Detergency of used motor oil from cotton and polyester fabrics

Abstract

AbstractA study was conducted to identity factors contributing to the difficult removal of used motor oil from textile materials by detergency. Infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography of used motor oil showed that the oil was a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon with molecular weight around 950. X‐ray analysis revealed that particulates present in the used motor oil contained S, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn. Used motor oil was distributed throughout the cotton fibers with similar concentration of oil in the lumen, secondary wall, and surface crenulation. Higher relative concentrations of used motor oil were observed in the secondary wall of the fiber than has been reported for human sebum. No oil was found in the interior of polyester fibers although high concentrations of oil were detected in the interfiber spaces and on the fiber surfaces of polyester fibers. Dispersant additives of motor oil are though to enhance penetration into the cotton structure and wicking over the polyester fibers, making the nonpolar used motor oil very difficult to remove by detergency.