Fiber treatment agent

Abstract

To provide a fiber-treating agent and a fiber-treating method capable of imparting excellent water-absorbing property, touch feeling, antistatic property and stain-proofing property to a fiber, and capable of obtaining the fiber hardly deteriorating the water-absorbing property, the touch feeling, the antistatic property and the stain-proofing property even when repeatedly washed.SOLUTION: The fiber treatment agent contains a cationic compound as a component (A) and a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant as a component (B), wherein the mass ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) [(A) / (B)] is more than 1 and less than 50.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber treatment agent. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to improve the quality and performance of clothing and bedding, technologies are being developed to impart various properties to natural fibers such as wool, silk, and linen, as well as synthetic fibers, which are used as materials for clothing and bedding. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for producing an antistatic textile product, which is characterized by a step of treating a textile material containing polycarboxylic acid-containing regenerated cellulose fiber and synthetic fiber in a treatment bath containing a specific cationic compound, with the aim of obtaining an antistatic textile product with excellent washing durability from a cellulose / synthetic fiber blend textile material without performing complicated treatments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-11661 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] From the viewpoint of improving the quality and performance of clothing and bedding, it is desired to improve not only the antistatic property of fibers but also the water absorbency, texture, and stain resistance. From the viewpoint of the above and from the viewpoint of improving the processability of fibers as raw materials into products, it is desired that the water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance of fibers are not easily deteriorated even after repeated washing.

[0005] The present invention relates to a fiber treatment agent and a fiber treatment method that can impart excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to fibers, and can obtain fibers whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are not easily reduced even after repeated washing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by using a fiber treating agent containing a cationic compound, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant in a specific ratio. The present invention relates to the following [1] and [2]. [1] A fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) Cationic compound (B) Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants A fiber treatment agent in which the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50. [2] A fiber treatment method having a step of contacting a fiber treatment agent with a fiber, The fiber treatment agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) Cationic compound (B) Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants A method for treating fibers, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fiber treatment agent and a fiber treatment method that can impart excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance to fibers, and that can obtain fibers whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance are not likely to deteriorate even after repeated washing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In this specification, "X to Y" indicating a numerical range means "X or more and Y or less." In addition, in this specification, the upper and lower limits of a numerical range can be combined in any combination.

[0009] [Textile treatment agent] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains the following components (A) and (B). (A) Cationic compound (B) Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50.

[0010] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention can impart excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to fibers, and can also provide fibers whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are resistant to deterioration even after repeated washing. Although the detailed reason for this is not clear, it is thought to be as follows. In the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, it is believed that the cationic compound (component (A)) interacts with the nonionic surfactant and the anionic surfactant (component (B)), thereby enhancing the hydrophobicity of component (A). When the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50, components (A) and (B) interact strongly, imparting excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to fibers. Furthermore, when the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can enhance the adsorptive power of component (A) to fibers. As a result, even when fibers treated with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention are repeatedly washed, it is believed that the state in which component (A) is adsorbed to the fibers is maintained, and the water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are less likely to decrease. The above reasons for the effects of the present invention are presumed and are not intended to be limiting.

[0011] The components contained in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention will be described below. The essential components (component (A) and component (B)) and optional components of the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0012] [Component (A): Cationic Compound] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains a cationic compound as component (A). The cationic compound refers to a compound having a cationic group and / or a group that becomes a cationic group in water. The cationic compound is preferably at least one selected from cationic low molecular weight compounds and cationic high molecular weight compounds. When the cationic compound is a cationic low molecular weight compound, the molecular weight of the cationic low molecular weight compound is preferably 50 or more, more preferably 100 or more, even more preferably 200 or more, and preferably 1,000 or less, more preferably 900 or less, even more preferably 800 or less. When the cationic compound is a cationic polymer compound, the cationic polymer compound may be a homopolymer or a copolymer, and means a cationic compound having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 1,200. The upper limit of the weight-average molecular weight of the cationic polymer compound is, for example, 10,000,000 or less, preferably 5,000,000 or less, and more preferably 2,000,000. The weight-average molecular weight of the cationic polymer compound can be measured in terms of polyethylene glycol by GPC (gel permeation chromatography). The measurement conditions are as follows. -GPC analysis conditions- Column: TSKgel α-M × 2 (Tosoh Corporation) Eluent: 50mmol / L LiBr, 1% CH3COOH, ethanol / water = 3 / 7 Temperature: 40℃ Flow rate: 0.6mL / min Detector: RI (differential refractive index detector)

[0013] Specific examples of cationic low-molecular-weight compounds include monoalkylammonium chloride, dialkylammonium chloride, ester cations (e.g., N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, monoalkyltrimethylammonium chloride, tetraalkylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and polyoxyethylene alkylamine. Among these, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, ester cations, and tetraalkylammonium chloride are preferred. Specific examples of cationic polymers include polyethyleneimine, polymers containing units derived from diallyldimethylammonium chloride (e.g., polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, diallyldimethylammonium chloride-acrylamide copolymer, polydimethylmethylenepiperidinium chloride, etc.), quaternary nitrogen-modified polysaccharides (e.g., cationically modified cellulose, cationically modified hydroxyethylcellulose, cationically modified guar gum, cationically modified locust bean gum, cationically modified starch, etc.), chitosan, hydroxypropyl chitosan, and cationic polymers containing units derived from vinylpyrrolidone (e.g., vinylpyrrolidone-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer, vinylpyrrolidone-methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride copolymer, vinylpyrrolidone-methylvinylimidazolium chloride copolymer, etc.). Among these, polyethyleneimine, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, cationically modified hydroxyethylcellulose (e.g., O-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl]hydroxyethylcellulose chloride), and chitosan are preferred. Among these, component (A) is more preferably at least one selected from N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, polyethyleneimine, cation-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, and chitosan, and even more preferably cation-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0014] [Component (B): At least one selected from nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants] The fiber treating agent of the present invention contains component (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant.

[0015] <Nonionic surfactants> Specific examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester alkylene oxide adducts, alkylamine alkylene oxide adducts, fatty acid amide alkylene oxide adducts, alkyl glycosides, sucrose fatty acid esters, alkanolamides, glycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid ester polyoxyalkylene glycol ethers, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene sorbit fatty acid esters, sorbit fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene glycerin fatty acid esters, tetrapolyoxyalkylene ethylenediamine condensates, polyoxyalkylene fatty acid amides, polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene castor oil, and polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil. Among these, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers are preferred.

[0016] <Anionic surfactants> Specific examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, alkyl phosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, acylated alanine salts, acylated N-methyl-β-alanine salts, acylated glutamate salts, acylated isethionate salts, acylated sarcosinate salts, acylated methyl taurine salts, acylated taurine salts, α-sulfofatty acid ester salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether carboxylate salts, polycarboxylate salts, ethercarboxylate salts, long-chain (8 to 24 carbon atoms) carboxylate salts, alkyldiphenylethersulfonate salts, and polyoxyalkylene fatty acid monoethanolamide sulfate salts. Among these, alkylbenzenesulfonates are preferred.

[0017] [Component (C): Water] The fiber treating agent of the present invention preferably contains water as component (C), from the viewpoints of dispersion stability and uniform contact with the fibers. The water is preferably ion-exchanged water.

[0018] [Other ingredients] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention may contain components other than the components (A) to (C) (other components) within the range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. Examples of other components include silicone oil, inorganic salts, and water-soluble organic solvents.

[0019] <Mass ratio [(A) / (B)]> The mass ratio [(A) / (B)] of component (A) to component (B) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is, from the viewpoint of improving the water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance of the fiber, more than 1 and less than 50. From the viewpoint of imparting excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to the fiber and obtaining a fiber whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance do not easily deteriorate even after repeated washing, the mass ratio [(A) / (B)] is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.3 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 2.0 or more, more preferably 2.5 or more, and more preferably 3.0 or more, and from the same viewpoint, is preferably 40 or less, more preferably 35 or less, more preferably 30 or less, even more preferably 25 or less, still more preferably 22 or less, still more preferably 20 or less, still more preferably 15 or less, still more preferably 12 or less, still more preferably 10 or less, still more preferably 9 or less, still more preferably 7 or less, still more preferably 6 or less, and still more preferably 5 or less. From the same viewpoint, the value of the mass ratio [(A) / (B)] is preferably more than 1 and not more than 40, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 30, preferably 1.1 or more and not more than 30, more preferably 1.2 or more and not more than 30, more preferably 1.2 or more and not more than 20, more preferably 1.2 or more and not more than 10, more preferably 1.2 or more and not more than 5, and more preferably 1.3 or more and not more than 5. Also, from the same viewpoint, the value of the mass ratio [(A) / (B)] is preferably more than 1 and not more than 9.

[0020] (Content of component (A)) When the fiber treating agent of the present invention contains water, the content (concentration) of component (A) in the fiber treating agent can be, for example, from 0.01% by mass to 90% by mass. When the fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains water, it is preferable that the fiber treatment agent be produced as a concentrate with a low water content from the viewpoints of production, storage, and transportation, and that the concentrate be diluted before use to use the diluted solution. The medium for diluting the concentrate is preferably water. From the viewpoints of production, storage, and transportation costs, the content of component (A) in the concentrate is preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass or more, even more preferably 40% by mass or more, still more preferably 60% by mass or more, and even more preferably 70% by mass or more, and from the viewpoint of storage stability, it is preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 85% by mass or less. From the same viewpoint, the content (concentration) of component (A) in the concentrate is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less.

[0021] From the viewpoint of facilitating contact of the diluent with the fibers, the content of component (A) in the diluent is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.003% by mass or more, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.03% by mass or more, and preferably 0.5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or less. From the same viewpoint, the content of component (A) in the diluent is preferably 0.001% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.003% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.003% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less, more preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 0.1% by mass or less.

[0022] (Content of component (B)) From the viewpoint of production, storage, and transportation costs, the content of component (B) in the concentrate is preferably 0.005% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more, more preferably 0.08% by mass or more, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more, and more preferably 1.0% by mass or more, and from the viewpoint of storage stability, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, and more preferably 5.0% by mass or less. From a similar viewpoint, the content of component (B) in the concentrate is preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, 0.1% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, and more preferably 1.0% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less.

[0023] From the viewpoint of facilitating contact of the dilution with the fibers, the content (concentration) of component (B) in the dilution is preferably 0.0005% by mass or more, more preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.003% by mass or more, and preferably 0.05% by mass or less, more preferably 0.03% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.02% by mass or less. From the same viewpoint, the content of component (B) in the dilution is preferably 0.0005% by mass or more and 0.05% by mass or less, more preferably 0.0005% by mass or more and 0.03% by mass or less, more preferably 0.0005% by mass or more and 0.02% by mass or less.

[0024] The mass ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant in component (B) (nonionic surfactant / anionic surfactant) is preferably 30 / 70 or more, more preferably 35 / 65 or more, more preferably 40 / 60 or more, more preferably 50 / 50 or more, even more preferably 60 / 40 or more, and is preferably 90 / 10 or less, more preferably 85 / 15 or less, more preferably 80 / 20 or less, even more preferably 75 / 25 or less, and even more preferably 70 / 30 or less, from the viewpoint of imparting excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to the fiber and of obtaining a fiber whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are resistant to deterioration even after repeated washing. From a similar viewpoint, the mass ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant in component (B) (nonionic surfactant / anionic surfactant) is preferably 30 / 70 or more and 90 / 10 or less, more preferably 30 / 70 or more and 85 / 15 or less, more preferably 30 / 70 or more and 80 / 20 or less, more preferably 30 / 70 or more and 75 / 25 or less, more preferably 30 / 70 or more and 70 / 30 or less, and more preferably 35 / 65 or more and 70 / 30 or less.

[0025] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of imparting excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to the fiber and obtaining a fiber whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance do not easily deteriorate even after repeated washing, the mass ratio of the cationic compound of component (A) to the anionic surfactant (component (A) cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.5 or more, even more preferably 2.0 or more, even more preferably 2.5 or more, and even more preferably 3.0 or more, and is preferably 450 or less, more preferably 350 or less, more preferably 250 or less, more preferably 150 or less, more preferably 100 or less, more preferably 50 or less, more preferably 40 or less, more preferably 30 or less, even more preferably 20 or less, even more preferably 15 or less, and even more preferably 12 or less. From a similar viewpoint, the mass ratio of the component (A) cationic compound to the anionic surfactant (component (A) cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is preferably more than 1 and not more than 450, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 250, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 100, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 50, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 30, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 20, more preferably more than 1 and not more than 15, and more preferably more than 1 and not more than 12.

[0026] (Total content of component (A) and component (B) in the solid content) The total content of component (A) and component (B) in the solids (non-volatile components) contained in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is preferably 90% by mass or more, more preferably 95% by mass or more, even more preferably 98% by mass or more, still more preferably 99% by mass or more, and still more preferably 99.5% by mass or more, and is 100% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of imparting excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to fibers and obtaining fibers whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are resistant to deterioration even after repeated washing.

[0027] (Content of component (C)) The content of component (C) in the fiber treating agent of the present invention can be appropriately selected so that the contents of components (A) and (B) in the fiber treating agent of the present invention fall within the above ranges.

[0028] (Total content of component (A), component (B) and component (C)) The total content of component (A), component (B), and component (C) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is preferably 90% by mass or more, more preferably 95% by mass or more, even more preferably 98% by mass or more, and even more preferably 99% by mass or more, and 100% by mass or less.

[0029] [pH of fiber treatment agent] When water is added to the fiber treatment agent of the present invention to prepare a fiber treatment liquid, from the viewpoint of improving the water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance of the fiber, the pH at 20°C is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 3 or more, even more preferably 4 or more, even more preferably 4.5 or more, and preferably 10.5 or less, more preferably 10 or less, even more preferably 9.5 or less. From the same viewpoint, the pH of the fiber treatment liquid at 20°C is preferably 2 or more and 10.5 or less, more preferably 3 or more and 10 or less, more preferably 4 or more and 10 or less, even more preferably 4.5 or more and 10 or less. The pH of the fiber treatment agent can be adjusted, for example, by changing the types and contents of component (A) and component (B).

[0030] [Fiber processing method] The fiber treatment method of the present invention includes a step of contacting a fiber with a fiber treatment agent, and the fiber treatment agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) Cationic compound (B) Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50.

[0031] In the fiber treatment method of the present invention, the fiber treatment agent preferably contains component (C) water and has a pH of 2 or more and 10.5 or less at 20° C. From the viewpoint of improving the water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance of the fiber, the pH at 20° C. is more preferably 3 or more, even more preferably 4 or more, and more preferably 10 or less, even more preferably 9.5 or less.

[0032] In the fiber treatment method of the present invention, the content of component (A) in the fiber treatment agent is preferably 0.001% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less. From the viewpoint of facilitating contact of the fiber treatment agent with the fibers, the content of component (A) in the fiber treatment agent is more preferably 0.003% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.3% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or less.

[0033] In the fiber treatment method of the present invention, the step of contacting the fiber with the fiber treatment agent can be carried out by a conventional method. For example, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may be added with water to form a fiber treatment liquid, and the fiber may be immersed in the fiber treatment liquid to bring the fiber into contact with the fiber treatment liquid. Alternatively, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may be added with water and sprayed onto the fiber. The fibers may be natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or silk, or synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyester, or polyamide. The form of the fibers is not limited, and examples include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and knitted fabrics. The fibers may also be used in products such as clothing and bedding.

[0034] [Use of fiber treatment agents] The use of the present invention is the use of the fiber treating agent of the present invention as an antistatic agent. The fiber treating agent of the present invention is as described above.

[0035] [Method for preventing static electricity from building up in textiles] The method for preventing static electricity buildup on fibers of the present invention comprises treating fibers with the fiber treating agent of the present invention. The fiber treating agent and fibers of the present invention are as described above. [Example]

[0036] The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way.

[0037] [Manufacturing of fiber treatment agents] Reference example 1 The fiber treatment agent of Reference Example 1 was produced by mixing 100 parts by mass of component (A) (component (A)-1 in Table 1: Tetranyl L1 / 90), 20 parts by mass of component (B) (component (B)-1 in Table 1: Softanol 70), and an amount of ion-exchanged water such that the content of component (A) was 0.05% by mass.

[0038] Reference Examples 2 to 17, Examples 1 to 6, Comparative Examples 1 to 5 The fiber treatment agents of Reference Examples 2 to 17, Examples 1 to 6, and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were produced in the same manner as in Reference Example 1, except that in the production of the fiber treatment solution of Reference Example 1, component (A) and component (B) were changed to those shown in Table 1. The content of component (A) in all fiber treatment agents was 0.05% by mass. The pH of the fiber treatment agent was measured using a pH meter (Toa Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd., HM-30G) at a measurement temperature of 20°C by immersing the pH meter electrodes in the fiber treatment agent and reading the value one minute later. The amounts added shown in Table 1 are the amounts (parts by mass) of the active ingredients (solid content) of each component.

[0039] [Table 1]

[0040] (Ingredient details) (A)-1: Tetranyl L1 / 90 (cationic low molecular weight compound) Manufactured by Kao Corporation, a mixture mainly consisting of N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, with a molecular weight of approximately 530 for N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate. (A)-2: Kotamine 60W (cationic low molecular weight compound) Kao Corporation, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, molecular weight 320 (A)-3: Unisense FPA100L Senka Corporation, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, weight average molecular weight of 20,000 or less (catalog value) (A)-4: Polyethyleneimine (cationic polymer compound) Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., weight average molecular weight 1,800 (catalog value) (A)-5: Polyquaternium-10 (cationic polymer compound) O-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl]hydroxyethylcellulose chloride, degree of substitution of cationic group 1.5, weight average molecular weight 800,000 (A)-6: Chitosan (cationic polymer compound) Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical, weight average molecular weight 15,000 (B)-1: Softanol 70 Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., in which ethylene oxide is added to a secondary alcohol having 12 to 14 carbon atoms (B)-2: Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.

[0041] [Preparation and evaluation of evaluation samples] [Preparation of evaluation samples] Fabric (100% acrylic fiber) was treated in a bath of the fiber treatment agent at 20°C with a bath ratio of 1:20 (mass ratio of fabric to fiber treatment solution) for 20 minutes. The fabric was then dehydrated and dried at 70°C to 80°C to obtain a sample (L-0) treated with the fiber treatment agent. The fiber treatment agents used were those of Reference Examples 2 to 17, Examples 1 to 6, and Comparative Examples 1 to 5. The obtained sample (L-0) was washed twice with a neutral detergent at room temperature in accordance with JIS L1930:2014 (simulating type B 8B, followed by dehydration and drying) to obtain sample (L-1) after one wash. The obtained sample (L-1) was washed four more times in the same way to obtain sample (L-5) after five washes. The samples (L-0) and (L-5) were subjected to the following evaluations 1 to 4. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0042] [Evaluation 1: Water absorption (sedimentation method)] Test pieces of 2 cm x 2 cm cut from each sample (L-5) were gently floated in water, and the time until they began to sink was measured and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. -Evaluation criteria- A: Less than 10 seconds B: More than 10 seconds but less than 30 seconds C: More than 30 seconds but less than 60 seconds D: More than 60 seconds

[0043] [Evaluation 2: Texture] The samples (L-0) and (L-5) were evaluated by a specialist panel for changes in texture (softness) compared to before treatment according to the following evaluation criteria. -Evaluation criteria- A: As soft as or softer than untreated fabric. B: Slightly inferior to the untreated fabric, but still sufficiently soft. C: Slightly inferior to untreated fabric, slightly inferior in flexibility. D: Inferior to untreated fabric, rough and hard.

[0044] [Evaluation 3: Antistatic] Using a Kyoto University Chemical Research Institute rotary static mixer (manufactured by Koa Shokai Co., Ltd.), samples (L-0) and (L-5) were charged at an applied voltage of 10 kV and a target distance of 20 mm, and the half-life (seconds) after the voltage was removed was measured and evaluated according to the following criteria. The shorter the half-life, the better the antistatic properties. -Evaluation criteria- A: Half-life of 10 seconds or less B: Half-life: Over 10 seconds and up to 30 seconds C: Half-life: Over 30 seconds and up to 60 seconds D: Half-life > 60 seconds

[0045] [Evaluation 4: Stain resistance] A dirt chamber test was conducted on 5cm x 8cm test pieces cut from each of sample (L-0) and sample (L-5). The dirt chamber test involved burning toluene in an in-house dirt chamber tester conforming to ASTM, conducting a soot adhesion test, and evaluating the results according to the following evaluation criteria. -Evaluation criteria- A: No soot adhesion B: Soot adhesion area is 20% or less C: Soot adhesion area is over 20% and 50% or less D: Soot adhesion area is over 50%

[0046] [Table 2]

[0047] Table 2 shows that fabrics (fibers) treated with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention are excellent in water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance, and are able to maintain their excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance even after five washes (Examples 1 to 6). In contrast, fiber treatment agents that do not contain component (A) are unable to impart texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance to the fabrics (fibers), and are inferior in water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance after five washes (Comparative Examples 1 to 5).

Claims

1. A fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) Cationic Compound (B) Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants A fiber treatment agent having a mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] of more than 1 and less than 50.

2. 2. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein a mass ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant (nonionic surfactant / anionic surfactant) is 30 / 70 or more and 90 / 10 or less.

3. 3. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of the cationic compound (A) to the anionic surfactant (cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is greater than 1 and less than or equal to 40.

4. 3. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and not greater than 9.

5. 3. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein component (A) is at least one selected from the group consisting of cationic low-molecular-weight compounds and cationic high-molecular-weight compounds.

6. The fiber treating agent according to claim 1 or 2, which contains component (C) water, and the content of component (A) in the fiber treating agent is 0.01% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less.

7. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 6, which has a pH at 20°C of 2 or more and 10.5 or less.

8. 3. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein component (A) is at least one selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride, polyethyleneimine, cation-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, and chitosan.

9. the nonionic surfactant is at least one selected from polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester alkylene oxide adducts, alkylamine alkylene oxide adducts, fatty acid amide alkylene oxide adducts, alkyl glycosides, sucrose fatty acid esters, alkanolamides, glycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid ester polyoxyalkylene glycol ethers, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, sorbitol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene glycerin fatty acid esters, tetrapolyoxyalkylene ethylenediamine condensates, polyoxyalkylene fatty acid amides, polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene castor oil, and polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil; The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anionic surfactant is at least one selected from alkyl sulfate salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate salts, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, alkyl phosphate salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphate salts, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfosuccinate salts, acylated alanine salts, acylated N-methyl-β-alanine salts, acylated glutamate salts, acylated isethionate salts, acylated sarcosinate salts, acylated methyl taurine salts, acylated taurine salts, α-sulfofatty acid ester salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether carboxylate salts, polycarboxylate salts, ethercarboxylate salts, long-chain carboxylate salts, alkyldiphenylethersulfonate salts, and polyoxyalkylene fatty acid monoethanolamide sulfate salts.

10. 10. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 9, wherein the nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether and the anionic surfactant is an alkylbenzene sulfonate.

11. 3. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein component (A) is a cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

12. A fiber treatment method comprising a step of contacting a fiber treatment agent with a fiber, The fiber treatment agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) Cationic Compound (B) Nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants A method for treating fibers, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50.

13. The fiber treatment method according to claim 12, wherein the mass ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant (nonionic surfactant / anionic surfactant) is 40 / 60 or more and 90 / 10 or less.

14. The fiber treatment method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the mass ratio of the cationic compound (A) to the anionic surfactant (cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is greater than 1 and greater than 40.

15. The fiber treatment method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and not greater than 9.

16. The fiber treatment method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the fiber treatment agent contains component (C) water and has a pH at 20°C of 2 or more and 10.5 or less.

17. 3. Use of the fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2 as an antistatic agent.

18. A method for preventing static electricity from building up in fibers, comprising treating fibers with the fiber treating agent according to claim 1 or 2.

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