Uses and compositions

Abstract

Use of an ester to treat surfaces, which are not homecare substrates, provides increased water repellency, reduced friction, or improved visual appearance. The ester is a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid (or a reactive equivalent) and a polyol. The ester may be a polymer comprising at least four monomer units. The acid may be succinic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, terephthalic acid, dodecanedioic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, citric acid, thiodiglycolic acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, diglycolic acid, suberic acid, pimelic acid, poly(ethylene glycol)bis(carboxymethyl) ether, a hydrogenated dimer acid, or azelaic acid. The polyol may be polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, ethylene glycol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, a hexanediol, castor oil, propanediol, a diethanolamine, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol ethoxylate, tris(2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium methylsulphate, diethylene glycol, butanediol, or a reaction product of glycerol carbonate with hexylamine, dodecylamine, ethylenediamine, or ethanolamine. A method of treating surfaces with the ester and a composition comprising the ester are claimed. The composition may contain a surfactant and 0.1-20 wt.% ester. [No Figure]