Basic properties of softners

1. Anionic Softeners Cationic Softeners Non-ionic Softeners
Chemistry  Anionic softeners have a
negative charge on the
molecules.
 Negative charge comes
from either:
Carboxylate group (-
COO-),
Sulfate group (-OSO3-)
Phosphate group (-PO4-)
 Anionic softeners orient
themselves with their
negatively charged ends
repelled away from the
negatively charged fiber
surface.
 Sulfates and sulfonates
make up bulk of anionic
softeners
 Cationic softeners are
ionicmoleculesthathave
a positive charge on the
large part of the
molecule.
 Cationic softeners are
based on nitrogen, either
in form of an amine or in
form of a Quaternary
ammonium salt.
 Due to electronic field
developed by negative
surface charged fiber,
cationic softener orient
themselves with their
positive end attracted
towardsfibersurface and
hydrocarbon tail
outwards.
 Nonionicsofteners donot carry
any electrical charge and
therefore donotpossessany
distinctive substantivity.
 Non-ionicsoftenersare generally
ethersandesters,ethoxylated
products,paraffinsandfats.
 The orientationof non-ionic
softenersdependsonthe nature
of the fibersurface. With
hydrophilicportionof the
softenerbeingattractedto
hydrophilicsurface and
hydropgobicportionbeing
attractedto hydrophobic
surface.
Properties  They have good
characteristics as
lubricating softening
agentsandgive the fabric
a full hand.
 Theyare unstable inhard
water and acid
environment.
 Anionic softeners are
heat stable at normal
textile processing
temperature and
compatible with other
components of dye and
bleach baths.
 They can easily be
washed off and provide
strong antistatic effects
 They are recommended
for all types of fiber, and
can be also applied with
exhaustion process in
acid environment (pH 4-
5).
 These are also called
molecular finishing
agentsbecause theyform
bonds with the cationic
group on the surface of
the fiber generally with
negative electric
potential.
 They can give some
problem in presence of
large anions,andtheycan
cause change in dye
 Non-ionic spfteners are generally
applied to synthetic and their
blends
 These softening agents are
generally less efficient than
anionicandcationiconesbutthey
withstand the effects of hard
waters,acidorbasicenvironment
and also stable in presence of
cations and anions.
 As they do not bear any charge,
theyare mainlyappliedbyforced
applicationlike paddingmethods.
 They are fairly soluble in water.
 Nonionicsoftenersare chemically
fatty acids, ethylene oxide
condensates etc.

2. and good rewetting
properties because their
anionic groups are
oriented outward and
are surroundedbyathick
hydration layer.
 They are often used for
special applications,such
as medical textiles, or in
combinationwithanionic
fluorescent brightening
agents.
toning, or a reduction in
fastness to light values in
the presence of direct
and reactive dyes.
Pros and Cons Anionicsoftenershave
followingadvantages;
 Impart pliabilityand
flexibility
 Good stabilitytowards
heat
 Resistive toyellowing
 Increase hydrophilicityof
fabric
Followingare some
disadvantages:
 Can not be applied
throughexhaustprocess
 Higheramountof
softenerused
 Incompatible with
stabilizedemulsions,
electrolytes andresins.
Cationicsoftenershave
followingadvantages:
 Bestsoftness
 Durable to laundering
 Compatible withresins
and otherfinishes
 Good tearand abrasion
resistance
 Fabricbecome
hydrophobic
Followingare some
disadvantages:
 Notcompatible with
anionicproducts
 Theyattracts soil and
exposure tolightmay
cause yellowness.Not
suitable forwhite fabrics
 Adverselyaffectlight
fastnessof directand
reactive dyes
 Poorbiodegradability
 Toxicto fish
 Poorrewetting
properties
 Form fabricsurface
hydrophobic
 Causesshade change
 Poorrubbingfastness
Nonionicsoftenershave following
advantages:
 Highlubricity
 Stable at extreme pHandheat
 Compatible withmostchemicals
 Good non-yellowing properties
 Do not cause shade change
 Easilyremovedif reprocessingis
necessary
 Economical
Followingare some disadvantages:
 Poorhandle amongothertypes
 Negative effectonwetfastness
propertiesof dyes
 Can not easilybe appliedby
exhaust.

3. Evaluation evaluationof anionic
softnerscanbe done bytwo
methods:
 Subjective evaluation
subjective evaluation
include sensory
perception
 Objective evaluation
Objective evaluation
include Kawabata
EvaluationSystem-
Fabric.
 Indirectmethodsare
alsousedwhichare used
accordingto the
propertyneeded.
Followingare some:
Whiteness
BendingLength
(Note:These evaluationare
done basedoneffectof
softeneronthe certain
properties)
evaluationof cationic
softnerscanbe done bytwo
methods:
 Subjective evaluation
subjective evaluation
include sensory
perception
 Objective evaluation
Objective evaluation
include Kawabata
EvaluationSystem-
Fabric.
 Indirectmethodsare also
usedwhichare used
accordingto the
propertyneeded.
Followingare some:
Whiteness
BendingLength
WashingFastness
Tear Strength
AbrasionResistance
RubbingFastness
(Note:These evaluationare
done basedoneffectof
softeneronthe certain
properties)
evaluationof nonionicsoftnerscan
be done by twomethods:
 Subjective evaluation
subjective evaluationinclude
sensoryperception
 Objective evaluation
Objective evaluationinclude
KawabataEvaluationSystem-
Fabric.
 Indirectmethodsare alsoused
whichare usedaccordingto the
propertyneeded.Followingare
some:
Whiteness
BendingLength
Abrasion Resistance
RubbingFastness
WashingFastness
(Note:These evaluationare done
basedon effectof softeneronthe
certainproperties)