JPH0482961A - Treating agent for producing nonwoven fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a treating agent for production of nonwoven fabric containing a specific alkyl phosphate and a polyether-modified silicone at a specific weight ratio, having excellent initial water permeability, repeating water permeability and reversing property and suitable for hygienic material. CONSTITUTION:The aimed treating agent containing (A) an alkyl phosphate having 8-18C alkyl group which is in the range of 30-80:70-20 in wt. ratio of 8-12C alkyl group to 14-18C alkyl group and (B) polyether-modified silicone at a weight ratio of the component A: the component B of 70-95:30-5. A polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester fiber or composite structure fiber using two or more kinds of fibers thereof is impregnated with the above-mentioned treating agent to apply the treating agent to the fiber or these fibers at an amount of 0.05-2wt.%, preferably 0.1-0.8wt.% and then the impregnated fiber is treated according to the prescribed method to form a nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric having uniform structure can be produced by using the treating agent and nonwoven fabric having characteristics suitable to hygienic material is obtained without treating with additional other treating agent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a treatment agent for producing a nonwoven fabric that can produce a nonwoven fabric that has a uniform structure and has properties suitable for sanitary materials.

[Conventional technology]

Nonwoven fabrics are used in sanitary materials such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins. By covering the side of the absorbent body that contacts the human body, which absorbs body fluids such as urine or blood, with a nonwoven fabric, the absorbent body that absorbs body fluids is prevented from coming into contact with the skin, and a clean feeling can be maintained.

Methods for manufacturing the nonwoven fabric used here include methods for bonding fibers using adhesives, and heat-fusion methods for melting and bonding the surfaces of fibers.The latter method is suitable for mass production. In recent years, the floor (has been done.

In the heat fusion method, the spun fibers are made into short fibers, which are then made into a card (
In this method, a thin film-like web is created by passing it through a carding machine, and if necessary, after overlapping several webs, the intersections of the fibers are heated and fused to produce a nonwoven fabric.

When producing a uniform nonwoven fabric using this production method, the fibers are required to have good card passability. If the card passability is poor, the fibers may become densely packed together to form what looks like pilling (hereinafter referred to as "neps"), or coarse and dense portions may occur in the web. During heat fusion, these may cause the amount of heat applied to uniformly stain various parts of the web, cause fibers to melt, or cause poor adhesion.

In order to improve the card passageability, a fiber treatment oil is used, for example, an oil whose main component is polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, etc. is used.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Conventionally used processing oils for producing nonwoven fabrics do not exhibit their full effectiveness.

In recent years, various fiber materials have been developed for use in producing nonwoven fabrics. For example, based on high melting point polymers,
There are fibers that are molded so that a low melting point polymer forms a sheath around them, fibers that are molded so that one side is a high melting point polymer and the other side is a low melting point polymer, and fibers that are molded so that the cut surface is irregularly shaped.

These fibers dissolve only on the fiber surface or a part of the surface when heated, and were developed to produce nonwoven fabrics using a heat fusion method. Even after treatment, sufficient spinning properties could not be obtained in the carding process, etc., and it was not possible to produce a nonwoven fabric with a uniform structure.

On the other hand, when using nonwoven fabrics manufactured in this way as sanitary materials, water permeability is required to allow body fluids to reach the absorbent material, especially in disposable diapers, which require urination several times a day. It is required to have properties such as water permeability that can withstand repeated cycles, and reversibility to prevent oozing out when pressure is applied to the absorbent body that has absorbed body fluids.

In order to impart these properties to nonwoven fabrics, a treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics is used, and a method using an alkyl phosphate potassium salt as the treatment agent (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 163044, 1983,
6-58001), a method using a mixture of sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-38453), etc., but these treatment agents have low water permeability, repeated water permeability, and The reversibility performance was poor.

In addition, the method of using a treating oil agent in the process of manufacturing nonwoven fabrics used for sanitary materials, and then treating the nonwoven fabric with a treatment agent to impart properties suitable for sanitary materials after manufacturing the nonwoven fabrics is also economical due to the number of steps. This was a method with many problems.

The present invention has been achieved by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of producing a nonwoven fabric having a uniform structure when used in the production of nonwoven fabric, and which can be used as a sanitary material without the need for additional treatment with a processing agent. The object of the present invention is to provide a processing agent for producing nonwoven fabrics that can produce nonwoven fabrics having suitable properties.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors conducted intensive research and found that by using a specific mixed alkyl phosphate ester salt and polyether-modified silicone, a uniform structure can be created without the occurrence of neps or coarse/density. The present inventors have discovered a processing agent for producing a nonwoven fabric that can produce a nonwoven fabric that has properties suitable for sanitary materials, and have completed the present invention.

That is, in the present invention, in (A) an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, the ratio of the alkyl group having 8 to 12 carbon atoms to the alkyl group having 14 to 18 carbon atoms is the respective weight ratio. and (B) polyether-modified silicone in a weight ratio of (A)=(B)=70-95:30-5. It is a processing agent.

The mixed alkyl phosphate ester salt (A) used in the present invention has an alkyl group containing 8 to 12 carbon atoms (hereinafter referred to as a "medium chain alkyl group"), and an alkyl group containing 14 to 12 carbon atoms (hereinafter referred to as "medium chain alkyl group"). 18 alkyl group (hereinafter referred to as “long chain alkyl group J
) is an alkyl phosphate ester salt having a weight ratio of 30 to 80:70 to 20, which is obtained by separately synthesizing the phosphate ester salt of a medium chain alkyl group and the phosphate ester salt of a long chain alkyl group. The higher alcohol having 8 to 12 carbon atoms and the higher alcohol having 14 to 18 carbon atoms are mixed in the above ratio and used to prepare the alkyl phosphate ester salt. It can be obtained by synthesis. If the medium-chain alkyl group in the alkyl phosphate ester salt is less than 30% by weight and the long-chain alkyl group exceeds 70% by weight, the water solubility will decrease and the aqueous solution will become unstable, resulting in uneven adhesion to raw cotton. This occurs, making it impossible to obtain uniform performance, and furthermore, it is not possible to prevent the generation of static electricity during the carding process, and the initial water permeability of the nonwoven fabric is also insufficient.

Furthermore, if the medium-chain alkyl group is more than 80% by weight and the long-chain alkyl group is less than 20% by weight, the oil agent will have high stickiness and neps will easily occur in the flow process, causing water to permeate into the nonwoven fabric after molding. At times, the bleeding becomes widespread and causes discomfort to the user.

To produce an alkyl phosphate ester salt, for example, generally, phosphorus pentoxide is added to a higher alcohol and reacted, and this is further neutralized with an alkaline aqueous solution. Alcohol having 8 to 12 carbon atoms and alcohol having 14 to 18 carbon atoms in a ratio of 30 to 80:7
Even when alcohols mixed at a weight ratio of 0 to 20 are used, the reaction can be performed in the same manner as above.

Examples of alcohols having 8 to 12 carbon atoms used in the synthesis of phosphoric esters of medium-chain alkyl groups include octyl alcohol,
Examples include isooctyl alcohol, nonyl alcohol, caprylic alcohol, undecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, and alcohols that are mixtures thereof.
4-18 alcohols include myristyl alcohol,
Examples include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and a mixture thereof.

Examples of the salt constituting the alkyl phosphate salt include sodium and potassium.

Examples of the polyether-modified silicone (B) used in the present invention include silicone oil obtained by copolymerizing dimethylpolysiloxane and polyether, which is water-soluble or self-emulsifying, and has a viscosity of 100% at 250C.
Modified silicones of ~400 cst are preferred.

The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric production of the present invention contains (A) alkyl phosphate ester salt and (B) polyether-modified silicone in a weight ratio of (A): (B) = 70-95:30-5. Or preferable. If the ratio of (A) and (B) is less than 70% by weight of (A) and more than 30% by weight of (B), static electricity will be generated under low humidity during the carding process, and water will permeate through the nonwoven fabric after forming. When this happens, bleeding tends to increase.

If (A) exceeds 95% by weight and (B) exceeds 5% by weight, the water permeability rate and repeated water permeability of the nonwoven fabric will decrease.

The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric production of the present invention contains (A) an alkyl phosphate ester salt and (B) a polyether-modified tesilicone in the above ratio, and if necessary, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene Polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, fatty acid alkylolamides, etc. can also be blended.

The blending ratio is preferably 20% by weight or less.

The treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics of the present invention is suitable for producing nonwoven fabrics made from fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and fibers having a composite structure using two or more of these fibers.

When using the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric production of the present invention, it is possible to improve each process of nonwoven fabric production and provide the nonwoven fabric with the performance required for sanitary materials, so it is preferable to oil the raw cotton before opening. Furthermore, if necessary, the nonwoven fabric can be oiled after production to further improve its performance.

The amount of the processing agent for nonwoven fabric production is 0.00% relative to the fibers of the nonwoven fabric.
05 to 2% by weight is preferable, more preferably 0.1 to 0
．． It is 8% by weight.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto unless it exceeds the gist thereof.

〔Example〕

Example 1 100 g of phosphorus pentoxide was added to 250 g of octyl alcohol and reacted for 3 hours at 50°C. Next, 150 g of a 50% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution was added to carry out a neutralization reaction to obtain octyl phosphate potassium salt.

The obtained octyl phosphate potassium salt and CI4~
18 mixed alcohol (myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol: stearyl alcohol - 10: 40:
Polyether silicone 5H3746(
20 g of Toshi Silicon Co., Ltd.) was added to obtain a treatment agent for nonwoven fabric production.

Then, it was scoured by immersing it in 40°C warm water for 20 minutes.Made of polyolefin synthetic fiber (Chisso), 2d x 5mm)
20g was immersed in 100g of a 0.3% aqueous solution of the above treatment agent, then the fibers were taken out and squeezed so that the amount of treatment agent impregnated was the same as the fibers, dried at 80°C for 1 hour, and oiled. Treatment (oil supply rate after drying: 0.3% by weight) was performed.

The above fibers were opened using a cotton opening machine (manufactured by Yamato Kiko ■), and then heated at 25°C150 using a carding machine (manufactured by Yamato Kiko @).
The fibers were carded under conditions of %RH, and the card passage rate, condition of the carded web, winding into the cylinder, amount of charge of the web at the exit of the docker, and amount of neps generated were measured. The results are shown in Table 1 as card passability.

The resulting 300 x 300 mm web was sandwiched between two 300 x 300 mm stainless steel wire meshes (25 meshes) and left to stand in a hot air dryer for 1 minute to heat-seal, thereby preparing a nonwoven fabric. The strength, initial water absorption, and
The reversibility and water permeability were measured repeatedly, and the results are shown in Table 1 as properties of the nonwoven fabric.

Card Passability Test Method 0 Card Passage Rate and Electricity Generated The weight of the web continuously discharged was measured and expressed as a percentage with respect to 100 g of raw cotton supplied to the carding machine. In addition, the amount of electricity (25° C. 150% R1 ()) generated during the web discharge was measured using a Kasuga current collector potential measuring device.

0 web condition The condition of the discharged web was visually evaluated.

0 Wrapping around the cylinder After 100 g of raw cotton was carded, the winding of the fibers around the carding machine and the cylinder clothing was visually evaluated.

0 Nep incidence The number of neps generated on 20 g of web was measured and expressed as the nep incidence.

Nonwoven Fabric Performance Test Method 0 Initial Water Permeability Test One drop of physiological saline is gently dropped using a syringe onto the surface of the nonwoven fabric under test, and the time required for the water droplets on the surface to permeate and disappear is measured.

0 Reversal performance test Using a commercially available paper diaper, remove the nonwoven fabric from the surface, place the sample nonwoven fabric on the batting containing pulp and polymer absorbent, and drop 60 g of physiological saline onto it. After dropping, place a pre-weighed filter paper (10cm
m) Place 15 sheets on top of each other and immediately weigh 40 g/c.
After applying a load of nr and leaving it for 1 minute, the weight of the filter paper was measured, and the amount of increase was taken as the amount of reversion.

0 Repeated water permeability test The test nonwoven fabric was layered on top of the batting of a commercially available disposable diaper, and a stainless steel cylinder (5 cm
mφ, internal volume 100 mA'), pour 50 ml of physiological saline into the cylinder, and measure the time it takes for the physiological saline to be absorbed. The same operation was repeated by replacing the filling, and water permeability was determined by repeating the number of times until the absorption time reached 5 minutes or more.

0 Bleeding Evaluation Test In the initial water permeability test, after water droplets penetrated, the size of the bleeding area was visually evaluated.

Examples 2 to 4, Reference Examples 1 to 4, Comparative Examples 1 to 2 Seven types of alkyl phosphate ester salts were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and a commercially available polyether-modified silicone was added thereto.
A treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics was obtained. Table showing the composition of each treatment agent.
Shown in 1.

The obtained treatment agent for nonwoven fabric production was evaluated for card passability and properties of the obtained nonwoven fabric using polyolefin synthetic fibers in the same manner as in Example 1, and the results are shown in Table 1.

In addition, as comparative examples, tests were conducted in the same manner using Cs~1□ alkyl phosphate potassium salt (Comparative Example 1) and C04~18 alkyl phosphate potassium salt (Comparative Example 2).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention uses an alkyl phosphate ester salt prepared by mixing a medium-chain alkyl phosphate ester salt and a long-chain alkyl phosphate ester salt in a specific ratio, and a polyether-modified silicone is mixed therein in a specific ratio. The resulting composition is used as a treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics.Using the treatment agent for producing nonwoven fabrics of the present invention allows the production of nonwoven fabrics with a uniform composition, and the resulting nonwoven fabric is treated with a new treatment agent. Miyoshi Yushi Co., Ltd. Patent applicant Miyoshi Yushi Co., Ltd. has characteristics suitable for sanitary materials even without treatment, and can easily produce nonwoven fabrics suitable for sanitary materials through simple processes

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. (A) In the alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, the ratio of the alkyl group having 8 to 12 carbon atoms to the alkyl group having 14 to 18 carbon atoms is 30 by weight, respectively. A nonwoven fabric comprising an alkyl phosphate ester salt consisting of ~80:70-20 and (B) polyether-modified silicone in a weight ratio of (A):(B) = 70-95:30-5. Processing agent for manufacturing.