Amphoteric softener and silicon softener are not widely used. Silicon softener is the latest types of softener.
Properties of Amphoteric Softener: These molecules consist of one or longer alkyl chains attached to polar molecules which contains both anionic and cationic groups. Their nature depends on PH.
Neutral PH: No ionic
Lower PH: Cationic
Higher PH: Anionic
Properties of Silicon Softener: The uses of silicon softener are given below.
- Silicon softener is a latest softener and it is used for bulky effect in high quality cotton towel.
- Silicon softener is expensive.
- It is very durable in laundering.
- Silicon softener improves tear strength, wrinkle recovery.
Although this two softener is not popular to all but day by day the application of silicon softener is increasing rapidly.
Nonionic softener is widely used on synthetic fibers and their blends. It is compatible to use for synthetic fibers.
Properties of Nonionic Softener: The Properties of nonionic softener are given below.
- Nonionic softener is applied to synthetic fibers and their blends.
- It is fairly soluble in water.
- Its color is like creamy paste.
- Hot water should not used during the application of nonionic softener.
- Acetic acid is added to cold water before adding the softener.
- Nonionic softener is chemically fatty acid, ethylene oxide condensates etc.
Methods of Application: Nonionic softener is used on fiber by the following way.
- Pad – dry – calender method
- Exhaust Method
Advantages and Disadvantages of Nonionic Softener: The advantages and disadvantages of nonionic softener are given below.
Advantages of Nonionic Softener:
- Nonionic softener is compatible with cationic, anionic agents, starch and resin.
- It does not create yellowish problems.
- It is applicable for all types of fibers.
- Nonionic softener can be applied in both exhaust and padding processes.
- It is compatible with silicon and cationic products used in finishing formulation.
- It does not influence on dyeing fastness.
- When treated fibers are heated it does not become yellow.
- Nonionic softener does not influence dye fastness.
- It does not irritate human skin.
- It is suitable for cheese dyeing process.
- It provides bulky and heavy feel.
- It keeps fabric low yellowing.
Disadvantages of Nonionic Softener:
- Nonionic softener gives temporary soft feel.
- It is comparatively costly then other softener.
- Not easily soluble in water.
So, when you will choose the softener, you have to consider the effect of that’s softener to the textile materials.
Anionic softener is not so used as cationic softener. Anionic softener is applied on cellulosic and its blend textile materials.
Properties of Anionic Softener: Properties of anionic softener are given below.
- Anionic softener is applied on cellulose and its blend.
- Anionic softener is not permanent and not fast to repeated washing.
- It is not stable in hard water.
- It has not enough affinity to cellulose.
- Examples of anionic softener is oil, fat, wax, soap, sulphated and sulphonated oils and sulphated fatty alcohol.
Methods of Application: Anionic softener is applied on the fabric by the following way.
- Fad – dry – calender
- Exhaust Method (Jigger / Winch)
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Anionic Softener: The advantages and disadvantages of anionic softener are given below.
Advantages Of Anionic Softener:
- Anionic softener is compatible with direct dyes, optical brightener, starch, resigns etc.
Disadvantages Of Anionic Softener:
- Anionic softener gives temporary finish on the textile materials.
- It gives poor softness.
- Because of less substantively, wastages become high.
Uses of Anionic Softener: Anionic softener is used in the following cases.
- Anionic softener is used to modify the softness of resin treated fabrics.
- Anionic softener is used as the lubricant for fiber during carding and drawing in spinning.
Anionic softener has lots of limitation for this reason its application area is smaller than cationic softener or nonionic softener.