KR20230036165A - Treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin synthetic fibers, polyolefin synthetic fibers and spunbond nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin synthetic fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

Improvement of the wettability of a treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers and improvement of durable hydrophilicity of spunbonded nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers are made a subject. A treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers is characterized by containing a specific ether ester compound and a specific ester condensate. A polyolefin synthetic fiber spunbonded nonwoven fabric is characterized in that a treatment agent for polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric is adhered thereto.

Description

Treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin synthetic fibers, polyolefin synthetic fibers and spunbond nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin synthetic fibers

The present invention relates to a treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, and spunbond nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers.

In general, polyolefin-based synthetic fibers are used as raw material fibers for nonwoven fabric. For example, nonwoven fabric is manufactured by a spunbond method using polyolefin synthetic fibers. A nonwoven fabric produced by the spunbond method is referred to as a spunbond nonwoven fabric. Functions such as durable hydrophilicity are imparted to the nonwoven fabric by applying an oil agent that functions as a treatment agent for nonwoven fabric. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Nonwoven fabrics endowed with functions such as durability and hydrophilicity are utilized in a wide range of fields, such as the field of sanitary materials, the field of medical care, and the field of civil engineering.

Patent Document 1 discloses a water permeability imparting agent as a treatment agent for nonwoven fabric containing an alkylene oxide adduct of a polyvalent active hydrogen compound. As a polyhydric active hydrogen compound, one in which a polyhydric alcohol having a valence of 3 to 6 and a fatty acid formed a partial ester is disclosed.

International Publication No. 2016/121673

By the way, in order to impart a function to a nonwoven fabric more effectively, it is necessary to more uniformly apply the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric to the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric. In order to more uniformly apply the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric, it is necessary to improve the wettability of the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric to the fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric. However, when the wettability of the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric is improved, the durable hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric tends to decrease. Therefore, it is mentioned as a subject to suitably improve both the wettability of the processing agent for nonwoven fabrics, and the durable hydrophilicity of nonwoven fabrics.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and its object is to suitably improve the wettability to fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric and to suitably improve the durable hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric. For nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin synthetic fibers to provide treatment. Moreover, it is to provide the polyolefin synthetic fiber to which the processing agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin type synthetic fiber adhered, and the spunbond nonwoven fabric made from polyolefin type synthetic fiber to which this processing agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin type synthetic fiber adhered.

The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers for solving the above problems is as a summary containing at least either one of the following 1st ether ester compound and the following 2nd ether ester compound, and the following ester condensate.

First ether ester compound: A compound in which a total of 1 to 500 moles of an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid.

Second ether ester compound: A compound in which an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added in a total ratio of 1 to 500 moles with respect to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid, and a fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms is condensed. compound.

Ester condensate: A condensate having a structural unit formed from a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and having a hydroxyl group and a carboxy group in the molecule, and having a degree of condensation of 1 to 5.

It is preferable that the content ratio of the said ester condensate is 0.01-20 mass % with respect to the said processing agent for nonwoven fabrics made from polyolefin type synthetic fiber.

The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, when the total content of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate is 100 parts by mass, the first ether ester compound and the second ether ester It is preferable to contain at least one selected from compounds in a proportion of 80 to 99.95 parts by mass and 0.05 to 20 parts by mass of the ester condensate.

Regarding the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, it is preferable that the hydroxycarboxylic acid is represented by the following formula (1).

(In Formula 1

R ¹ : A saturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms;

R ² : A hydrogen atom or a saturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 8 carbon atoms.)

Regarding the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, R ¹ in the formula (1) is preferably a saturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 10 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 10 carbon atoms.

Regarding the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, R ² in the above formula (1) is It is preferable that it is a C6-C8 saturated hydrocarbon group.

Regarding the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers, it is preferable that the ester condensate has a degree of condensation of 1 to 2 and has a cyclic molecular structure.

Polyolefin-based synthetic fibers for solving the above problems make it a summary that the processing agent for nonwoven fabric made of the above-mentioned polyolefin-based synthetic fibers is adhered.

A spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers for solving the above problems is based on adherence of a treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics made of polyolefin based synthetic fibers.

According to the present invention, the wettability of the treatment agent for polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric to the fibers constituting the polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric is suitably improved, and the durable hydrophilicity of the polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric can be suitably improved.

(First Embodiment)

A first embodiment in which a treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers (hereinafter, simply referred to as a treatment agent) according to the present invention is embodied will be described.

The processing agent of this embodiment contains at least either one of the following 1st ether ester compound and the following 2nd ether ester compound, and the following ester condensate.

First ether ester compound: A compound in which a total of 1 to 500 moles of an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid.

Second ether ester compound: A compound in which an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added in a total ratio of 1 to 500 moles with respect to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid, and a fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms is condensed. compound.

Ester condensate: A condensate having a structural unit formed from a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and having a hydroxyl group and a carboxy group in the molecule, and having a degree of condensation of 1 to 5.

When the treatment agent contains at least either one of the first ether ester compound and the second ether ester compound and the ester condensate, the wettability of the treatment agent to the fibers constituting the polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric is suitable as described later. it improves In addition, the durable hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers to which the treatment agent has adhered can be suitably improved.

The polyhydric alcohol is not particularly limited, and may be an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol or an aromatic polyhydric alcohol. Moreover, saturated aliphatic or unsaturated aliphatic may be sufficient as an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol.

Specific examples of the polyhydric alcohol include ethylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitan, and trimethylolpropane.

The said polyhydric alcohol may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

The monovalent fatty acid is not particularly limited, and may be a straight-chain fatty acid or a branched fatty acid. Moreover, a saturated fatty acid may be sufficient and an unsaturated fatty acid may be sufficient.

Specific examples of the monovalent fatty acid include 12-hydroxystearic acid, ricinoleic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, pentanoic acid, and octanoic acid.

The said monovalent fatty acid may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

In addition, natural oils and fats may be sufficient as the ester compound of the said polyhydric alcohol and monohydric fatty acid. Specific examples of natural fats and oils include coconut oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil, sesame oil, fish oil, and beef tallow.

The said natural fats and oils may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more types.

As a specific example of the said C2-C4 alkylene oxide, ethylene oxide, a propylene oxide, a butylene oxide etc. are mentioned, for example. Among these, ethylene oxide is preferable. The polymerization sequence is not particularly limited, and may be a random adduct or a block adduct.

The said C2-C4 alkylene oxide may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

It is preferable that the number of added moles of the alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is 5 to 120 moles.

In the first ether ester compound and the second ether ester compound, the ester compounds may be the same or different. Similarly, for an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, the first ether ester compound and the second ether ester compound may be the same or different.

The fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms in the second ether ester compound is not particularly limited, and may be a straight-chain fatty acid or a branched fatty acid. Moreover, a saturated fatty acid may be sufficient and an unsaturated fatty acid may be sufficient.

Specific examples of the fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms include lauric acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, octylic acid, behenic acid, and maleic acid.

The said C4-C26 fatty acid may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

The hydroxycarboxylic acid having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, which is a structural unit of the ester condensate, is preferably represented by the following formula (2).

(In Formula 2

R ¹ : A saturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms;

R ² : A hydrogen atom or a saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.)

R ¹ in formula (2) is preferably a saturated hydrocarbon group of 8 to 10 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group of 8 to 10 carbon atoms.

R ² in formula (2) is preferably a saturated hydrocarbon group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms. When the carbon number of the saturated hydrocarbon group is 6 to 8, the durable hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers can be more suitably improved.

It is preferable that the said ester condensate has a condensation degree of 1-2, and has a cyclic molecular structure.

The content ratio of the ester condensate in the treatment agent is not particularly limited. It is preferable that the content rate of the ester condensate in a processing agent is 0.01-20 mass %.

There is no particular restriction on the content ratio of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate in the treatment agent. If the total content of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate is 100 parts by mass, the treatment agent contains 80 to 99.95 parts by mass of at least one selected from the first ether ester compound and the second ether ester compound. , It is preferable to contain the ester condensate in a proportion of 0.05 to 20 parts by mass.

When the content ratio of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate is within the above numerical range, the wettability of the treatment agent to the fibers constituting the polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric is more suitably improved as described later. In addition, the durable hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers to which the treatment agent has adhered can be more suitably improved.

The processing agent may contain other components.

Specific examples of other components include, for example, ionic surfactants such as anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants in amphoteric compounds, or nonionic surfactants, monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and wax compounds. , silicone compounds, and the like.

As an ionic surfactant, a phosphoric acid ester type ionic surfactant and a sulfonic acid ester type ionic surfactant are mentioned, for example. As a specific example of a phosphoric acid ester type ionic surfactant, lauryl phosphoric acid ester potassium salt, butyl phosphoric acid ester potassium salt, etc. are mentioned, for example. As a specific example of a sulfonic acid ester type ionic surfactant, the alkyl (C 12-C 16) sulfonic acid sodium salt etc. are mentioned, for example.

Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyether nonionic surfactants, ether nonionic surfactants, and ester nonionic surfactants. As a specific example of an ether type nonionic surfactant, the compound which added 10 mol of ethylene oxide with respect to 1 mol of lauryl alcohol, and the compound which added 120 mol of propylene oxide with respect to 1 mol of pentaerythritol are mentioned, for example. .

As a specific example of ester type nonionic surfactant, the compound etc. which added 20 mol of ethylene oxide with respect to 1 mol of stearic acid are mentioned, for example.

These other components may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

There is no particular restriction on the content ratio of the other components in the treatment agent. It is preferable that the processing agent contains other components in a ratio of 1 to 30 parts by mass with respect to a total of 100 parts by mass of the content of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate.

(Second Embodiment)

A second embodiment embodying the polyolefin-based synthetic fibers and the spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers according to the present invention will be described. The processing agent of the 1st embodiment adheres to the polyolefin synthetic fiber of this embodiment.

Here, polyolefin-based synthetic fibers shall mean synthetic fibers synthesized from olefins and alkenes as monomers. Hereinafter, polyolefin-based synthetic fibers are simply referred to as synthetic fibers.

As a specific example of a synthetic fiber, a polyethylene type fiber, a polypropylene type fiber, and a polybutene type fiber are mentioned, for example. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. Further, as the polypropylene fibers, modified polypropylene fibers copolymerized with various monomers, composite polypropylene fibers of polyethylene and polypropylene, and the like may be used.

Further, it is a composite fiber of a core-sheath structure, and either or both of the core and the sheath are polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene/polypropylene composite fibers and polyethylene/polyester composite fibers in which the sheath portion is polyethylene fiber. do.

Although there is no particular restriction on the amount of the treatment agent of the first embodiment to be adhered to the synthetic fibers, it is preferable to adhere the treatment agent (without solvent) to the synthetic fibers in an amount of 0.1 to 2% by mass, or 0.3 to 1.2% by mass. It is more preferable to

As a method for adhering the treatment agent to the synthetic fiber, for example, a known method using an aqueous solution containing the treatment agent of the first embodiment and water or a further diluted aqueous solution is used, such as a dipping method, a spray method, and a roller method, a method of attaching by a guide lubrication method using a metering pump, etc. can be applied.

The spunbond nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers (hereinafter, simply referred to as nonwoven fabric) according to the present invention is manufactured by a spunbond method.

The method for producing a nonwoven fabric by the spunbonding method preferably goes through the following steps 1 to 7.

Process 1: The raw material supply process of supplying the raw material resin of synthetic fiber to an extruder.

Step 2: A melting/extruding step of heating and melting raw resin in an extruder and extruding it with a nozzle equipped with a spinneret.

Step 3: A spinning/stretching step in which melt spinning is performed from a nozzle and further, the melt spun fibers are drawn using an ejector.

Step 4: A collecting/conveying step in which the fibers that have passed through step 3 are collected on a conveyor to form a web, and the web is further conveyed by the conveyor.

Step 5: A fusion step of fusing the fibers through passing the web that has passed through step 4 between a pair of heated rollers.

Step 6: Adhering step of adhering the processing agent of the first embodiment to the nonwoven fabric formed through step 5 above.

Process 7: Winding-up process of winding the nonwoven fabric which passed through the said process 6 around the winding-up roller.

By passing through the above process, the nonwoven fabric of this embodiment can be manufactured.

According to the processing agent of 1st Embodiment, and the synthetic fiber and nonwoven fabric of 2nd Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

(1) The treatment agent of the first embodiment contains a predetermined ether ester compound and a predetermined ester condensate. Accordingly, the wettability of the treatment agent to polyolefin-based synthetic fibers is suitably improved.

(2) By adhering the treatment agent of the first embodiment, the durable hydrophilicity of the spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers can be suitably improved.

The above embodiment can be implemented with changes as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range that is not technically contradictory.

- In 2nd Embodiment, although the synthetic fiber to which the processing agent adhered was a polyolefin synthetic fiber, it is not limited to this aspect. A treatment agent may be attached to synthetic fibers other than polyolefin synthetic fibers. Similarly, a treatment agent may be attached to a spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of synthetic fibers other than polyolefin synthetic fibers. Examples of synthetic fibers other than polyolefin synthetic fibers include polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, polyacrylonitrile fibers, cellulose fibers, and lignin fibers. These fibers may be composite synthetic fibers composed of two or more types.

Specific examples of polyester fibers include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polylactic acid, and composite polyesters containing these polyester resins. A fiber etc. are mentioned. Examples of the polyester fibers include modified polyester fibers such as basic or acid dyeable polyester fibers, antistatic polyester fibers, and flame retardant polyester fibers.

In addition, although the nonwoven fabric to which the processing agent adhered was a spunbond nonwoven fabric, it is not limited to this aspect. You may make a processing agent adhere to nonwoven fabric other than a spunbond nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric other than a spunbond nonwoven fabric shall mean a nonwoven fabric in which a web is formed by a method other than the spunbond method.

Examples of web forming methods other than the spunbond method include dry methods such as a card method and an airlaid method, and wet methods such as a papermaking method, when the raw material fibers are short fibers. Further, in the case where the raw fiber is a long fiber, a melt blown method or a flash spinning method may be used. In addition, as the inter-fiber bonding method, a chemical bond method, a thermal bond method, a needle punch method, a spun lacing method, a stitch bond method, and the like are exemplified.

The treatment agent is used as a stabilizer for maintaining the quality of the treatment agent, an antistatic agent, an antistatic agent, a coupling agent, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, and a defoaming agent (silicone-based compound), etc. It may contain ingredients that are

Example

Hereinafter, examples and the like are given to explain the configuration and effects of the present invention in more detail, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, in the description of the following Examples and Comparative Examples, % means mass %.

Test division 1 (preparation of treatment agent for polyolefin synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric)

(Examples 1 to 40 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7)

The first ether ester compounds (A1-1 to A1-10) shown in Tables 1 and 2 were prepared by the following method. In addition, in A1-1 to A1-4 shown in Table 1, natural fats and oils were used as ester compounds of polyhydric alcohols and monohydric fatty acids.

In A1-1, 933 g (1 mol) of castor oil and 2 g of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst were added into the autoclave to replace the atmosphere with nitrogen gas, then 4400 g (100 mol) of ethylene oxide was injected, followed by an etherification reaction. did

Subsequently, 40 g of a known inorganic synthetic adsorbent was added to the liquid subjected to the etherification reaction, and the mixture was stirred at about 80°C for 30 minutes. Then, it was transferred to a filter pre-coated with diatomaceous earth, and the inorganic synthetic adsorbent adsorbed with the sodium hydroxide catalyst was removed to prepare A1-1. A1-2 to A1-4 were also prepared according to the synthesis method of A1-1.

The type and number of moles of the ester compound and the type and number of moles of the alkylene oxide in the first ether ester compound are as shown in the "ester compound" and "alkylene oxide" columns in Table 1.

As shown in Table 2, in A1-5, 62 g (1 mol) of ethylene glycol as a polyhydric alcohol and 600 g (2 mol) of 12-hydroxystearic acid as a monohydric fatty acid were charged into a reaction vessel, and an esterification reaction was carried out. did After adding the ester compound obtained by the esterification reaction and 2 g of potassium hydroxide as a catalyst into an autoclave to replace the atmosphere with nitrogen gas, 1408 g (32 moles) of ethylene oxide was injected into the autoclave to conduct an etherification reaction.

Subsequently, 17 g of a known inorganic synthetic adsorbent was added to the liquid subjected to the etherification reaction, and the mixture was stirred at about 80°C for 30 minutes. Thereafter, the mixture was transferred to a filter pre-coated with diatomaceous earth, and the inorganic synthetic adsorbent adsorbed with the potassium hydroxide catalyst was removed to prepare A1-5. A1-6 to A1-10 were also prepared according to the synthesis method of A1-5.

The type and number of moles of the ester compound and the type and number of moles of the alkylene oxide in the first ether ester compound are as shown in the "ester compound" and "alkylene oxide" columns in Table 2.

In addition, the second ether ester compounds (A2-1 to A2-20, Ra-1, and Ra-2) shown in Tables 3 and 4 were prepared by the following method. In addition, in A2-1 to A2-12 shown in Table 3, natural fats and oils were used as ester compounds of polyhydric alcohols and monohydric fatty acids.

In A2-1, after adding 933 g (1 mol) of castor oil and 2 g of sodium hydroxide as a catalyst into an autoclave to replace the atmosphere with nitrogen gas, 660 g (15 mol) of ethylene oxide and 348 g (6 mol) of propylene oxide mol) was press-in, and an etherification reaction was performed.

Subsequently, 16 g of a known inorganic synthetic adsorbent was added to the liquid subjected to the etherification reaction, and the mixture was stirred at about 80°C for 30 minutes. Then, it was transferred to a filter pre-coated with diatomaceous earth, and the inorganic synthetic adsorbent adsorbed with the sodium hydroxide catalyst was removed.

The liquid from which the sodium hydroxide catalyst was removed and 600 g (3 mol) of lauric acid as a fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms were charged into a reaction vessel, and an esterification reaction was performed to prepare A2-1. A2-2 to A2-12 were also prepared according to the synthesis method of A2-1.

The type and number of moles of the ester compound in the second ether ester compound, the type and number of moles of the alkylene oxide, and the type and number of moles of the fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms are "ester compound" in Table 3, "alkylene oxide", As indicated in the column "Fatty Acid".

As shown in Table 4, in A2-13, 62 g (1 mol) of ethylene glycol as a polyhydric alcohol and 600 g (2 mol) of 12-hydroxystearic acid as a monohydric fatty acid were charged into a reaction vessel to conduct an esterification reaction. did After the ester compound obtained by the esterification reaction and 2 g of potassium hydroxide as a catalyst were added into the autoclave to replace the atmosphere with nitrogen gas, 1408 g (32 moles) of ethylene oxide was injected into the autoclave to effect an etherification reaction.

Subsequently, 17 g of a known inorganic synthetic adsorbent was added to the liquid subjected to the etherification reaction, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 30 minutes. Then, it was transferred to a filter pre-coated with diatomaceous earth, and the inorganic synthetic adsorbent adsorbed with the potassium hydroxide catalyst was removed.

The liquid from which the potassium hydroxide catalyst was removed and 847 g (3 moles) of oleic acid as a C4-C26 fatty acid were charged into a reaction container, and an esterification reaction was performed to prepare A2-13. A2-14 to A2-20, Ra-1 and Ra-2 were also prepared according to the synthesis method of A2-13.

The type and number of moles of the ester compound in the second ether ester compound, the type and number of moles of the alkylene oxide, and the type and number of moles of the fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms are "ester compound" in Table 4, "alkylene oxide", As indicated in the column "Fatty Acid".

In addition, ester condensates (B-1 to B-21, Rb-1 to Rb-3) shown in Table 5 were prepared. Such an ester condensate may be a commercial item or may be manufactured by a known method. When manufacturing by a known method, it can manufacture by dehydration condensation reaction of the hydroxyl group contained in a raw material, and a carboxy group, for example.

In Table 5, R ¹ and R ² shall mean a hydrocarbon group or a hydrogen atom in the hydroxycarboxylic acid having 6 to 22 carbon atoms represented by the above formula (2).

The type of R ¹ in the ester condensate, the type of R ² , the number of carbon atoms of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, the degree of condensation, and the molecular structure are "R ¹ ", "R ² ", and "carbon number" in Table 5. , "Degree of condensation" is as shown in the column "Molecular structure". In addition, in the "Molecular Structure" column, "○" is assigned to the "cyclic" column, meaning that it has a cyclic molecular structure, and "○" is assigned to the "chain" column. It means having a molecular structure.

Next, using each component shown in Table 6, it added to the beaker so that the 1st ether ester compound (A1-1) might become 99.5 mass part and the ester condensate (B-1) might become 0.5 mass part. These were stirred well to prepare a treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers of Example 1.

The treatment agents for polyolefin-based synthetic fiber nonwoven fabrics of Examples 2 to 40 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the respective components shown in Table 6. The type and content of the ether ester compound in the processing agent of each case, the type and content of the ester condensate, and the type and content of other components are "ether ester compound ( A)" is as shown in the "ester condensate (B)" and "other components (C)" respectively.

The details of C-1 to C-7 described in the other component (C) column of Table 6 are as follows.

C-1: lauryl phosphate ester potassium salt

C-2: butyl phosphate ester potassium salt

C-3: Alkyl (12 to 16 carbon atoms) sulfonic acid sodium salt

C-4: polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 600)

C-5: A compound obtained by adding 10 moles of ethylene oxide to 1 mole of lauryl alcohol

C-6: A compound obtained by adding 120 moles of propylene oxide to 1 mole of pentaerythritol

C-7: Compound obtained by adding 20 moles of ethylene oxide to 1 mole of stearic acid

Test division 2 (manufacture of polyolefin-based spunbond nonwoven fabric)

Using the treatment agent prepared in Test Division 1, a polyolefin-based spunbond nonwoven fabric was produced.

That is, the treatment agent prepared in the test section 1 was diluted with water to obtain an aqueous solution having a concentration of 0.25% by mass. A treatment bath (bath temperature: 25°C) was prepared using this aqueous solution, and a polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric (weight per unit area: 20 g/m ² ) was immersed in the treatment bath for 5 minutes and taken out. 2 g of this polypropylene spunbonded nonwoven fabric was compressed by adjusting the compression ratio with a mangle so that the amount of adhesion of the aqueous liquid was 4 g, and then blow-dried at 80 ° C. for 30 minutes to obtain a treated nonwoven fabric having an adhesion amount of solid content of 0.5% by mass.

Test Category 3 (Assessment)

For the processing agents of Examples 1 to 40 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7, wettability to nonwoven fabrics was evaluated as an evaluation item for fairness. In addition, as an evaluation item of the nonwoven fabric, the durable hydrophilicity of the nonwoven fabric to which the treatment agent was adhered was evaluated. The order of each test is shown below.

(wettability)

Each treatment agent described in Examples and Comparative Examples was heated to about 70°C. Each heated treatment agent was added to ion-exchanged water heated to about 50°C while stirring to prepare a 10% aqueous solution of the treatment agent.

Next, the polypropylene nonwoven fabric to which the treatment agent was not applied was humidified at 20°C in a constant temperature room with a relative humidity of 60% for 24 hours.

10 μl of a 10% aqueous solution of each treatment agent was dripped on the nonwoven fabric which was humidified. The penetration of the treatment agent into the nonwoven fabric was visually observed. The time until the treatment agent completely permeated was measured and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the column "Wettability" in Table 6.

・Evaluation criteria for wettability

◎ (Good): When penetrated in less than 4 seconds

○ (possible): 4 seconds or more and penetration in less than 6 seconds

× (defective): when penetrated for 6 seconds or more

(durable hydrophilicity)

The spunbond nonwoven fabric produced in test division 2 was cut into small pieces of 10 cm × 10 cm. This small piece-shaped nonwoven fabric was humidified for 24 hours at 20°C in a constant temperature room with a relative humidity of 60%.

The humidified nonwoven fabric was placed on a five-ply laminated filter paper. Again, on the central portion of the nonwoven fabric, a cylinder having an inner diameter of 1 cm with both ends open was placed so that the axial direction was the vertical direction.

Into the inside of this cylinder, 10 ml of 0.9% physiological saline was injected. A state in which the physiological saline was absorbed into the nonwoven fabric was visually observed, and the time until the physiological saline was completely absorbed was measured.

Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was taken out, and warm air at 40°C was blown to the nonwoven fabric for 90 minutes to blow dry. After drying by air, a test was conducted in which the nonwoven fabric was again humidified to absorb physiological saline solution, repeated three times. The result of the 3rd time was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in the "durable hydrophilicity" column of Table 6.

・Evaluation criteria for durable hydrophilicity

◎ (Good): When the time required for complete absorption of physiological saline is less than 5 seconds

○ (possible): When the time required for complete absorption of physiological saline is 5 seconds or more and less than 7 seconds

× (poor): when the time required for physiological saline to be completely absorbed is 7 seconds or longer

From the results of Table 6, according to the present invention, the wettability of the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers to polyolefin-based synthetic fibers is suitably improved. Further, the durable hydrophilicity of the spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers to which the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin based synthetic fibers is attached can be suitably improved.

The present invention also includes the following aspects.

(Note 1)

A treatment agent for nonwoven fabric characterized by containing at least either one of the first ether ester compound described below and the second ether ester compound described below, and an ester condensate described below.

First ether ester compound: A compound in which a total of 1 to 500 moles of an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid.

Second ether ester compound: A compound in which an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added in a total ratio of 1 to 500 moles with respect to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid, and a fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms is condensed. compound.

Ester condensate: A condensate having a structural unit formed from a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and having a hydroxyl group and a carboxy group in the molecule, and having a degree of condensation of 1 to 5.

(Note 2)

The nonwoven fabric processing agent according to Appendix 1, wherein the content of the ester condensate is from 0.01 to 20% by mass.

(Note 3)

When the total content ratio of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate is 100 parts by mass, at least one selected from the first ether ester compound and the second ether ester compound is 80 to 99.95 The processing agent for nonwoven fabrics according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, which contains parts by mass and the ester condensate in a proportion of 0.05 to 20 parts by mass.

(Bookkeeping 4)

The nonwoven fabric treatment agent according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the hydroxycarboxylic acid is represented by the following formula (3).

(R ¹ : A saturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

R ² : A hydrogen atom or a saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.)

(Bookkeeping 5)

The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein R ¹ in the formula (3) is a saturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 10 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 10 carbon atoms.

(Note 6)

The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric according to Supplementary Note 4 or 5, wherein R ² in the formula (3) is a saturated hydrocarbon group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms.

(Bookkeeping 7)

The nonwoven fabric processing agent according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the ester condensate has a degree of condensation of 1 to 2 and has a cyclic molecular structure.

(Bookkeeping 8)

A polyolefin-based synthetic fiber characterized by adhering the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric according to any one of Appendix 1 to 7.

(Bookkeeping 9)

A spunbond nonwoven fabric characterized by adhering the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.

Claims (9)

A treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers characterized by containing at least either one of the following first ether ester compound and the following second ether ester compound and the following ester condensate:
First ether ester compound: a compound in which an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added in a total ratio of 1 to 500 moles per mole of the ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid;
Second ether ester compound: A compound in which an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is added in a total ratio of 1 to 500 moles with respect to 1 mole of an ester compound of a polyhydric alcohol and a monohydric fatty acid, and a fatty acid having 4 to 26 carbon atoms is condensed. compound;
Ester condensate: A condensate having a structural unit formed from a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and having a hydroxyl group and a carboxy group in the molecule, and having a degree of condensation of 1 to 5. The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers according to claim 1, wherein the content of the ester condensate is 0.01 to 20% by mass. The first ether ester compound and the second ether ester according to claim 1 or 2, when the total content of the first ether ester compound, the second ether ester compound, and the ester condensate is 100 parts by mass. A treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers, containing at least one selected from compounds in a proportion of 80 to 99.95 parts by mass and the ester condensate in a proportion of 0.05 to 20 parts by mass. The treatment agent for polyolefin-based synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hydroxycarboxylic acid is represented by the following formula (1):
[Formula 1]

(In Formula 1
R ¹ : A saturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms;
R ² : A hydrogen atom or a saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.) The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers according to claim 4, wherein R ¹ in the formula (1) is a saturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 10 carbon atoms or an unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 8 to 10 carbon atoms. The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers according to claim 4 or 5, wherein R ² in the formula (1) is a saturated hydrocarbon group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms. The treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ester condensate has a degree of condensation of 1 to 2 and has a cyclic molecular structure. A polyolefin-based synthetic fiber characterized by adhering the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A spunbonded nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin synthetic fibers, characterized by adhering the treatment agent for nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin based synthetic fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 7.