WO1993018118A1

WO1993018118A1 - Textile lubricant compositions

Info

Publication number: WO1993018118A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/000495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Spencer Williams; Robin Duncan Brinham
Original assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Plc
Priority date: 1992-03-12
Filing date: 1993-03-10
Publication date: 1993-09-16
Also published as: GB9205376D0

Abstract

A textile lubricant composition, characterised in that it comprises: (a) a compound of formula (I): X[AR]n wherein X is the residue of an active hydrogen-containing organic mono- or poly-amine or -amide, or ammonia, following removal of n hydrogen atoms; A is a random or block polyoxyalkylene residue comprising 6 to 160 alkylene oxide residues of 2 to 4 carbon atoms each; R is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; and n is any integer, provided that each AR segment may be the same or different; with the proviso that, where X is the residue of an ethylenediamine or N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-[2-hydroxyalkyl]-ethylenediamine, the compound has a molecular weight of less than 10,000; and (b) at least one additive selected from an antistatic agent, a cohesion aid, an emulsifier and a secondary lubricant; and (c) optionally a corrosion inhibitor and/or an antioxidant; method of producing it, and process of lubricating textile yarn or fibre with it.

Description

TEXTILE LUBRICANT COMPOSITIONS'. This invention relates to a textile lubricant composition, a method of making it, a process for coating a textile yarn or fibre with the composition, and product coated with the composition.

In textile lubricant compositions it is known to use polyalkoxylated alcohols as lubricants, as is described for example in the sales brochure "Emkarox Polyalkylene Glycols, Properties and Applications", published by Imperial Chemical Industries pic. Such lubricants may be used in textile lubrication applications. Polyalkoxylated alcohols are normally used in compositions containing an antioxidant. However, even when formulated with an antioxidant, lubricants tend to degrade at temperature above 250^* C.

EP-A 197355 discloses a specific class of "reverse" polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer polyethers based on ethylenediamine or N,N,N' ,N' -tetrakis-[2-hydroxyalkyl ]ethylenediamine , which may be used in fibre finish _^compositions .

These copolymers must have a molecular wei-ght from about 10,000 to 30,000, and polyoxyethylene blocks which make up 60 to 95% of the total polymer residue. EP-A 197355 also discloses ions. Polyalkoxylated alcohols are normally used in compositions containing an antioxidant. However, even when formulated with an antioxidant, lubricants tend to degrade at temperature above 250^"C.

EP-A 197355 also discloses that other members of the same general class of "reverse" polyoxyethylene- polyoxypropylene copolymer polyethers based on ethylenediamine fail to exhibit as high a lubricity as the specific class of copolymers. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a textile lubricant composition, comprising

(a) a compound of formula (I) X[AR] (I) wherein

X is the residue of an active hydrogen-containing organic mono- or poly-amine or -amide, or ammonia, following removal of n hydrogen atoms; A is a random or block polyoxyalkylene residue comprising 6 to 160 alkylene oxide residues of 2 to 4 carbon atoms each;

R is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; and n is any integer, provided that each AR segment may be the same or different; with the proviso that, where X is the residue of a ethylenediamine or N,N,N' ,N'-tetrakis[2-hydroxyalkyl]ethylenedi¬ amine, the compound has a molecular weight of less than 10,000; and

(b) at least one additive selected^' from an antistatic agent, a cohesion aid, an ennllsifier and a secondary lubricant, and

(c) optionally a corrosion inhibitor and/or an antioxidant.

Within the compound of formula (I), X is the residue of an active hydrogen-containing organic mono- or poly-amine or -amide, or ammonia, following removal of n hydrogen atoms. The active formally- removed n hydrogen atoms may be on the or any of the nitrogen atoms of the active hydrogen-containing organic mono- or poly-amine or -amide, or ammonia, or in the first two cases it or they may be on any N-substituent(s) , for example on the oxygen atom of any hydroxyalkyl N-substituent, such as a 2-hydroxyalkyl N-substituent.

The compound of formula ( I ) may suitably be present in the composition as 10 to 90, preferably 20 to 85, more preferably 30 to 85, and especially 10 to 80 wt. of the total composition.

The average molecular weight of the compound may be up to about 30,000 (subject to the above proviso), but is preferably less than 20,000.

It is preferred that the compound has an average molecular weight of at least 200, for example 200 to 10,000, more preferably from 300 to 8,000, even more preferably from 600 to 5,000, most preferably from 750 to 3,500.

Suitably, the compound may have a viscosity of from 10 to 2000 centistokes at 40°C, preferably from 10 to 1500 centistokes, more preferably from 100 to 800 centistokes, as measured by ASTM D445. X ^ma be the residue of

(a) a mono- or poly-amine, i.e. an amine being or having one or more primary and/or preferably secondary amine groups, or

(b) a mono- or poly-amide i.e. an amide having one or more amide groups, It is suitably has a total of 1 to 200 carbon atoms, for example 1 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 15 carbon atoms, in which the N-substituents are as appropriate optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl (including heteroaryl), alkylene, cycloalkylene and/or arylene ( including heteroarylene ) . X also preferably has 1 to 100 amino or amido groups, for example 1 to 35, and more preferably from 1 to 6.

Suitable compounds of the formula ( I ) for use in the composition of the present invention include those wherein n preferably has a value of 1 to 100, for example 1 to 20. n may more preferably be 1 to 12, still more preferably 1 to 8, especially 1 to 4. In such compounds, X suitably is a residue of

(a) an optionally substituted mono- or dialkylamine, or a substituted trialkylamine, for example butylamine, alkyldiethanolamine or alkyltriethanolpropylenediamine, wherein the alkyl group has 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably

9 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably 13 to 15 carbon atoms, and especially where the alkyl group is a mixture of C13 and C15 alkyl chains in the ratio of 70:30, 50% of these groups being linear and the balance comprising mainly

2-methyl species;

(b) a mono-, di- or tri-alkanolamine, for example ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, propanolamine, dipropanolamine or tri- propanolamine, and

(c) a residue of an optionally substituted alkylene- diamine, for example ethylenediamine,

N,N,N' ,N'-tetrakis-[2-hydroxyalkyl]ethylenedi¬ amine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, propylenediamine, dipropylene- triamine, tri- propylenetetramine or piperazine, or a piperazine derivative.

Each polyoxyalkylene residue A preferably comprises 10 to 140 alkylene oxide residues of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms. Preferred compounds of the formula ( I ) are those in which each A comprises ethylene oxide and propylene oxide residues in the molar ratio range of from 1:5 to 5:1, more preferably from 1:3 to 3:1, still more preferably from 1:1 to 3:1, and especially 1:1 to 3:2.

Each R is suitably hydrogen, or alkyl or aryl containing 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 15, more preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or butyl.

The compounds of '.he formula ( I ) may in general be prepared by reacting the corresponding active hydrogen-containing organic mono- or poly-amine or -amide, or ammonia, with the appropriate alkylene oxide successively or simultaneously, the amounts for reaction being dependent on the required viscosity and average molecular weight of compounds of the formula (I) .

The reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a suitable catalyst. "

The catalyst is typically a base, for e~xample sodium methoxide, sodium borohydride, sodium hydroxide, and/or potassium hydroxide, preferably in amounts up to 5 wt.% on total reactants.

Other compounds which are suitable catalysts include Lewis acids, for example boron trifluoride, mineral acids and p-toluenesulphonic acid.

The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a solvent, including a hydrocarbon for example toluene, but is usually conducted in the absence of any solvent.

The reaction is suitably carried out at a temperature of 100 to 180^"C, preferably 150 to 160^"C for ethoxylation, 105 to 115'C for propoxylation or butoxylation, or 105 to 130^'C, preferably 100 to 180°C for reaction with a mixture of alkylene oxides. The reaction is suitably carried out at elevated pressure, preferably 1.5 to 12, more preferably 1.5 to 8 bar absolute. The derivative formed by reaction 1 mole equivalent of ethylenediamine or piperazine respectively with 4 or 2 mole equivalent of propylene oxide is suitable for initiating the foregoing polymerisation.

In the composition of the present invention, suitable antistatic agents include for example quaternary amine salts, phosphate esters, ethoxylated phosphate esters, alkyl phosphonates, alkyl sulphonates, ether sulphates and/or sulphosuccinates.

Antistatic agents are suitably present as 5 to 40, preferably 10 to 25, wt.% of the total composition.

Cohesion aids which may be used include non-ionic surfactants, polyisobutylenes, polyvinyl alcohols, castor oil ethoxylates and copolymers for example Synperonic PE LFB26 and Synperonic PE L26 (available from ICI) .

Cohesion aids are preferably present as 1 to 50, more preferably 5 to 20, wt.% of the total composition.

Emulsifiers which may be used include non-ionic surfactants, for example nonyl phenyl ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated amines and polyalkylene glycol esters, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, for example quaternary surfactants, such as Synperonic 35X2QS (available from ICI), and/or alkyl polyglucosides. Emulsifiers are suitably present as 5 to 60, more preferably 10 to 25, wt.% of the total composition.

Suitable secondary lubricants include polyalkylene glycol esters, fatty acid esters, propylenediamine polymers, phosphate esters, mineral oils and polyoxyalkylated alcohols.

Secondary lubricants may be present as 5 to 35 , preferably 10 to 25, wt.% of the total composition. Optional corrosion inhibitors which may be used include carboxylic acids, preferably those having from 9 to 22 carbon atoms, for example oleic acid and half-esters of alkenylsuccinic acids, N-acylsarcosine and benzotriazole. Optional corrosion inhibitors are preferably present as 0.01 to 10, more preferably 0.1 to 5, wt.% of the total composition.

Optional antioxidants include for example Irganox 1010 (available from Ciba-Geigy), butylhydroxyanisole, phenothiazine, hydroquinone monomethyl ether and butylhydroxytoiuene, and may be present as 0.01 to 10, more preferably 0.1 to 5, wt.% of the total composition.

The additives and the amounts employed are selected according to the desired application of the textile lubricant composition; they fulfil specific functions while the thermal stability and lubricity of the compound of formula (I) is maintained. The additives may have multiple functions; for example TWEEN 60 (available from ICI), acts as an antistatic agent, a cohesion aid and a secondary lubricant.

The amounts of the above components are based on the active components only. The composition may suitably supplied and transported substantially anhydrous, and diluted with a vehicle, for example isopropanol, butyl diglycol, or preferably water, for use. In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a textile lubricant product which comprises the present composition, dissolved or emulsified in a vehicle. Such a product may comprise up to 95, more suitably 40 to 90, preferably 45 to 90, wt.% of the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a textile lubricant composition according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising admixing a compound of formula (I) with at least one additive as hereinbefore defined and optionally a corrosion inhibitor and/or an antioxidant.

The admixing is preferably carried out such as to provide an essentially homogeneous composition.

Where the composition comprises an emulsifier and at least one other additive, it is preferred that the compound of formula (I) and the emulsif-ier are admixed prior to the addition of the other additive(s ) .

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of the composition according to the first aspect of the invention as a textile lubricant composition.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process of lubricating textile yarn or fibre, which comprises contacting a textile yarn or fibre, with a composition according to the first aspect of the invention. Such textile yarn or fibre may be a natural material, for example a cellulosic textile such as cotton, flax, jute, hemp and ramie or wool, or a regenerated cellulosic textile such as viscose rayon. Such textile yarn or fibre may be a synthetic material, such as a partially orientated yarn .for example of polyester, or a fibre for example for example a continuous, flat or staple fibre for example of polyester, polyamide (for example nylon 66) or bulked carpet fibre, polypropylene or polyethylene.

The composition may be applied to the textile yarn or fibre by any convenient method, for example by passing the textile yarn or fibre, over a rotating wheel which passes through a reservoir of the composition and thereby transfers the composition to the yarn or fibre.

The composition may also be applied for example by passing the textile yarn or fibre along a groove in a plate, the groove having means to supply the composition to it, thereby contacting the textile yarn or fibre with the composition. ^' ..

The composition is suitably applied to the yarn or fibre at a rate of 0.05 to 5, preferably 0.1^' to 2, and more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt.% on the yarn or fibre.

The invention is illustrated but not limited by the following Examples.

Example 1

Preparation of a Piperazine Initiated Polyoxyalkylene

Textile Lubricant (Coded as Piperazine 31-130)

Piperazine (5.5kg) was charged to a reactor and mixed with a solution of potassium hydroxide (126g) in water (90 ) at ambient temperature and pressure. Nitrogen was then bubbled through the reaction mixture until a pressure of 2 bar absolute was obtained.

5 The reaction mixture was then heated to a temperature of 120 to 125^*C.

A mixture of eth lene oxide and propylene oxide (6kg, 3:1 weight ratio) was added to the reaction mixture over 1 hr. , during which the pressure

10 increased to 3.4 bar absolute.

On completion of the addition, the reaction mixture was maintained at a temperature of 120 to 125^*C for 1 hr. The reaction mixture was then stripped for 1 hr. at about 110°C, under a pressure-

,g of 15mm H . Nitrogen was then bubbled through the reaction mixture until a pressure of 2 bar absolute was obtained.

The reaction mixture was then reheated to a temperature of about 120°C, and a further mixture of

20 ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (39.5kg, 3:1 weight ratio ) was added to the reaction mixture over 6.5 hr., during which the pressure increased-to 6.8 bar absolute. On completion of the addition, the reaction mixture was maintained at a temperature of 5 120 to 125^*C for 1 hr. The reaction mixture was then stripped for 1 hr. at about 110^*C, under a pressure of 5 to 15mm Hg.

30 kg of the product of the second stripping process was left at ambient temperature for 30 min. , and then heated under atmospheric pressure at about 0 180"C for 1 hr. in order to dehydrate it.

Nitrogen was then bubbled through the reaction mixture until the pressure increased to 2 bar absolute. A further mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (20kg, 3:1 weight ratio) was added to ■. the reaction mixture over 3 hr., during which the temperature was maintained at about 115^*C and the « 5 pressure increased to 6.2 bar absolute. On completion of the addition, the reaction mixture was maintained at a temperature of 110 to 115^*C for 3 hr.

The reaction mixture was then stripped for 1 hr. 10 at about 110^*C, under a pressure of 5 to 15mm H .

The product of the above process was demineralised using Ambosol 500 demineralising/neutralising agent (1kg) (commercially available from S.F. Hoechst ) and Primsil 741 filter 5 aid (0.3kg) (commercially available from Manville de France S.A.). The mixture was heated at about 110'C for 1 hr. , and then filtered using a Gauthier filter at about 110'C.

Piperazine 31-130 (54.5kg) was obtained, 0 viscosity 126 centistokes at 40'C.

Example 2

Preparation of a Piperazine Initiated Polyoxyalkylene

Textile Lubricant (Coded as Piperazine 31-220) ^*-

22 Piperazine (26kg) was charged to a reactor and mixed with a solution of potassium hydroxide (630g) in water (570g) at ambient temperature and pressure. Nitrogen was then bubbled through the reaction mixture until a pressure of 2 bar absolute was

__ obtained. ' The reaction mixture was then heated to a temperature of 120"C, and maintained at that temperature for 1.5 hr. A mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (24.5kg, 3:1 weight ratio) was added to the reaction mixture over 2.15 hr., during which the pressure increased to 4.8 bar absolute. On completion of the addition, the reaction mixture was maintained at a temperature of 125 to 145^*C for 1 hr. The reaction mixture was then stripped for 1.5hr at about 110^*C, under a pressure of 5 to 15mm Hg.

The reaction mixture was then reheated to a temperature of about 115^*C, and a further mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (259.5kg, 3:1 weight ratio) was added to the reaction mixture over

12.25 hr. , during which the pressure increased to 7.7 bar absolute.

On completion of the addition, the reaction mixture was maintained at a temperature of about 115^*C for 1 hr. The reaction mixture was then stripped for 1 hr. at about 110^*C, under a pressure of 5 to 15mm Hg.

107kg of the product of the second stripping process was mixed with a solution of potassium hydroxide (414g) in water (346g) at ambient temperature and pressure. The reaction mixture was then heated at a temperature of 120^*C for 1.5 hr. under a pressure of 5 to 10 mm Hg.

Nitrogen was then bubbled through the reaction mixture until the pressure increased to 2 bar absolute.

A further mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (95.1kg, 3:1 weight ratio) was added to the reaction mixture over 4 hr. , during which the temperature was maintained at 110 to 115^*C and the pressure increased to 4.4 bar absolute. On completion of the addition, the reaction mixture was maintained at a temperature of 110 to 115"C for 1.45 hr. The reaction mixture was then stripped for 1 hr. at about 110"C, under a pressure of 5 to 15mm Hg, and yielded 205g of product.

The product of the above process was 5 demineralised using Ambosol 500 demineralising/neutralising agent (6kg), Primsil 741 filter aid (1kg) and Diatrose (commercially available from La Rochette).

The mixture was heated at about 110°C for 1 hr., 10 and then filtered using a Gauthier filter at about llO'C.

Piperazine 31-220 (160 kg) was obtained, viscosity 233 centistokes at 40°C.

15 Example 3

Physical Properties of Piperazine 31-130 and Piperazine 31-220)

Piperazine 31-130 and Piperazine 31-220 were compared with two known textile lubricants in a

20 variety of tests. The known textile lubricants were:

1. A random ethylene oxide and propylene oxide copolymer (3:1 weight ratio), initiated by trimethylolpropane, having an average molecular weight of about 1200 (Emkarox VG127W, ICI); and 2.

2 Emkarox VG127W, formulated with Irganox 1010 present as 1 wt.% approximately, coded C145.

The above materials were tested as follows, and the results are given in Table 1.

30

. 1. Viscosity

The kinematic viscosity was determined at 40^JC , and 100^'C according to ASTM D445-79. 2. Viscosity Index

The viscosity index was calculated according to ASTM D2270-79.

3. Flash Point

Flash points were determined using the Cleveland open cup technique according to IP36/ASTM D92.

4. pH Values pH Values were determined at room temperature using a Corning 145 pH meter with a 5% solution of the material in distilled water.

TABLE 1

Product Viscosity, cSt Viscosity Mol. Flash PH 40"C 100'C. Index Wt. Pt. ^*C

Piperazine

31-130 223 39 221 1918 300 10

Piperazine

31-220 126 39 167 1000 300 10

C145 127 18 157 1200 250

Emkarox VG127W 127 18 157 230 230

Example 4 Thermal Stability

The thermal stabilities of VG127W and C145 and the products obtained from Examples 1 and 2 were determined by thermogravimetric analysis in which the sample was heated from ambient to 250^*C at a rate of 10'C per minute and then maintained at 250°C for a further 180 minutes in an air atmosphere, the air flow rate being 10 litres per hour. The experiment was repeated for Piperazine 31-130 using nitrogen in place of air. The thermal properties results are given in TABLE 2.

TABLE 2

Code or Name Thermal Stability (%Weight of Fluid of Product Remaining)

0 mins 50 mins 100 mins 150 mins 200 mins Piperazine

31-220 100 98 95 91 86

Piperazine

31-130

(In air) 100 93 84 75 68

Piperazine ^' ,

31-130

(in nitrogen) 100 97.5 96.5 90.0 95.5

C145 100 52 27 20 18

EMKAROX

VG127W 100 24 17 10

The results for Piperazine 31-130 and the comparative results for C145 and VG127W show that polyoxyalkylene polymers initiated with an active nitrogen containing compound have greatly improved thermal stability compared to that of alcohol initiated polyoxyalkylene polymers which have a similar amount and ratio of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide residues.

Example 5

Preparation of Textile Lubricant Compositions and their Thermal Properties

The following 8 compositions were prepared and analysed in a variety of tests. Each composition consisted of 80% by weight of lubricant component and 20% by weight of additive. The lubricant components used for comparative purposes and the additives were as follows:

EMKAROX VG 132 W: A butanol initiated copolymer of

1:1 weight ratio of ethylene and propylene oxide having a viscosity of about 130 cSt at 40^*C and an average molecular weight of 1500.

EMKAROX VG217 W: A butanol initiated copolymer of

1:1 weight ratio of ethylene and propylene oxide having a viscosity of about 220 cSt at 40"C and an average molecular weight of 2000.

SYNPERONIC A7 1 mole equivalent of an alcohol in which the alkyl group of the alcohol is a mixture of C, „ and C, _

1- 15 alkyl chains in the approximate weight ratio of 70:30. 50% of these groups being linear and the balance comprising mainly 2-methyl branched species condensed with 7 mole equivalents of ethylene oxide. TWEEN 80 1 mole equivalent of a sorbitan mono-oleate condensed with 20 mole equivalents of ethylene oxide, having an average molecular weight of about 1300.

(EMKAROX VG127 W, EMKAROX VG132 and EMKAROX VG217 W are available from ICI Chemicals and Polymers Ltd, Wilton, Cleveland, England and SYNPERONIC A7 and TWEEN 80 are available from ICI Specialties, Manchester, England).

Preparations

Compositions in which the additive was SYNPERONIC A7 were prepared by heating the additive to 60^*C, adding the lubricant component thereto vith subsequent mixing at about 30 to 40^*C to produce a substantially homogeneous composition.

Compositions in which the additive was TWEEN 80 were prepared by admixing the two components at room temperature and stirring to produce a substantially homogeneous composition.

Thermal Stability

The thermal stabilities of Compositions 1 to 8 were determined by measuring the weight loss of a sample thereof. A 5g sample of the composition was heated to 230'C in an air atmosphere, maintained at that temperature for a period of 2 hours and then the % weight loss thereof was determined.

The thermal properties results are given in TABLE 3. TABLE 3

Composition Thermal Stability Lubricant Component (80%) (% weight loss) Additive (20%)

1 Piperazine 31 130 SYNPERONIC A7 13.9

2 EMKAROX VG132 W SYNPERONIC A7 76.3

3 Piperazine 31 220 SYNERPONIC A7 8.6

4 EMKAROX VG217 W SYNPERONIC A7 68.4

5 Piperazine 31 130 TWEEN 80 8.0

6 EMKAROX VG132 TWEEN 80 70.7

7 Piperazine 31 220 TWEEN 80 4.0

8 EMKAROX VG217 W TWEEN 80 74.4

The thermal stability results show that textile lubricant compositions having a lubricant component comprising a polyoxyalkylene copolymer initiated by an active-nitrogen containing compound have greatly improved thermal stability compared to that of alcohol initiated polyoxyalkylene polymers having a similar viscosity. Example 6

Friction and Electrostatic Charge Measurements of

Solutions of Compositions 1 to 8

10% emulsions by weight of compositions 1 to 8 were prepared by admixing the composition and water at room temperature with stirring until a homogeneous emulsion was obtained and tested as follows: the results are given in TABLE 4.

Test Yarn and Solutions

The yarn used in the Friction and Electrostatic Charge Tests was Nylon PA6 150/28.

The emulsions used in the Tests consisted of 10% aqueous emulsions of compositions 1 to 8 (10% composition, 90% demineralised water). The emulsions were applied to the yarn at a rate corresponding to an amount of 5% by the weight of the yarn from a ceramic applicator, that is, 0.5% textile lubricant composition. At a yarn speed of 30m/min, 0.08g/sec °f yarn passed through the instrument used in the tests.

1. Measurement of Friction Using the Sledge Method (Fibre/Fibre) This test was an adaptation of ANSI/ASTM D

1894-78, " Standard Test method for Static and Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting" to measure coefficients of friction on a yarn substrate using a Lloyd JJ MSK "Tensile Tester" available from Instrom Ltd, Fareham, Hampshire, England.

A sample of the yarn was laid on an emery-paper-covered bed ( emery grade 00 ) and a smaller sample of the same yarn was placed on top of if. An emery-paper-covered block (emery grade 00) was placed squarely on the smaller sample and weighted with a 2kg weight. A wire was attached to the block and the "Tensile Tester" operated. The force on the wire required to move the block and the smaller sample was measured by the load cell to give a static and a dynamic friction reading. The "Mean" reading is the average of the dynamic and the static friction and the "Scroop" reading is the difference between the static and the dynamic friction.

2. Measurement of Coefficient of Yarn/Other Surface Friction on Filament Yarns (Fibre/Metal, Fibre/Ceramic) These tests were carried out using a Rothschild

R1083 Friction Meter. The yarn was pretensioned to lOg/denier and passed over a first tension transducer, over a friction wheel, over a second tension transducer and onto a take-up drum. The arrangement provided a wrap angle of 180^*. The yarn speed was set up at 300m/minute. The readings obtained (coefficient of friction) are recorded in TABLE 4.

3. Measurement of Electrostatic Charge Generation on the Yarn (Static Filament) This test was carried out using a Chubb Electrostatic Field Meter Model JC1 111 available from Industrial Developments Ltd, Cheltenham, Gloucester, England. The yard was laced around the friction tester, the charge sensing head was positioned 76mm (3 inches) above the yarn between the final roller and the take-up drum. The yard speed was set at 300m/minute, the charge meter was switched on and the system run for 30 seconds to reach equilibrium. The direct readings from the instrument are recorded in TABLE 4.

4. Measurement of Electrostatic Charge Generation

During Carding (Static at Card) This test was performed using a Chubb Electrostatic Field Meter. The yarn was given one complete pass through a Shirley Miniature Card, available from the British Textile Technical Group, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England the resultant lap was then doubled and fed into the card of a second pass. The yarn was attached to the take-up drum, the charge sensing head was positioned 76mm (3 inches) above the yarn between the take-up drum and the doffer comb. The system was then run for 2 minutes to allow an equilibrium state to be attained and the direct readings of the instrument were recorded in TABLE 4. The yarn speed was 2.5m/minute.

TABLE 4

Composition Fibre/Fibre- (N) Fibre/Metal Mean Scroop (300m/min)

1 9.1 1.25 0.49 2 9.2 1.0 0.53 3 8.7 1.21 0.45 4 8.8 1.45 0.54 5 9.05 1.1 0.50 6 8.85 1.1 0.51 7 8.4 1.35 0.47 8 9.05 0.7 0.51

Composition Fibre/Ceramic Filament Static (300/min) Static at Card

(KVπT¹) (KVnT¹)

1 0.37 -10.5 0.025 2 0.34 2.3 2.6 3 0.32 -11.6 0.025 4 0.33 3.2 ,_ 3.5 5 0.36 -13.8 0.015 6 0.34 -1.0 5.-5 7 0.35 -13.3 0.15 8 0.34 2.0 4.0

The results in TABLE 4 illustrate that aqueous solutions of the composition of the invention have greatly .improved electrostatic properties as compared with solutions of alcohol initiated polyoxyalkylene polymers, whilst also having comparable friction characteristics .

Claims

1. A textile lubricant composition, characterised in that it comprises

(a) a compound of formula (I) X[ARJ (I) wherein

X is the residue of an active hydrogen-containing organic mono- or poly-amine or -amide, or ammonia, following removal of n hydrogen atoms;

A is a random or block polyoxyalkylene residue comprising 6 to 160 alkylene oxide residues of 2 to 4 carbon atoms each; R is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl; and n is any integer, provided that each AR segment may be the same or different; with the proviso that, where X is the residue of a ethylenediamine or

N,N,N' , '-tetrakis-[2-hydroxyalkyl]-ethylenedia¬ mine, the compound has a molecular weight of less than 10,000; and

(b) at least one additive selected from an antistatic agent, a cohesion aid, an emulsifier and a secondary lubricant, and

(c) optionally a corrosion inhibitor and/or an antioxidant.

2. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that the compound of formula ( I ) is present in the composition as 10 to 80 wt.% of the total composition.

3. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that the compound o_f formula ( I ) has an average molecular weight of from 750 to 3,500 and a viscosity of from 100 to 800 centistokes at 40"C, measured by ASTM D445.

4. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that in the compound of formula (I) X is the residue of

(b) a mono- or poly-amide i.e. an amide having one or more amide groups,

5. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that in the compound of formula (I) X has a total of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, 1 to 6 amino or amido groups, and n is 1 to 4.

6. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that in the compound of formula (I) X is a residue of

(a) an optionally substituted mono?- or di-alkylamine, or a substituted trialkyfamine,

(b) a mono-, di- or tri-alkanolamine, or

(c) an optionally substituted alkylenediamine. ^•

7. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that in the compound of formula (I) each residue A comprises 10 to 140 ethylene oxide and propylene oxide residues in the molar ratio range of from 1:1 to 3:2, and each R is alkyl containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

8. A composition according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises 45 to 90, wt.% of a vehicle.

9. A method of producing a textile lubricant composition according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises admixing a compound of formula (I) with at least one additive as defined in claim 1 and optionally a corrosion inhibitor and/or an antioxidant.

10. A process of lubricating textile yarn or fibre, which comprises contacting a textile yarn or fibre with a composition according to claim 1.