Commercial Softeners Research Articles

Beneficiation of Commiphora africana Plant: Extraction and Application of Green Softener on Cotton Fabric

This paper aims at the extraction and application of eco- and user-friendly natural gum obtained from Commiphora Africana tree. The result obtained is also compared with fabric treated with a commercial softener of the same concentration. The gum was extracted by puncturing the stem of the plant and the extracted gum was applied directly to 100% cotton fabric through a padding process with different concentrations of extracted gum (i.e., 20 gram per litre (g/l), 25 g/l, and 30 g/l). Another similar fabric sample was treated with a silicon softener of the same concentration. The fabric samples treated with both natural gum and silicon softener were tested for their stiffness, crease recovery, and drapability. The results show that the change in fabric softness depends on the concentration of softener used in both cases. As the concentration of the softener increased, there was a decrease in bending length and drape coefficient for both fabric samples. The drape coefficient of fabric sample treated with natural gum has a comparable result with fabric treated with silicon/commercial softener. Maximum increases in recovery angle were seen in fabric treated with natural gum at a concentration of 30 g/l.

Consumer Perception and Preference of Drinking Water Sources.

IntroductionUnderstanding consumer perception of drinking water can contribute to improvements in water management and consumer satisfaction. The aim of this study was to assess the consumer perception of tap water quality and other drinking water sources in Gonabad as a small semiarid city.MethodsThis study was performed in autumn and winter 2013. For collection data a researcher-made a questionnaire consisting of nine questions, based on demographic information prepared. Questions were asked for participants to provide information regarding household drinking water usage and patterns, opinion about tap water safety, taste and reasons for purchasing bottled water. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 16 was applied in this study.ResultsResults showed that demographic variables had a significant relationship with consumer satisfaction (p < 0.05). Office employees, women and poor families had the most satisfaction from tap water quality. Peoples’ preferences for tap water, commercial softener, domestic softener, ghanat (a type of underground cistern) and bottled water were 27.8, 19, 27.8, 40.4 and 3.5% respectively. Dissatisfaction from production of foam, unsuitable taste, unacceptable appearance and other problems in tap water was 11.1, 95.6, 27.8 and 0.4% respectively. Consumer reasons for using domestic water softeners are: suitable taste (80%), easy availability (71%), economical (56%) and low health side effects (34%).ConclusionAccording to these results it was clear that each consumer group, based on self-condition, prefers using a specific drinking water source.

Cost and Efficiency Analysis of Commercial Softeners in the Sewability Behavior of Cotton Fabrics

This paper reports a comparative case study on the use of different softening products for bed linen fabrics, specifically regarding the sewability of the fabrics. The market offers a wide variety of commercial formulations of softeners for this purpose, but the composition and price varies considerably. This work was aimed to assess the relationship between the cost and effectiveness of different softener formulations in home textiles finishing. Objectively, the effect of different softeners and their concentrations on sewability of the fabrics was studied. Non-ionic polyethylene dispersions and a cationic silicone softener micro-emulsion in different concentrations and combinations were considered in this investigation. It was found that a combination of silicone and polyethylene based softeners presents the most interesting cost/performance behavior.

Effects of softeners and laundering on the handle of knitted PLA filament fabrics

We have studied the effects of softeners and repeated laundering on the handle of knitted fabrics constructed from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) filament yarns derived from corn-starch. The fabrics were assessed: a) subjectively, via a panel of volunteers, in terms of their perceived softness and ‘scroopiness’; and b) objectively, using a Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-F), in terms of their low-stress mechanical properties. The study employed two fabric variants and a range of commercial softeners in an attempt to determine the combination that would provide optimal handle and durability to laundering. We found the standard KES-F parameters B, 2HB, G, 2HG, and SMD to be generally well-correlated with the subjective assessment of softness and scroopiness. Although repeated laundering reduced somewhat the beneficial effects of the softeners, this deterioration was not severe, and we were able to identify specific formulations that can provide good handle coupled with acceptable durability. The fabric handle was seen to be influenced by the chemical nature of the softening agent, the type of emulsion employed and the degree of hydrophobicity (assessed in terms of wettability); on the other hand, the ionicity of the softener appeared not to play a significant role.

Investigation of the influence of different commercial softeners on the stability of poly(lactic acid) fabrics during storage

We have studied the potential degradation of poly(lactic acid)-based fabrics treated with commercial softeners and stored under two sets of conditions for one year. Initial wet-processing caused a fall in molecular weight of about 28%, irrespective of after-treatment. Storage at 40 °C and 80% RH produced further degradation which, with few exceptions, was aggravated by the presence of softeners. Ultimately, all samples degraded beyond the point of commercial usefulness. No clear distinction could be made between the effects of softeners having differing compositions. In contrast, fabrics stored under milder conditions of 23 °C and 50% RH showed no significant time-dependent polymer degradation, irrespective of the treatment applied. There were slight changes in tensile properties and some evidence of physical structural effects having occurred, which we attribute to physical aging. However, we do not believe these to be so serious as to call into question the long-term viability of PLA-based textile products.

Effects of Softeners on Mechanical Properties of Cotton Fabric

Most commercial textile materials are given a “soft finish” for the comfort of the wearer. This paper investigates the effects of two levels of concentration for six commercial softeners on cotton knitted fabrics. The fabric properties are measured by using the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KES-FB). It is found that the application of softeners reduces the bending properties of interlock knitted fabrics due to the reduction in inter-yarn friction as the result of the lubrication effect of the softeners. For most softeners, a higher level of concentration leads to a softer fabric, but the optimum concentration level depends on the exact chemistry of the softener. Furthermore, the application of softeners does not reduce the shear properties of the knitted interlock fabric as expected. The main reason is that the shear deformation of a knitted structure is due to the stretching of the loops rather than inter-yarn movement as in the case for woven fabrics. The increased stability of the fabric after softener application makes the fabric more resistant to shear deformation. Therefore, for interlock knitted fabrics, shear properties are not reliable indicators of the softening effect.

Preparation and Characterizations of Fatty Acid / Polyethylene Glycol Condensates and Utilization as Textile Softeners

Optimal conditions for condensation of equimolar ratios of stearic acid (St) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, i.e. 180°C, 8hrs and H2SO4, 4g/kg (reactants mixture), were utilized to condensate the equimolar ratio of stearic (St), palmitic (Pa) or myristic (My) acid with PEG 300, 400, 600, 2000 or 6000. Each of the fifteen condensates was formed by total conversion (83.5 to 84.1 %). Monoester–diester ratios of the condensates ranged from 4:1 to 49:1. FT – IR spectroscopy and hydrophilic lipohilic balances (HLB) of the condensates were also examined. The condensates had softening and hydrophilic properties of cotton fabric with no yellowing at concentrations of 30 and 50g/l in the presence or absence of DMDHEU (50g/l). The presence of DMDHEU improved the fabric resiliency. However, the softening and hydrophilic properties of the fabric were inferior in the presence of DMDHEU rather than the absence. In comparison with a commercial softener, PEG 2000- or 6000-based condensates were higher in fabric wettabi...

The peculiarities of new textile hand evaluation method

The paper presents information concerning metrological and technical characteristics of KTU-Griff-Tester device, the optimization of its parameters and the cases of its application. It was defined that the behaviour of textile material during its extraction through a rounded hole depends upon its structure. Variations of geometrical shape of woven and knitted specimens can be described by mathematical expressions of shortened epicycloids and Cassini ovals. It is shown that waving process of disc shaped specimen can be predicted on the basis of the law of sine curve. The examples of textiles treatment with different types of commercial softeners are presented, herewith showing the suitability (sensitiveness) of the new device to detect the changes of textile hand. Meantime it is shown that the level of materials anisotropy can be decided on the basis of transformations of specimen’s geometrical shape.

Uniformity and Softness of Kenaf Fibers for Textile Products

To incorporate kenaf fibers into textiles, it is important to establish uniformity of fibers extracted from the base to the tip of the plant. Bast fiber quality depends on both physical (crystallinity, crystallite size, and orientation) and chemical (lignin, gum, and hemicellulose) properties. Therefore, the first objective is to determine fiber uniformity, evaluating the effect of processing on tenacity, elongation, crystallinity, crystallite size, and chemical composition of fibers extracted from base to tip of the stalk. Second, to make fibers spinnable, the effect of various softeners is evaluated. Decorticated kenaf stems (variety E41) have been retted chemically and bacterially to extract fibers. Fiber bundle strength ranges from 22-30 g/tex. Gum content decreases from 20-10% with the initial chemical processing; later degumming does not reduce gum levels. Initial gum removal increases crystallinity by 3-5% and crystallite size by 20-25%. Physical and chemical properties of kenaf fibers are uniform along the whole length of the native stalks. Alkali treatment with 1% NaOH is not sufficient to impart noticeable stretch. Enzyme and degumming treatments weaken the fibers significantly (30-45%). The commercial softener makes fibers too sticky, and they stick to the carding equipment. Bending rigidity and hysteresis (recovery after repeated bending) do not significantly improve for the softened fibers. Degummed fibers are the strongest. most pliable, with least hysteresis and lowest residual gum content, and are spinnable.