more kinds can be arbitrarily selected and used from a vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, an ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer and the like.

Further, the hydrophilic agent of the present invention can be used for fabrics such as non-woven fabrics and woven and knitted fabrics. As the form of the non-woven fabric, a non-woven fabric mainly composed of staple fibers such as thermal bond non-woven fabric, chemical bond non-woven fabric, spunlace non-woven fabric, needle punch non-woven fabric, non-woven fabric made of long fibers such as spunbond non-woven fabric and melt blow non-woven fabric, and wet non-woven fabric by wet method. , A non-woven fabric made of short fibers such as an air-laid non-woven fabric, or a laminate thereof can be determined according to the intended use.

The non-woven fabric to which the hydrophilizing agent of the present invention is applied is a surface material that requires an absorber of sanitary materials such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, a butt wipe, a wet tissue, a cosmetic cotton, a wiper, a filter, and a toilet sheet for pets. It can be used for such purposes.

As a method of adhering the hydrophilic agent to the fiber, a method of applying the solution as a solution with a solvent such as water, a method of preparing a masterbatch or the like in advance, and a method of kneading with the resin at the time of producing the fiber may be used.

When the hydrophilizing agent of the present invention is applied, a solution diluted with a solvent such as water or an undiluted solution can be attached to the fiber, and the spinning step, stretching step, and crimping in the production of the above-mentioned non-woven fabric can be performed. It may be carried out by any of the steps and the like. As a method for adhering the hydrophilizing agent, there are known methods such as a dipping method, a spraying method, and a coating method using a kiss coater or a gravure coater, usually using a solution diluted with a solvent such as water. In the case of an aqueous solution, it is diluted with water to 0.1 to 50% by mass, but an emulsifier or a solubilizer may be used in combination if necessary. Further, as a method for drying the hydrophilic agent, a method of drying with hot air or infrared rays, a method of contacting with a heat source for drying, or the like may be used.

The amount of the non-volatile component adhered to the hydrophilic agent at the time of coating is 0.05 to 5.0% by mass, preferably 0.1 to 2.0% by mass, based on the polyolefin-based non-woven fabric. If the amount of adhesion is less than 0.05% by mass, sufficient water permeability cannot be obtained, and if the amount of adhesion exceeds 5.0% by mass, more wrapping occurs when the fiber is card-processed, resulting in significant productivity. It is lowered, and the obtained non-woven fabric becomes sticky and feels poor to the touch, making it unsuitable as a surface material for absorbent articles.

When the hydrophilic agent of the present invention is kneaded into a resin, a known mixing device may be used. For example, the mixture is mixed with a Henshell mixer, a super mixer or the like, and melt-mixed with a known short-screw or twin-screw extruder or the like. , It is good to make a masterbatch in advance. At this time, the polyolefin resin can be mixed with stabilizers such as antioxidants and ultraviolet rays, and additives such as titanium oxide, metal soap, carbon black, pigments, antibacterial agents, and lubricants, if necessary. ..

The amount of the hydrophilizing agent added in the case of kneading is 0.1 to 30% by mass, preferably 1 to 20% by mass with respect to the resin. If the amount of kneading is less than 0.1% by mass, sufficient water permeability cannot be obtained, and if it exceeds 30% by mass, the fiber strength is lowered and the productivity is significantly lowered, which is not preferable.

The polyolefin-based resin kneaded with the hydrophilic agent is melt-spun using a known melt-spinning machine. The spinning temperature is such that the hydrophilizing agent does not substantially deteriorate, and the resin is extruded at a spinning temperature of 180 to 300 ° C. to prepare a spinning filament having a predetermined fineness. The spun filament is stretched as needed. The stretching is preferably performed at a stretching temperature of 90 to 130 ° C. and a stretching ratio of 2 times or more because the fiber strength is improved. A fiber treatment agent may be attached to the obtained filament.

To produce a non-woven fabric from polyolefin fibers, short fibers (staple fibers) are obtained through the steps of melt spinning, stretching, crimping, heat treatment, and cutting, and then the non-woven fabric is obtained by the roller card method, or melted. It is possible to adopt a spunbond method or a melt blow method in which a non-woven fabric is directly produced by spinning, a wet molding method in which a yarn that has undergone a thread forming process is cut into short pieces and obtained through a dispersion, webization, and entanglement process. The spunbond method is particularly preferable for obtaining a nonwoven fabric having high tensile breaking strength, the melt blow method for obtaining a nonwoven fabric having a small basis weight, and the wet molding method for obtaining a nonwoven fabric having extremely high homogeneity.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Component (A): Synthesis of polyoxyalkylene alkyl alcohol monofatty acid ester-Synthesis of component (A1) 260 g of 2-ethylhexanol and 6.0 g of potassium hydroxide are charged in a 5 L autoclave, and the inside of the autoclave is replaced with nitrogen gas. The temperature is raised to 130 ° C. at a stirring speed of 300 rpm, and 2320 g of propylene oxide is gradually press-fitted and added at the same temperature. After aging at the same temperature for 3 hours and raising the temperature to 150 ° C., 220 g of ethylene oxide is press-fitted and added. After aging at the same temperature for 1 hour and cooling to 60 ° C., 400 g of lauric acid and 4.0 g of potassium hydroxide are charged and the temperature is raised to 220 ° C. After the temperature is raised, esterification is performed for 10 hours while performing nitrogen bubbling. After cooling to 60 ° C., neutralize with 10.6 g of glacial acetic acid, remove from the kettle, and add component (A1) (polyoxypropylene (20 mol) polyoxyethylene (5 mol) 2-ethylhexanol monolaurate). Obtained.

-Ingredients (A2) to (A8)
The following components (A2) to (A8) were synthesized by the same synthesis method as that of the component (A1).
Ingredient (A2): Polyoxypropylene (20 mol) Polyoxyethylene (5 mol) 2-Ethylhexanol monooleate Ingredient (A3): Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) Polyoxypropylene (20 mol) Lauryl alcohol monolaurate component (A4): Polyoxypropylene (15 mol) Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) Lauryl alcohol monooleate component (A5): Polyoxypropylene (10 mol) Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) Stearyl alcohol monooleate component (A6) :. Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) Polyoxypropylene (20 mol) Stearyl alcohol Monooleate component (A7): Polyoxypropylene (20 mol) Polyoxyethylene (25 mol) 2-Ethylhexanol component (A8): Polyoxypropylene (A8) 50 mol) Polyoxyethylene (5 mol) 2-ethylhexanol

Component (B): Synthesis of dialkyl sulfosuccinate metal salt / component (B1) 450 g of 2-ethylhexanol, 170 g of maleic anhydride, and 1 g of paratoluenesulfonic acid are charged in a 1 L autoclave, and gradually nitrogen bubbling is performed at a stirring rate of 250 rpm. The temperature is raised to 180 ° C., and after reaching 180 ° C., the reaction is carried out for 4 hours. After cooling to 60 ° C, 170 g of anhydrous sodium bisulfite was charged, the temperature was raised to 110 ° C while nitrogen bubbling, and the reaction was carried out for 2 hours. Ethylhexyl Na) was obtained.

Component (C): Synthesis of alkylene oxide adduct / component (C1) of glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester After 2640 g of hardened castor oil and 1.5 g of potassium hydroxide were charged in a 5 L autoclave, and the inside of the kettle was sufficiently replaced with nitrogen. , Warm to 130 ° C while performing nitrogen bubbling. After depressurizing the inside of the kettle at the same temperature and dehydrating for 1 hour, the temperature was raised to 150 ° C., and 1450 g of ethylene oxide was added to obtain component (C1) (polyoxyethylene (10 mol) cured castor oil). ..

-Ingredients (C2) to (C4)
The following components (C2) to (C4) were synthesized by the same synthesis method as that of the component (C1).
Component (C2): Polyoxyethylene (20 mol) Hardened castor oil Component (C3): Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) Castor oil component (C4): Polyoxyethylene (40 mol) Hardened castor oil

The components (A1) to (A8), the components (B1), and the components (C1) to (C4) were heated to 40 ° C. to 50 ° C. at the ratios (mass%) shown in Tables 1 and 2. If necessary, water and a solvent were added and mixed until uniform, and then each hydrophilizing agent was used.

For each of the hydrophilic agents shown in Tables 1 and 2, an aqueous solution is prepared in warm water at 40 ° C. so that the non-volatile content has a concentration of 5% by mass. Next, after immersing the polypropylene non-woven fabric (grain: 15 gsm) in the aqueous solution of each hydrophilic agent for 1 minute, a mangle tester is used so that the amount of the non-woven fabric of the hydrophilic agent adhered to the non-woven fabric is 0.5% by mass. And squeeze. Subsequently, the nonwoven fabric to which each hydrophilic agent was attached was dried at 80 ° C. for 30 minutes and then stored in a constant temperature and humidity chamber (20 ° C., 50% RH) for 24 hours to obtain a test cloth.

The amount of the hydrophilic agent adhered to the test cloth (W2) was determined by performing Soxhlet extraction of the nonwoven fabric sample (W1) to which the hydrophilic agent was attached using methanol. Then, the hydrophilic agent adhesion rate X (%) was obtained by the following calculation formula.
X (%) = 100 × W2 / W1

For artificial urine used in the liquid flow test, initial water permeability test, durable water permeability test, and liquid return test, urea: NaCl: regsvr ₄ : CaCl ₂ : water = 1.9: 0.78: 0.078: 0.029: Made with a 97.2% formulation.

The prepared test cloths were evaluated using the following test methods. The results are shown in Table 3.
(1) Liquid flow test Three layers of filter paper (ADVANTEC No. 2, 15 x 30 cm) are attached to an acrylic board with an inclination of 45 °. Next, a test cloth (15 x 30 cm) is attached on the filter paper. Subsequently, a line is drawn at the dropping position of the artificial urine, and 1 cc of the artificial urine is dropped from 1 cm above the test cloth using a pipette. After dripping, the vertical distance (mm) through which artificial urine flows is measured. The measured value shall be the average value of 5 measurements. The shorter the flow distance, the better the instantaneous water permeability.

(2) Initial water permeability test, durable water permeability test Using a liquid permeability measuring device "LISTER AC" manufactured by LENZING TECHNIK, EDANA RECOMMENDED TEST METHOD's NONWOVENS COVERSTOCK LIQUID STRIKE-THROUGH was performed. A test cloth (10 cm square) is placed on a filter paper (GRADE: 989 10 cm square x 3 sheets stacked) sold by INTEC Inc. Put. Next, 5 mL of artificial urine is dropped from a height of 25 mm from the surface of the test cloth at a rate of 25 mL / 3.5 seconds. The time from dripping to the passage of artificial urine through the surface of the test cloth was measured with a fluidity measuring device and used as the permeability time. Further, this was repeated 3 times to obtain a durable permeability test. The shorter the water permeability, the better the water permeability. Further, the shorter the second and third water permeation times are the same as the first water permeation time, the better the durable water permeation.

(3) Liquid return test Five filter papers (ADVANTEC No. 5A, 10 cm square) are stacked, and a test cloth (10 cm square) is placed on the filter paper. Next, after fixing a cylinder with an inner diameter of 12 mm on the test cloth, 10 mL of artificial urine is injected from the upper part of the cylinder and absorbed into the filter paper through the test cloth. When the artificial urine is absorbed by the filter paper, remove the cylinder and place two pre-weighed filter papers (ADVANTEC No. 5A, 10 cm square) on the test cloth. Then, a load of 3.5 kg is applied from the top of the filter paper for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, weigh the filter paper and calculate the weight increase to obtain the liquid return amount (g). The measured value shall be the average value of 5 measurements. The smaller the amount of liquid return, the better the liquid return prevention property.

By applying the hydrophilizing agent of the present invention to the fiber, excellent performance can be exhibited in all of the initial water permeability, durable water permeability, and liquid return prevention property of the fiber. Therefore, the hydrophilic agent of the present invention can be suitably used as a hydrophilic agent for polyolefin-based non-woven fabrics used for disposable diapers, sanitary products and the like.

Claims (6)

The polyoxyalkylene aliphatic alcohol monofatty acid ester (A) represented by the following general formula (1), the sulfosuccinic acid dialkyl ester represented by the following general formula (2) or a salt thereof (B), and 1 to 30 oxyalkylene units. A hydrophilic agent comprising an alkylene oxide adduct (C) of a glycerol hydroxy fatty acid ester having an essential component.

(In the formula, R ₁ is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R ₂ is an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms, A ₁ O is an oxyethylene group, and A ₂ O is an alkyl group having 3 to 21 carbon atoms. Represents 4 oxyalkylene groups, x is an integer of 1 to 20, y is an integer of 5 to 50. The order of addition of oxyalkylene groups is not limited for A ₁ O and A ₂ O, and when added. The addition method may be either block addition or random addition.)

(In the formula, R ₃ and R ₄ independently represent an alkyl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, and an alkaline earth metal atom.) When the total mass of the components (A), (B) and (C) is 100% by mass, the component (A) is 60 to 90% by mass, the component (B) is 5 to 20% by mass, and the component ( The hydrophilic agent according to claim 1, which contains 5 to 25% by mass of C). The hydrophilic agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the total ratio of the component (A), the component (B) and the component (C) to the total non-volatile content of the hydrophilic agent is 70 to 100% by mass. The hydrophilizing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is used for thermoplastic synthetic fibers. A thermoplastic synthetic fiber to which the hydrophilizing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is attached. A non-woven fabric to which the hydrophilic agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is applied.