JPH05132860A - Liquid softening and finishing agent - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the subject finishing agent capable of imparting softness and resilience to various fibers by blending specific amounts of a neutralized or a quaternized specific amine compound and a specified nonionic surfactant as essential components. CONSTITUTION:A household liquid softening and finishing agent is obtained by neutralizing a di-long-chain type amine compound expressed by formula I or II [R1 is 11-23C saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon; R2 is 12-24C saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon; R is 1-24C saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon; (m) is 1-6] with an inorganic or an organic acid or quaternizing the amine compound with CH3Cl and blending (a) the resultant substance with (b) a nonionic surfactant expressed by formula III, IV or V [R4 is 12-24C saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon; R5 is H or (EO)r(PO)sH (EO is oxyethylene; PO is oxypropylene; (p+q) or (p+q+r+s) is 1-10] in an amount of 1-100 pts.wt. (in the liquid softening and finishing agent) based on 100 pts.wt. component (a). The resultant agent is improved in preservation stability and excellent in biodegradability.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a softening finish, and more particularly to a household liquid softening finish which can impart excellent flexibility and elasticity (puffiness) to various fibers.

[0002]

2. Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention
Most of the products sold as household softening agents are 1
It is a composition containing a quaternary ammonium salt having 1-2 long-chain alkyl groups in the molecule as a main component. The reason for this is that a small amount of quaternary ammonium salt has a good softening effect on various fibers.

The above-mentioned quaternary ammonium salt has a remarkable softening effect on cotton, but acrylic type,
The effect cannot be said to be sufficient for synthetic fibers such as polyester type and polyamide type, and if treated at a higher concentration, the elasticity of the garment may be reduced and the texture may be impaired. Further, when it is stored for a long period of time, it may thicken, gel, or separate, especially at low temperatures.
For this reason, various polyoxyethylene-based nonionic activators, electrolytes, and solvents other than the soft component are required, and many of them are mixed for stabilization, but the effect is still insufficient.

The above-mentioned softening agents having a quaternary ammonium salt as a main base are usually commercially available as 4 to 20% dispersions,
It is used. However, since the quaternary ammonium salt has a strong hydrophobicity, when it is added to the rinse water, when the stirring force is weak, the dispersibility in water is poor, and therefore the clothing may be uneven. Commercially available softeners contain various additives in addition to the above quaternary ammonium salt to improve the dispersibility in water, but the effect is still insufficient.

Further, liquid softening finishes having various amines as softening bases have been conventionally known. For example, JP-A-52-59
7965 discloses a composition for imparting flexibility to a fiber containing a long-chain alkylamine such as methyldi (hardened tallow alkyl) amine, and JP-A-58-6070 discloses an acylated alkanolamine, a water-soluble composition. A fiber material finishing agent that imparts smoothness and a comfortable feel to a fiber containing a quaternary ammonium salt and a fatty acid ester is disclosed in JP-A-61-167083. Quaternary ammonium compounds, higher fatty acids and hydroxy lower alkyls. A softener having good dispersibility containing a polyamine polyglycol ether is disclosed in JP-A-61-275474. , JP Sho
64-85368 discloses a softening composition containing a dilong chain alkylamine-anionic surfactant ion pair complex, a non-silicone wax and a liquid carrier, and JP-A-2-6662 discloses hydroxy lower alkyl. A fabric conditioning composition containing an amine such as a condensate of an alkylenediamine and a higher fatty acid and an amphoteric fabric conditioning agent is disclosed in JP-A-2-14076, which is a softening agent containing a dilong-chain alkylamine-polyfunctional carboxylic acid complex. , A fabric conditioning composition that imparts antistatic properties. Further, JP-A-52-5394 describes a fabric condition-controlling composition containing an antistatic agent containing a mono- or di-long-chain alkylalkylenediamine and a quaternary ammonium softener.

Although the softener containing these amines is relatively better in dispersibility and storage stability than the softener containing a quaternary ammonium salt, the softening performance is still insufficient. Recently, there is a growing concern over the impact on the environment all over the world, and a base material having excellent biodegradability and the like is beginning to be demanded as a softening finishing agent. However, the softeners containing these amines shown above are not sufficiently effective in this respect as well.

[0007]

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that a neutralized product or a quaternized product of a specific (dilong chain type) amine compound has excellent flexibility. Moreover, they have found that elasticity (puffiness) can be imparted to clothes, and have reached the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides the following (a) component and (b)
The present invention provides a liquid softening finish characterized by containing components as essential components.

(A) A neutralized or quaternized product of an inorganic or organic acid of a compound represented by the general formula (A) or (B).

[0010]

[Chemical 3]

[Wherein R ₁ has 11 to 23 carbon atoms, preferably 13 carbon atoms]
-21, particularly preferably 15-19 linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, R ₂ has 12 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 14 to
22, particularly preferably 16 to 20 linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, R ₃ has 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 14 to 2
2, particularly preferably 16 to 20 linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, R is a C1 to C24 optionally having a substituent such as a hydroxyl group, preferably a straight chain of 1 to 3 A chain or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, m represents a number of 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 3. (B) One or more nonionic surfactants represented by the following general formulas (C), (D) and (E) are used in an amount of 1 to 100 with respect to 100 parts by weight of the component (a). Parts by weight.

[0012]

[Chemical 4]

[Wherein R ₄ is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, and R ₅ is H or-(EO) _r (PO) _s
Represents H, where EO represents an oxyethylene group, PO represents an oxypropylene group, and p + q or p + q + r + s is 1 to 100.
Represents the integer. ].

Of the component (a) used in the present invention, typical examples of the amine represented by the general formula (A) include alkanolamines such as N-long chain alkylethanolamine, and C 12-24 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include ester amines obtained by reaction with fatty acids or fatty acid methyl esters. Also,
As a typical example of the amine represented by the general formula (B), N-long-chain alkylaminopropanoic acid obtained by adding acrylic acid to N-long-chain alkylethanolamine or fatty acid methyl ester and a long-chain having 10 to 24 carbon atoms. Examples thereof include ester amines obtained by reaction with chain alcohols. As the fatty acid or long-chain alcohol used in these reactions, naturally-derived ones such as coconut oil, palm oil, beef tallow, rapeseed oil, and fish oil are generally used, but chemically synthesized fatty acids or long-chain alcohols are also available. Good. As the acid for obtaining the neutralized product of the component (a), inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, toluenesulfonic acid, etc. Organic acids of.
Further, as a quaternizing agent for obtaining a quaternary compound, CH ₃ Cl
Etc. In the present invention, the component (a) is preferably added to the liquid softening finish in an amount of 4 to 40% by weight, preferably 6 to 30% by weight, and particularly preferably 10 to 25% by weight.

Since the component (a) used in the present invention has an ester group in the molecule, it is excellent in biodegradability and has a characteristic that it is a base which does not cause a problem in the natural environment. Is one.

The component (b) of the liquid softening finish of the present invention is a nonionic surfactant represented by the above general formulas (C), (D) and (E). Specifically, PO, EO adduct of long chain alcohol or long chain amine compound, or polyethylene glycol,
Examples include polypropylene glycol. Each of these can be easily synthesized from the alcohol or amine compound used as the raw material. (b) is compounded in an amount of 1 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight, and particularly preferably 1 to 10 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the component (a).

The liquid softening agent of the present invention can be obtained, for example, by slowly adding a melt or concentrate of the amine compound of the component (a) to an aqueous solution containing a neutralizing agent with stirring or shear mixing. However, the method is not limited to this method, and the neutralized product can be obtained by a method such as preliminarily producing the neutralized product or post-adding the neutralized product.

The softening agent of the present invention may be further modified with a silicone compound such as dimethylpolysiloxane or dimethylpolysiloxane partially modified with an amino group or a polyoxyalkylene group, particularly preferably partially modified with a polyoxyalkylene group. By blending the dimethylpolysiloxane described above, it is possible to improve the feel of the softly treated clothing without impairing the water absorption. These silicone compounds are
It is preferable to add 0.3 to 5% by weight to the component (a).

The softening agent of the present invention has almost the same softening effect as that of the hardened tallow alkyldimethylammonium chloride which has been widely used in the past, but surprisingly, it has elastic elasticity. Do you get it.

When the composition of the present invention is used as an aqueous liquid softening agent, an inorganic electrolyte such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride or magnesium chloride is added in an amount of 0.05 to 0.4 in order to adjust the viscosity.
Addition by weight% is desirable.

The liquid softening agent of the present invention has high stability for long-term storage, but for further stabilization under severe storage conditions, a solvent such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin or urea. Etc. can be blended. Also known as soft bases are esters, nonionic or cationic compounds, long chain alcohols,
You may use together long-chain fatty acid etc. It is also possible to incorporate pigments or dyes for the appearance of the product, fluorescent brighteners for the whiteness of the finish, and fragrances for a good taste when used and after the finish.

[0022]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION The softening agent of the present invention is capable of imparting sufficient flexibility and antistatic properties to various fibers, imparting excellent elasticity, and excellent biodegradability.

[0023]

EXAMPLES The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Examples 1 to 13 and Comparative Example 1 Using the softening agents prepared by using the components (a) shown in Table 1 and the components (b) shown in Table 2 in the compounding amounts shown in Table 3, the following evaluations were made. I went.

[0025]

[Table 1]

[0026]

[Table 2]

<Preparation Method of Liquid Softening Finish> The nonionic surfactant as the component (b) is added and dissolved in water at 50 ° C. with stirring. Next, a melt of the amine as the component (a) was added, and after the addition was completed, an acid was added to obtain a dispersion of the amine neutralized product. In the case of a quaternary compound, a nonionic surfactant was added, and then a melt of an amine quaternary compound was added to obtain a dispersion liquid of the quaternary compound. 1) Evaluation of flexibility and elasticity (1) Treatment method Commercial cotton towel 2kg, acrylic jersey 1kg 3.5 °
After washing with a commercially available detergent attack (Kao Co., Ltd., registered trademark) 5 times with DH hard water (30 liter washing machine) to remove the fiber treatment agent attached to each fiber, the composition of Table 3 was used. 1.5 g of the active ingredient was added and treated at 25 ° C. for 1 minute under stirring. (2) Evaluation method The cloth treated by the above method was air-dried indoors, and then left in a constant temperature and humidity room at 25 ° C and 65% RH for 24 hours. The softness and elasticity of these cloths were evaluated. For the evaluation of softness and elasticity, pairwise comparison was carried out using a cloth treated with 10 cc of a softening agent consisting of 15% by weight of dihydrogenated tallow alkyldimethylammonium chloride as a control. The evaluation is expressed as follows. +2; softer or more elastic than the control +1; slightly softer or more elastic than the control 0; same as the control -1; slightly softer or less elastic than the control -2; more control Is softer or less elastic than the control

[0028]

[Table 3]

As shown in Table 3, (a) according to the present invention,
By using the compound (b), the effect of satisfying both flexibility and elasticity can be obtained.

Examples 14 to 16 and Comparative Example 2 In order to evaluate the elasticity of the compositions having the formulations shown in Table 4, the pile height of cotton towels was measured. <Evaluation of elasticity> A cotton towel treated in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 13 is folded into eight and stacked up by stacking three sheets, and 5 g / cm ²
After pressurizing with the pressure of 5 minutes for 5 minutes, the pressure was removed and the height of the towel was measured. The higher the towel height, the better the elasticity.

[0031]

[Table 4]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A liquid softening finish containing the following components (a) and (b) as essential components. (a) A neutralized or quaternized product of an inorganic acid or an organic acid of a compound represented by the general formula (A) or (B). [Chemical 1] [In the formula, R ₁ is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, R ₂ is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, R ₃ Is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 10 to 24 carbon atoms, R is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, m represents a number from 1 to 6. (B) One or more nonionic surfactants represented by the following general formulas (C), (D) and (E) are used in an amount of 1 to 100 with respect to 100 parts by weight of the component (a). Parts by weight. [Chemical 2] [In the formula, R ₄ represents a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, R ₅ represents H or-(EO) _r (PO) _s H, and EO represents oxyethylene. The group PO represents an oxypropylene group, and p + q or p + q + r + s represents an integer of 1-100. ]