WO2012169508A1

WO2012169508A1 - Durable hydrophilic fiber having excellent color fastness, and molded fiber and absorbent article comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2012169508A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/064513
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智朗鈴木; 正人勝矢
Original assignee: Ｅｓファイバービジョンズ株式会社; イーエスファイバービジョンズホンコンリミテッド; イーエスファイバービジョンズリミテッドパートナーシップ; イーエスファイバービジョンズアーペーエス
Priority date: 2011-06-06
Filing date: 2012-06-06
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: TWI546435B; JP5096602B1; TW201250080A; KR20140010464A; KR101427192B1; CN103582729B; CN103582729A; JP2012251270A

Abstract

Provided are a fiber, which has very excellent color fastness and high durable hydrophilicity, and a molded fiber, for example a nonwoven fabric, comprising the same; also provided is an absorbent article using the fiber or molded fiber. A fiber which comprises at least one type of thermoplastic resin and to which a fiber treatment agent is attached, wherein the fiber treatment agent comprises at least 25 mass% of a component (A), at least 5 mass% of a component (B), and at least 5 mass% of a component (C), on the basis of the active ingredient, and 0.1-1.0 mass% of the fiber treatment agent is attached with respect to the mass of fiber. Component (A): A sulfuric acid ester salt having a C_8-22 hydrocarbon group; Component (B): A sulfosuccinic acid diester salt having a C_12-20 hydrocarbon group; Component (C): A phosphoric acid ester salt having a C_4-18 hydrocarbon group. A molded fiber primarily comprising the fiber; and an absorbent article obtained using the molded fiber.

Description

Fiber molding, as well as absorbent articles are configured excellent durability hydrophilic fibers and with it the color fastness

The present invention relates to a fiber having durable hydrophilicity excellent in discoloration resistance. The present invention also relates to a fiber molded body composed of fibers having durable hydrophilicity excellent in the color fastness, such as a nonwoven fabric, and an absorbent article using the fiber or fiber molded body.

Thermally adhesive fibers that can be molded by thermal fusion using thermal energy such as hot air or heated rolls are easy to obtain bulkiness, so sanitary materials such as diapers, napkins, pads, etc. Widely used in industrial materials such as supplies and filters. In particular, sanitary materials are required to have high liquid absorbency because of the need to absorb liquids such as urine and menstrual blood quickly and repeatedly.
On the other hand, heat-bonding fibers have been added and contain antioxidants such as dibutylhydroxytoluene for the purpose of preventing deterioration due to radical generation, and have been stored for a long time in places exposed to sunlight or directly under fluorescent lights. Otherwise, discoloration is likely to occur, and problems such as product quality are often lost.
Then, there exists a proposal which improves discoloration resistance by adding hydroxycarboxylic acid to the fiber processing agent made to adhere to the fiber surface (for example, patent document 1). There is also a proposal to prevent yellowing phenomenon that occurs during fiber production or storage by using ammonium alkylphosphate as a fiber treatment agent (for example, Patent Document 2).
On the other hand, a proposal for adhering a higher alcohol sulfate and an alkyl phosphate metal salt to the fiber in order to increase the hydrophilicity of the fiber and prevent rust generation during the production of the nonwoven fabric (for example, Patent Document 3), alkyl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl There is a proposal (for example, Patent Document 4) in which sulfate and polyoxyethylene alkyl phosphate are components of a fiber treatment agent.

Japanese Patent No. 4381579 JP 2001-140168 A JP-A-8-141012 JP 2004-76165 A

Although there is a proposal to improve the discoloration resistance of the fiber by the conventional technique, since the hydroxycarboxylic acid has a low function for imparting hydrophilicity, there is a possibility that the liquid absorbency of the fiber may be inhibited. In addition, ammonium alkylphosphate has a low function for imparting durable hydrophilicity, and there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain high durable hydrophilicity.
Accordingly, there is a strong demand for fibers having both excellent color fastness and durable hydrophilicity.
Here, the liquid absorbency refers to a state in which a fiber molded body such as a nonwoven fabric is disposed on an absorbent layer such as a pulp sheet, and a liquid such as urine or menstrual blood is contacted (dropped) from the side of the nonwoven fabric or the like. In this case, it refers to the ability to quickly transfer liquid to the absorbent layer. This liquid absorbency is also called liquid permeability or liquid permeability. Moreover, durable hydrophilic property here means repeated liquid absorption.
In view of such a problem, the problem of the present invention is to provide a fiber having extremely high resistance to discoloration and having a high durability hydrophilic property and a fiber molded body composed of such a fiber, for example, a nonwoven fabric, Furthermore, it is providing the absorbent article using such a fiber or a fiber molded object.

The present inventors diligently studied to solve the above problems. As a result, it has been found that the above-mentioned problems can be achieved by adhering a fiber treatment agent containing a certain amount of a specific sulfate ester salt, sulfosuccinic acid diester salt and phosphate ester salt to a fiber in a certain amount or more.
Accordingly, the present invention has the following configuration.
[1] A fiber containing at least one thermoplastic resin and having a fiber treatment agent attached thereto, the fiber treatment agent containing 25% by mass or more of the following component (A) on an active ingredient basis, and the component (B): 5% by mass or more and component (C) 5% by mass or more, and the fiber treatment agent is adhered to 0.1 to 1.0% by mass relative to the mass of the fiber.
Component (A): Sulfate ester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms Component (B): Sulfosuccinic acid diester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms Component (C): 4 carbon atoms Phosphoric acid ester salt having 2 to 18 hydrocarbon groups [2] The composition ratio (mass%) of component (A) and the composition ratio (mass%) of component (C) on the basis of the active ingredient in the fiber treatment agent described above The fiber according to [1], which satisfies the following formula.
Component ratio of component (A) ≧ component ratio of component (C) [3] A fiber molded body mainly composed of the fiber according to [1] or [2].
[4] The fiber molded body according to [3], which is a nonwoven fabric.
[5] An absorbent article obtained using the fiber molded body according to [3] or [4].

According to the present invention, a fiber treatment agent containing a specific amount or more of a specific sulfate ester salt, sulfosuccinic acid diester salt and phosphate ester salt is attached to the fiber, thereby having excellent discoloration resistance and liquid absorption. Fiber with excellent durability and durability hydrophilicity can be obtained. According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a fiber molded article composed of such fibers, having excellent discoloration resistance and excellent durability and hydrophilic properties, for example, a nonwoven fabric, and using such a fiber molded article. An absorbent article excellent in discoloration resistance and durable hydrophilicity can be achieved.
In particular, according to the present invention, fibers (including composite fibers) in which a thermoplastic resin mainly composed of propylene has been exposed on at least a part of the fiber surface, for which it has been extremely difficult to obtain high durability hydrophilicity, for example, As an example of a composite fiber, a combination of a composite fiber such as an ethylene-propylene-butene-1 copolymer / polypropylene with a sheath / core structure and the above-mentioned fiber treatment agent provides a high durability hydrophilicity that has not been obtained in the past. At the same time, it has an unexpectedly excellent effect of having extremely excellent discoloration resistance.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fiber, fiber molded object, and absorbent article which preferably have discoloration resistance and durable hydrophilic property can be provided.

The present invention will be described in detail below.
The fiber of the present invention is a fiber containing at least one thermoplastic resin and having a fiber treatment agent attached thereto, and the fiber treatment agent contains 25% by mass or more of the following component (A) on the basis of an active ingredient. 5% by mass or more of (B) and 5% by mass or more of component (C), and the fiber treating agent is a fiber adhered to 0.1 to 1.0% by mass with respect to the mass of the fiber.
Component (A): Sulfate ester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms Component (B): Sulfosuccinic acid diester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms Component (C): 4 carbon atoms Phosphoric acid ester salt having ˜18 hydrocarbon groups Here, the active ingredient is a component obtained by removing moisture from the entire fiber treatment agent. In addition, the active ingredient standard means that the total mass of components excluding moisture from the entire fiber treatment agent is used as a standard.

The component (A) constituting the fiber treating agent to be attached to the fiber of the present invention is a sulfate ester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon group may be linear or branched, and may be saturated or unsaturated. Such a sulfate ester salt can be produced, for example, by sulfating an alcohol having 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
Component (A) may be a single compound or a mixture of two or more compounds. Examples of the component (A) include octyl sulfate, lauryl sulfate, stearyl sulfate, and hebenyl sulfate.
As the component (A), a sulfate ester salt of an alkylene oxide adduct in which a polyoxyalkylene group is added to the hydrocarbon group via an oxygen atom can be used. Such a sulfate ester salt can be produced, for example, by sulfating a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether having a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of such compounds include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkynyl ether sulfates and the like. Specific examples include polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether sulfate, and polyoxypropylene lauryl ether sulfate. The number of moles of alkylene oxide added is not particularly limited, but is generally 2 to 10.
The carbon number of the hydrocarbon group is preferably 12 to 18 from the viewpoint of imparting durable hydrophilicity to the fiber. Further, from the viewpoint of discoloration resistance, the hydrocarbon group is preferably unsaturated, and oleyl sulfate is particularly preferable as component (A).
The cation constituting the sulfate ester salt of component (A) is not particularly limited, but a metal cation is preferable from the viewpoint of water solubility, and examples thereof include alkali metal ions such as sodium ion, potassium ion and lithium ion. Of these, sodium ions are particularly preferred from the viewpoint of compatibility with sulfate groups.

The component (A) constituting the fiber treatment agent to be attached to the fiber of the present invention must occupy 25% by mass or more of the active component of the fiber treatment agent. Component (A) generally occupy a range of 25 to 80% by weight of the active ingredient of the fiber treatment agent. When the component ratio of component (A) is 25% by mass or more, the effect of discoloration resistance is sufficient, and it is preferably in the range of 30 to 50% by mass.

The component (B) constituting the fiber treatment agent to be attached to the fiber of the present invention is a sulfosuccinic acid diester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon group may be linear or branched, and may be saturated or unsaturated. Further, the two hydrocarbon groups may be the same or different. As the component (B), a single compound or a mixture of two or more kinds of compounds can be used. Examples of the component (B) include dilauryl sulfosuccinate, ditridecyl sulfosuccinate, distearyl sulfosuccinate and the like.
From the viewpoint of imparting durable hydrophilicity to the fiber, the hydrocarbon group preferably has 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and ditridecyl sulfosuccinate is particularly preferred.
Although it does not specifically limit as a cation which comprises the sulfosuccinic-acid diester salt of a component (B), From a water-soluble viewpoint, a metal cation is preferable, For example, alkali metal ions, such as a sodium ion, a potassium ion, a lithium ion, are mentioned. Of these, sodium ion is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of compatibility with the sulfone group.

The component (B) constituting the fiber treatment agent to be attached to the fiber of the present invention must occupy 5% by mass or more of the active component of the fiber treatment agent. Component (B) is generally occupy a range of 5 to 50% by weight of the active ingredient of the fiber treatment agent. When the component ratio of component (B) is 5% by mass or more, the effect of durable hydrophilicity is sufficient, and the range is preferably 10 to 30% by mass.

The ratio of the sulfuric acid ester salt of component (A) to the sulfosuccinic acid diester salt of component (B) is not particularly limited, but in the range of 1: 1 to 8: 1 in terms of mass ratio from the viewpoint of durable hydrophilicity. In particular, the range of 1: 1 to 3: 1 is preferable.

Component (C) constituting the fiber treatment agent to be adhered to the fiber of the present invention is a phosphate ester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 18 carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon group may be linear or branched, and may be saturated or unsaturated. Such a phosphoric acid ester salt can be produced, for example, by phosphorylating an alcohol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms. The phosphate ester salt may be a monoester salt or a diester salt.
As the component (C), a single compound or a mixture of two or more kinds of compounds can be used. Examples of component (C) include hexyl phosphate, octyl phosphate, lauryl phosphate, stearyl phosphate and the like.
As the component (C), a phosphate ester salt of an alkylene oxide adduct in which a polyoxyalkylene group is added to the hydrocarbon group via an oxygen atom can be used. For example, it can be produced by phosphorylating a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether having a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of such compounds include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ether phosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkynyl ether phosphates and the like. Specific examples include polyoxyethylene octyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate, polyoxypropylene lauryl ether phosphate, and the like. The number of moles of alkylene oxide added is generally 2 to 10.
The hydrocarbon group preferably has 8 to 16 carbon atoms from the viewpoint of imparting antistatic properties to the fiber, and particularly preferably octyl phosphate.
Although it does not specifically limit as a cation which comprises the phosphate ester salt of a component (C), A metal cation is preferable from a water-soluble viewpoint, For example, alkali metal ions, such as a sodium ion, potassium ion, lithium ion, are mentioned. Among these, potassium ions that are compatible with the phosphate group are particularly preferable.

The component (C) constituting the fiber treatment agent to be attached to the fiber of the present invention must occupy 5% by mass or more of the active component of the fiber treatment agent. Component (C) is generally occupy a range of 5 to 40% by weight of the active ingredient of the fiber processing agent. When the component ratio of component (C) is 5% by mass or more, a sufficient antistatic effect is exhibited, and it is preferably in the range of 10 to 30% by mass.

The fiber of the present invention has 0.1 to 1.0% by mass of the fiber treatment agent as an active ingredient, and preferably 0.3 to 0.8% by mass. When the adhesion amount is 0.1% by mass or more with respect to the fiber, the antistatic property is sufficient, and static electricity is not generated in the process of processing the fiber to which the fiber treatment agent is adhered into a fiber molded body such as a nonwoven fabric. Tends to be easy, and is preferable. In addition, when the amount of adhesion is 1.0% by mass or less, in the process of processing the fiber, there is little dropout of the fiber treatment agent from the fiber, the accumulation in the apparatus does not increase, and the workability is further reduced. It is preferable because there is not.
Also in the fiber molded body of the present invention, such as a nonwoven fabric, it is preferable that the fiber treatment agent adheres in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0% by mass as an active ingredient.

In order to achieve better compatibility between discoloration resistance and durable hydrophilicity in the fiber, the component (A) is used in the same amount as the component (C) in the fiber treatment agent, or is used in a larger amount than the component (C). It is preferable. That is, it is preferable that the following relational expression is established between the constituent ratio (mass%) of the component (A) and the constituent ratio (mass%) of the component (C) on the basis of the active ingredient in the fiber treatment agent. .
Component ratio of component (A) ≧ component ratio of component (C)

As an embodiment in which the fiber treatment agent is adhered to the fiber, the fiber treatment agent may be adhered to the fiber, and then the fiber may be processed into a fiber molded body as necessary. Or after processing from a fiber to a fiber molded object, you may make this fiber treatment agent adhere to this fiber molded object.
The fiber molded body of the present invention, for example, a non-woven fabric, can be processed and manufactured by an appropriate process using the fiber to which the fiber treatment agent is attached, or a fiber molded product obtained by processing from a fiber by an appropriate process. It can manufacture by making the said fiber treatment agent adhere to a body. For example, when a fiber treatment agent is attached to a fiber molded body such as a non-woven fabric, it can be attached uniformly to the whole, as well as to any part as required, and the amount of attachment for each part to be attached You may make a difference.

Specifically, the fiber treating agent can be attached to a fiber molded body such as a fiber or a nonwoven fabric in an emulsion diluted to a concentration of 3 to 30% by mass with ion exchange water or the like. In the fiber production process, so-called spinning process, stretching process and crimping process, a fiber treatment agent may be attached, or after processing the fiber into a fiber molded body, for example, after making the fiber into a nonwoven fabric, On the other hand, the fiber treatment agent may be adhered so that the adhesion amount is in a desired range. As a method for attaching the fiber treatment agent to the fiber, a known method such as an oiling roll method, a dipping method, or a spray method can be used. In addition, for example, as a method of attaching the fiber treatment agent to the nonwoven fabric, an oiling roll method (coating method), a dipping method, a spraying method, and the like can be given. In order to improve the adhesion efficiency and adhesion, the nonwoven fabric is used as a pretreatment. Corona discharge treatment or atmospheric pressure plasma discharge treatment may be applied to the above.
Adjustment of the amount of the fiber treatment agent attached to the fiber or fiber molded body can be made by adjusting the number of rotations of the roll when it is attached using a roll such as an oiling roll. Etc.
As a method for quantitatively confirming the amount of the fiber treating agent attached to the fiber, there is an extraction method using a solvent. After immersing a certain amount of fiber or fiber molded body in a solvent in which the fiber treatment agent whose adhesion amount is to be confirmed is soluble, such as methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, etc., volatilize only the solvent with heat, etc. The amount of the fiber treatment agent attached per unit mass can be confirmed by weighing. Specific examples include a rapid method and a Soxhlet method.

Other known surfactant components can be used for the fiber treatment agent attached to the fiber of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are not hindered. For example, castor oil ester derivatives, polyoxyethylene castor oil ether derivatives, polyoxyalkylene-modified silicones, polyoxyethylene esters, sorbitan acid esters, trialkylglycine hydroxide (betaine), and the stability of fiber treatment agents from the viewpoint of durable hydrophilic properties From this point, ester oil and the like can be mentioned.
Various additives can be blended in the fiber treatment agent to be adhered to the fiber of the present invention within a range not impeding the effects of the present invention. Examples of such additives include emulsifiers, antiseptics, rust inhibitors, pH adjusters, antifoaming agents, and the like.

The fiber of the present invention may be a single component fiber or a composite fiber. The thermoplastic resin constituting the resin is not particularly limited. For example, high-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene (propylene homopolymer), ethylene-propylene copolymer mainly composed of propylene, and propylene Ethylene-propylene-1-butene copolymer as main component, polybutene-1, polyhexene-1, polyoctene-1, poly-4-methylpentene-1, polymethylpentene, 1,2-polybutadiene, 1,4-polybutadiene Polyolefin resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and polyester such as copolyester. And Tel resins. The fiber which consists of a mixture containing these 2 or more types may be sufficient.

In the case of a composite fiber, examples of the cross-sectional structure include a concentric sheath core structure, an eccentric sheath core structure, a side-by-side composite fiber, or an alternating radial split composite fiber. Examples of the shape of the fiber include a circular shape, a star shape, an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape, a pentagonal shape, a multileaf shape, and a hollow shape. In addition, specific thermoplastic resin combinations of composite fibers (sheath / core or low melting point component / high melting point component combination) include high density polyethylene / polypropylene, low density polyethylene / polypropylene, and ethylene-octene. Polymer / polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer / polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-butene-1 copolymer / polypropylene, high density polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene-octene copolymer / polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene-propylene-butene- 1 copolymer / polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene / polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene / polybutylene terephthalate, polylactic acid / polybutylene succinate and the like. The ratio of the sheath / core or the low melting point component / the high melting point component is preferably in the range of 10/90 to 90/10 in terms of mass ratio, from the viewpoint of spinnability, stretchability, and nonwoven fabric processability. A range of 70 to 70/30 is particularly preferable.

The effect of the present invention is that a thermoplastic resin mainly composed of propylene, such as polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butene-1 copolymer, is exposed on at least a part of the fiber surface. It is extremely high and preferable for fibers (including composite fibers). The reason for this is not clear, but it is speculated that the familiarity between these thermoplastic resins and the fiber treatment agent used is particularly good. Note that the main component, as it has the highest mass ratio in the constituents, preferably refers to account for more than 30 wt%. In particular, it is preferable that the thermoplastic resin mainly composed of propylene is continuous in the fiber length direction and occupies 10% or more of the fiber surface. The single fiber of the thermoplastic resin or the thermoplastic resin is preferable. It is preferable that it is the composite fiber of the concentric sheath core structure and the eccentric sheath core structure which contain a sheath component, and the split type composite fiber which contains the thermoplastic resin as a composite component.

The thermoplastic resin constituting the present invention further includes an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, an ultraviolet absorber, a neutralizing agent, a nucleating agent, an epoxy stabilizer, a lubricant, an antibacterial agent within the range not impeding the effects of the present invention. agents, flame retardants, antistatic agents, may be added, if an additive such as a pigment and plasticizer needed Tekisen.

In the fiber of the present invention, a fiber that gives a drape feeling and a smooth tactile sensation derived from its own weight within a range that does not interfere with the effects of the present invention, and has excellent flexibility by generating voids and cracks inside and outside the fiber. In order to obtain, inorganic fine particles may be added as necessary. The amount of such inorganic fine particles is preferably 0 to 10 mass% in the fibers, more preferably 1 to 5 mass%.

The inorganic fine particles are not particularly limited as long as they have a high specific gravity and hardly aggregate in a molten thermoplastic resin. For example, titanium oxide (specific gravity 3.7 to 4.3), zinc oxide (specific gravity 5) 0.2 to 5.7), barium titanate (specific gravity 5.5 to 5.6), barium carbonate (specific gravity 4.3 to 4.4), barium sulfate (specific gravity 4.2 to 4.6), zirconium oxide (Specific gravity 5.5), Zirconium silicate (Specific gravity 4.7), Alumina (Specific gravity 3.7 to 3.9), Magnesium oxide (Specific gravity 3.2) or Substances with specific gravity almost equivalent to these Of these, titanium oxide is preferably used.

As a method of adding inorganic fine particles to the fiber, a method of directly adding inorganic fine particle powder and thermoplastic resin at the time of spinning or the like, or making a master batch of inorganic fine particle powder and spinning the master batch and thermoplastic resin at the time of spinning And the like. The thermoplastic resin used for masterbatch is most preferably the same thermoplastic resin as the thermoplastic resin constituting the fiber, but is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies the requirements of the present invention, and different thermoplastic resins are used. It may be used.

The fiber of the present invention, for example, after spinning the thermoplastic resin by a melt spinning method to obtain an unstretched fiber, and after partially oriented crystallization in the stretching process, to give a crimp in the crimping process, then the hot air drier or the like can be preferably obtained by performing predetermined time heat treatment at a predetermined temperature using.

The fineness of the fiber of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 to 12.0 dtex, more preferably 1.0 to 8.0 dtex from the viewpoint of processing the fiber into a nonwoven fabric, and even more preferably 1. 7 to 6.0 dtex.

Fiber length of the fibers of the present invention is not particularly limited and may arbitrarily be determined from each method of the fibers, for example nonwovens. For example, in the case of short fibers that form a fiber web using a roller card machine, the fiber length of the fibers is preferably 25 to 125 mm, more preferably 38 to 76 mm. In the case of a chop that forms a fiber web using an airlaid machine, the fiber length is preferably 3 to 25 mm, more preferably 3 to 12 mm.

The method of processing the fiber into a nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a technique in which after forming the fiber web, heat treatment is performed to thermally bond the entanglement points of the fibers constituting the fiber web to form a nonwoven fabric. Examples of a method for forming a fiber web include a carting method in which short fibers are passed through a roller card machine, an airlaid method in which short fibers are formed with air, and a spunbond method in which long fibers are laminated. Thermal fiber heat treatment and thermal bonding methods include hot air circulation dryer, hot air ventilation heat treatment machine, relaxing hot air dryer, hot plate pressure dryer, drum dryer, infrared dryer, and partial thermocompression bonding. A well-known thing, such as a processing machine, can be used.

The basis weight (mass per unit area) of the nonwoven fabric when the fiber of the present invention is processed into a nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited and can be determined according to the intended use. For example, in the case of a surface material for disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, it is preferably 10 to 50 g / m ² , more preferably 20 to 35 g / m ² .

In addition to the nonwoven fabric as described above, the fiber molded body of the present invention is a fiber tow, fiber web, fiber laminate, net, knitted fabric and those obtained by heat-treating them into a sheet or a lump, and the nonwoven fabric is layered or corrugated. And the like subjected to secondary processing such as heat treatment. A nonwoven fabric is mentioned especially as a fiber molded object of this invention.

By using the fiber or fiber molded body of the present invention, various fiber products can be produced according to the types of products according to a conventional method.
Examples of fiber products using the fiber or fiber molded body of the present invention include absorbent articles such as diapers, napkins, and incontinence pads, medical hygiene materials such as gowns and surgical clothing, wall sheets, shoji paper, floor materials, etc. Interior materials, cover cloths, wipers for cleaning, life-related materials such as covers for garbage, toiletries such as disposable toilets and toilet covers, pet items such as pet sheets, pet diapers, pet towels, wiping materials, filters , Industrial materials such as cushion materials, oil adsorbent materials, ink tank adsorbent materials, general medical materials, bedding materials, nursing care products and the like. The fiber or fiber molded body of the present invention can be used for various fiber products.
Absorbent articles are particularly mentioned as the textile product of the present invention.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention in detail, this invention is not limited at all by these Examples. In addition, manufacture, processing, measurement, and tests in each example were performed by the following methods.
<Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 7>
(Thermoplastic resin)
The following resins were used as thermoplastic resins constituting the fibers.
Resin 1: High density polyethylene (abbreviated symbol PE) having a density of 0.96 g / cm ³ , MFR (190 ° C. load 21.18 N) of 16 g / 10 min, melting point of 130 ° C.
Resin 2: Polypropylene (abbreviated symbol PP-1) having an MFR (230 ° C., load 21.18 N) of 11 g / 10 min and a melting point of 162 ° C.
Resin 3: Polypropylene (abbreviated symbol PP-2) having an MFR (230 ° C load of 21.18 N) of 16 g / 10 min and a melting point of 162 ° C
Resin 4: Ethylene-propylene-butene-1 having an MFR (230 ° C. load of 21.18 N) of 16 g / 10 min, a melting point of 131 ° C. and an ethylene content of 4.0% by weight and a 1-butene content of 2.65% by weight Copolymer (abbreviated symbol co-PP)

(Measurement of melt mass flow rate (MFR))
The melt mass flow rate was measured according to JIS K 7210. Here, MI is measured according to condition D (test temperature 190 ° C., load 2.16 kg) in Annex A, Table 1, and MFR is measured according to condition M (test temperature 230 ° C., load 2.16 kg). did.

(Manufacture of fibers)
The thermoplastic resins shown in Tables 1 and 2 are melt-spun at a predetermined extrusion temperature using a spinneret having a concentric sheath core type cross section, and the fiber cross section is a concentric sheath core type having a volume ratio of 50/50. Undrawn fiber was obtained. At that time, the fiber treatment agents shown in Tables 1 and 2 were adhered to the unstretched fibers with an oiling roll. The obtained unstretched fiber was stretched with a hot roll at 90 ° C. and crimped with a crimper to obtain a stretched fiber. Thereafter, the drawn fiber was dried with a hot-air circulating dryer, cut to 51 mm with a cutter to obtain 2.2 dtex short fiber, and this was used as a sample fiber.

(Composition of fiber treatment agent)
The composition of the fiber treatment agent used in each example is shown in Tables 1-2. The unit of this composition is mass%, and the total amount of active ingredients in the fiber treatment agent is 100 mass%.

(Measurement of adhesion amount of fiber treatment agent)
Sample fiber was measured as a fiber web using a roller card tester (manufactured by Yamato Kiko Co., Ltd.), and 2 g was extracted from the fiber web and measured using a rapid residual oil extractor (“R-II type” manufactured by Tokai Keiki Co., Ltd.). did. 25 ml of methanol was used as an extraction solvent.
The adhesion amount was calculated by the following formula.
Amount of treatment agent attached (mass%) = extraction amount (g) ÷ 2 × 100

(Discoloration resistance test)
The sample fiber obtained in the above process was made into a card web with a roller card tester (manufactured by Yamato Kiko Co., Ltd.), and this web was made into a non-woven fabric having a basis weight of about 200 ± 20 g / m ² with a needle punch press machine. The sample was cut into 8 cm length × 8 cm width and placed in the upper 80 cm of the oil stove fire source (atmosphere temperature 100 ± 5 ° C.). Samples were removed after 3 hours exposure to combustion gases. The YI (Yellow Index) value on the surface of the test sample before and after the test was measured with a color difference meter (“Model SM-4” manufactured by Suga Test Co., Ltd.), and the difference ΔYI was calculated. And evaluated.
Good A>B> C Bad If ΔYI is less than 6, “A” is assumed as being excellent in resistance to discoloration.
If ΔYI was 6 or more and less than 8, it was determined as “B”.
If ΔYI is 8 or more, it can be said that the discoloration is high, so it is set to “C”.

(Non-woven fabric)
The sample fiber obtained in the above process was made into a card web with a roller card tester (manufactured by Yamato Kiko Co., Ltd.), and this web was processed with a suction drier at a temperature shown in Tables 1 and 2 (TA as an abbreviation). And a non-woven fabric having a basis weight of about 23 ± 2 g / m ² was obtained.

(Absorption evaluation)
The non-woven fabric obtained in the above process is cut into 10 cm length × 10 cm width, placed on an absorbent body wrapped in tissue, artificial urine is dropped into 10 places drop by drop with a 2 ml pipette, and from the surface of the non-woven fabric. The absorptance was calculated from the number absorbed by the following formula.
Absorption rate (%) = (number absorbed (pieces) / 10) × 100
Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was washed away with 50 ml of artificial urine, sufficiently dried, then dropped at the position where it was dropped, and the absorption rate was measured again. It carried out repeatedly until the absorptivity became 0%, and judged in the following three stages, and evaluated durable hydrophilicity.
Good A>B> C Poor third absorption rate exceeding 0% was designated as “A” because it was excellent in absorbability.
When the second absorption rate exceeded 0% and the third absorption rate was 0%, it was considered as “B”.
A sample having a second absorption rate of 0% was regarded as “C” because it was poor in absorbability.
The artificial urine used in this evaluation was prepared with the following component ratio.
Urea 2.00% by mass
Sodium chloride: 0.80% by mass
Magnesium sulfate: 0.08% by mass
Calcium chloride: 0.03 mass%
Ion exchange water: 97.09% by mass

Table 1 and 2 below, the configuration of the fibers, processing conditions, and the test based on the above test and measurement methods, are also shown the results of measurement.

The fiber of the present invention has not only high durability hydrophilicity but also extremely excellent resistance to resistance by attaching a fiber treatment agent containing a specific sulfate ester salt, sulfosuccinic acid diester salt and phosphate ester salt in a predetermined amount or more. It also has discoloration.
Furthermore, a fiber molded body such as a nonwoven fabric obtained from the fiber of the present invention has high durability hydrophilicity and extremely excellent resistance to discoloration. Absorbent articles such as diapers, napkins, and incontinence pads, gowns, and surgical techniques Medical hygiene materials such as clothes, interior sheets such as wall sheets, shoji paper, flooring, cover cloths, life-related materials such as cleaning wipers, garbage covers, toiletries such as disposable toilets and toilet covers, Various pet materials such as pet sheets, pet diapers, pet towels, wiping materials, filters, cushion materials, oil adsorbent materials, ink tank adsorbent materials, general medical materials, bedding materials, nursing care products, etc. It can be advantageously used for application to textile products.

Claims

A fiber containing at least one thermoplastic resin and having a fiber treatment agent attached thereto, the fiber treatment agent containing 25% by mass or more of the following component (A) and 5% by mass of the component (B) based on the active ingredient standards. % Or more and 5% by mass or more of component (C), and the fiber treatment agent is adhered to 0.1 to 1.0% by mass with respect to the mass of the fiber.
Component (A): Sulfate ester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms Component (B): Sulfosuccinic acid diester salt having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms Component (C): 4 carbon atoms Phosphate salt having 18 to 18 hydrocarbon groups
The fiber according to claim 1, wherein the constituent ratio (% by mass) of the component (A) and the constituent ratio (% by mass) of the component (C) on the basis of the active ingredient in the fiber treatment agent satisfy the following formula.
Component ratio of component (A) ≧ component ratio of component (C)
A fiber molded body mainly composed of the fiber according to claim 1 or 2.
The fiber molded body according to claim 3, which is a nonwoven fabric.
An absorbent article obtained using the fiber molded body according to claim 3 or 4.