Treatment agent for long fiber nonwoven fabric and its use

Abstract

To provide a treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics that has excellent hydrophilicity. A treatment agent for a long-fiber nonwoven fabric, which contains a sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) and at least one selected from a phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) and a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C), and which satisfies the following condition 1: Condition 1: The foaming power at an effective concentration of 1.0% by weight at 25°C according to the Ross-Miles test is 150MM or less immediately after pouring, and 130MM or less 5 minutes after pouring.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics and its use. [Background technology]

[0002] Polyolefin-based synthetic fibers are generally used as raw fibers for nonwoven fabrics. For example, nonwoven fabrics are manufactured using long fibers made of polyolefin-based synthetic fibers. Nonwoven fabrics manufactured using long fibers are called long-fiber nonwoven fabrics. By applying a treatment agent that functions as a nonwoven fabric treatment agent to the nonwoven fabric, functions such as durable hydrophilicity are imparted to the nonwoven fabric. Nonwoven fabrics imparted with functions such as durable hydrophilicity are used in a wide range of fields, including hygiene materials, medical care, and civil engineering.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a treatment agent for nonwoven fabrics that contains an ether ester compound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 065261 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the nonwoven fabric treating agent of Patent Document 1 sometimes lacks hydrophilicity. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics that has excellent hydrophilicity, and to provide a long-fiber nonwoven fabric to which this treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics is attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of intensive research into solving the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have found that the problems can be solved by using a treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics that contains specific components and has foaming power within a certain range. That is, the treatment agent for a long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention is a treatment agent for a long-fiber nonwoven fabric containing a sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) and at least one surfactant selected from a phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) and a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C), the proportion of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) in the nonvolatile content of the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric is 60 to 95% by weight, and the total proportion of at least one surfactant selected from the phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) and the nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C) is 5 to 35% by weight, the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) contains sorbitan monolaurate, The felt settling test time below is less than 30 seconds, A treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics that satisfies the following condition 1. Condition 1: The foaming power at an effective concentration of 1.0% by weight at 25°C according to the Ross-Miles test is 150MM or less immediately after pouring, and 130MM or less 5 minutes after pouring. Felt settling test: Time required for a 2cm x 2cm piece of Olielt S20 (No. 103) manufactured by Nikke Co., Ltd., cut into pieces, to be floated in 100ml of diluted solution with an effective concentration of 1.0% by weight at 23°C.

[0007] It is preferable that the alkyl group of the activator (B) has 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and the activator (C) has an alkyl group of 6 to 14 carbon atoms. stomach.

[0008] The long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention is obtained by applying the above-mentioned treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics to a long-fiber nonwoven fabric. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention provides long-fiber nonwoven fabrics with excellent hydrophilicity. The long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention have excellent hydrophilicity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention contains at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a sorbitan fatty acid ester (A), a phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B), and a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C). Each component is described in detail below.

[0011] [Sorbitan fatty acid ester (A)] The sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is an essential component contained in the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics, and is a component that is primarily excellent in hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties.

[0012] From the viewpoint of anti-foaming properties, the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is preferably a compound to which no polyoxyalkylene group is added. The HLB of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is preferably 6 to 13, more preferably 7 to 12, and most preferably 8 to 11, from the viewpoint of excellent hydrophilicity. Examples of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) include sorbitan mono-fatty acid esters, sorbitan di-fatty acid esters, and sorbitan tri-fatty acid esters, and from the viewpoints of hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties, it is preferable to include sorbitan mono-fatty acid esters. The HLB value of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is an index showing the balance between hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, and can be calculated from the ratio of the organic value to the inorganic value of an organic compound, for example, by the Oda method described on page 212 of "Introduction to Surfactants" (published by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd. in 2007, written by Takehiko Fujimoto). HLB=10×Inorganic / Organic For the organic and inorganic values ​​used to derive HLB, see "Introduction to Surfactants" This can be calculated using the values ​​in the table on page 213.

[0013] When two or more types of compounds are used as the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A), the HLB value of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) can be calculated by a weighted average. For example, when the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is a combination of M1 parts by weight of a compound (AX) having an HLB value of H1 and M2 parts by weight of a compound (AY) having an HLB value of H2, the HLB value of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) can be calculated by the following formula: Sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) HLB value = (H1 × M1 + H2 × M2) / (M1 + M2)

[0014] From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties, the fatty acid constituting the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is preferably capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, etc., and among these, lauric acid is particularly preferred. Examples of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) include sorbitan monocaprate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monomyristate, sorbitan monopalmitate, and sorbitan monooleate, and from the viewpoints of hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties, sorbitan monolaurate is particularly preferred. These sorbitan fatty acid esters may be composed of one or more kinds. From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties, the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) is preferably liquid at room temperature (23° C.).

[0015] [Phosphate ester type anionic surfactant (B)] The phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) is a component that exhibits excellent hydrophilicity when used in combination with the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A).

[0016] In terms of hydrophilicity, the phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant (B) preferably has an alkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and even more preferably 6 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0017] Examples of the phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) include alkyl phosphates such as sodium hexyl phosphate, potassium hexyl phosphate, sodium octyl phosphate, potassium octyl phosphate, sodium 2-ethylhexyl phosphate, potassium 2-ethylhexyl phosphate, sodium dodecyl phosphate, potassium dodecyl phosphate, sodium stearyl phosphate, and potassium stearyl phosphate; polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts such as polyoxyethylene (3) lauryl ether sodium phosphate and polyoxyethylene (3) lauryl ether potassium phosphate; and polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether phosphate salts such as polyoxyethylene (3) lauryl phenyl ether sodium phosphate and polyoxyethylene (3) lauryl phenyl ether potassium phosphate. The phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) is preferably an alkyl phosphate ester salt or a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt, with alkyl phosphate ester salts being more preferred. These phosphate ester-type anionic surfactants (B) may be used alone or in combination of two or more. From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties, the phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant (B) preferably has an added molar number of polyoxyalkylene of 0 to 5 mol, more preferably 0 to 3 mol, even more preferably 0 to 2 mol, and most preferably 0 mol.

[0018] [Nonionic surfactant (C) having a polyoxyalkylene group] The nonionic surfactant (C) having a polyoxyalkylene group is a component that exhibits excellent hydrophilicity when used in combination with the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A). Examples of the nonionic surfactant (C) having a polyoxyalkylene group include polyoxyalkylene adducts of aliphatic alcohols (C-1), mono- or diesters of polyoxyalkylene glycols and fatty acids (C-2), and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicones (C-3).

[0019] From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity and anti-foaming properties, the nonionic surfactant (C) having a polyoxyalkylene group preferably has an alkyl group having a carbon number of 6 to 14. These nonionic surfactants having a polyoxyalkylene group may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0020] The polyoxyalkylene adduct of an aliphatic alcohol (C-1) is a compound having a structure in which an oxyalkylene is added to an aliphatic alcohol. Examples of the aliphatic alcohol include 2-ethylhexanol, lauryl alcohol, palmityl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol. In the polyoxyalkylene adduct of an aliphatic alcohol, the number of carbon atoms in the alkylene oxide is preferably 2 to 4. When two or more types of alkylene oxides are added, the order of addition is not particularly limited, and the addition form may be either block or random. Furthermore, from the viewpoints of hydrophilicity and foam-suppressing properties, the number of moles of alkylene oxide added is preferably 1 to 150, more preferably 2 to 50, and particularly preferably 3 to 20. From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity and foam-suppressing properties, the number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic alcohol is preferably 1 to 22, more preferably 6 to 14, and even more preferably 12 to 14. A distribution is also preferred, and it is preferable that the aliphatic alcohol contains at least two types of carbon atoms each having 12 to 14. The aliphatic alcohol may be saturated or unsaturated, and may be linear or branched.

[0021] Specific examples of the polyoxyalkylene adduct (C-1) of aliphatic alcohol include polyoxyethylene (6 moles) polyoxypropylene (2 moles) alkyl (C12,13) ​​ether (random adduct), polyoxyethylene (9 moles) polyoxypropylene (13 moles) octyl ether (block adduct), polyoxyethylene (10 moles) polyoxypropylene (2 moles) alkyl (C12,14) ether (random adduct), polyoxyethylene (7 moles) polyoxypropylene (17 moles) alkyl (C12,14) ether (block adduct), polyoxyethylene (12 moles) polyoxypropylene (3 moles) alkyl (C12,13) ​​ether (block adduct), and polyoxyethylene (60 moles) polyoxypropylene (15 moles) octyl ether (block adduct).

[0022] The mono- or diester (C-2) of polyoxyalkylene glycol and fatty acid is an ester compound having a structure in which polyoxyalkylene glycol and fatty acid are ester-bonded. Specific examples of the oxyalkylene group constituting the mono- or diester (C-2) of polyoxyalkylene glycol and fatty acid include oxyalkylene groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms (oxyethylene group, 1,2- or 1,3-oxypropylene group, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4- or 2,3-oxybutylene group, etc.). The oxyalkylene group may be one type or two or more types in combination. When two or more types of oxyalkylene groups are used in combination, they may be added in block or random manner. Specific examples of fatty acids constituting the mono- or diester (C-2) of polyoxyalkylene glycol and fatty acid include aliphatic carboxylic acids having 8 to 24 carbon atoms [aliphatic saturated carboxylic acids (caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, tridecanoic acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, etc.), aliphatic unsaturated carboxylic acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, etc.), and fatty acids from animal and vegetable oils (coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil, beef tallow, hydrogenated beef tallow, lard, etc.)].

[0023] Examples of the mono- or diester (C-2) of polyoxyalkylene glycol and fatty acid include (mono- or di)esters of polyoxyalkylene glycol and aliphatic carboxylic acid having 8 to 24 carbon atoms. Among these, coconut fatty acid monoester of polyoxyethylene glycol (having 5 to 10 repeating oxyethylene groups) is preferred from the viewpoint of exerting the effects of the present invention.

[0024] Examples of the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (C-3) include copolymers of alkyl (carbon number 1 to 3) siloxane and polyoxyalkylene (the alkylene group preferably has 2 to 5 carbon atoms). Among these, copolymers of dimethylsiloxane and polyoxyalkylene (polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, random or block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene, etc.) are preferred. Examples of such copolymers include compounds represented by the following general formula (I) or (II):

[0025] [ka] (In the formula, M, N, a, and b are average degrees of polymerization, and R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an acetyl group.)

[0026] Here, M is 10 to 10,000, preferably 100 to 300, N is 1 to 1,000, preferably 1 to 100, and it is preferable that M>N, a is 2 to 100, preferably 2 to 50, and b is 0 to 50, preferably 0 to 10. R is preferably hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an acetyl group.

[0027] [ka]

[0028] (In the formula, A, B, h, and i are average degrees of polymerization, R represents an alkyl group, and R′ represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an acetyl group.) Here, A is preferably 5 to 10,000, B is preferably 2 to 10,000, h is preferably 2 to 100, and i is preferably 0 to 50. R is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. R' is preferably hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an acetyl group.

[0029] Specific examples of polyoxyalkylene-modified silicones (C-3) include FZ-2104, FZ-2123, FZ-2191, L-7002, L-7604, SF8410, SH3746, SH8400, and SH8700 from the DOWSIL (registered trademark) series manufactured by Dow-Toray Industries, Inc.; KF-351A, KF-352A, KF-353, KF-354L, KF-355, KF-6008, KF-615A, KF-6011, and KF-6012 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.; and TSF4440, TSF4441, TSF4445, TSF4446, TSF4450, and TSF4452 manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan, LLC. The HLB of the polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (C-3) is preferably 4 to 18, more preferably 6 to 16, from the viewpoint of exerting the effects of the present invention.

[0030] [Treatment agent for long fiber nonwoven fabric] From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity, the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention has, as condition 1, a foaming power at an effective concentration of 1.0 wt % at 25°C according to the Ross-Miles test method of 150 MM or less immediately after pouring and 130 MM or less 5 minutes after pouring. Condition 1 is preferably such that, from the viewpoint of hydrophilicity, the value immediately after flowing is 140 mm or less, 100 mm or less, 60 mm or less, 50 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 15 mm or less, 10 mm or less, and 0 mm in that order, the smaller the value. Condition 1, from the viewpoint of hydrophilicity, is preferably such that the values ​​are smaller in the order of 120 mm or less, 100 mm or less, 60 mm or less, 40 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 10 mm or less, and 0 mm 5 minutes after immediately after flowing.

[0031] From the viewpoint of hydrophilicity, the treating agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention is preferably one that exhibits a felt settling test time of less than 30 seconds, less than 20 seconds, less than 15 seconds, and less than 10 seconds, in that order. The felt settling test time is the time it takes for a piece of Olieft S20 (No. 103) manufactured by Nikke Co., Ltd., cut into a 2 cm x 2 cm piece, to separate from the liquid surface and begin to settle when floated in 100 ml of emulsion at 23°C that has been diluted to an effective concentration of 1.0 wt %.

[0032] The proportion of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) in the nonvolatile content of the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention is preferably 60 to 95% by weight, more preferably 65 to 93% by weight, and even more preferably 70 to 90% by weight, from the viewpoint of hydrophilicity. In the present invention, the nonvolatile content refers to the bone-dry component when the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics is heat-treated at 105°C to remove the solvent and the like, and reaches a constant weight. The effective concentration in the present invention refers to the nonvolatile content.

[0033] When the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention contains a phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B), the proportion of the phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) in the nonvolatile components of the treatment agent is preferably 5 to 35% by weight, more preferably 7 to 30% by weight, and even more preferably 10 to 25% by weight, from the viewpoints of hydrophilicity and foam-suppressing properties. When the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention contains a nonionic surfactant (C) having a polyoxyalkylene group, the proportion of the nonionic surfactant (C) having a polyoxyalkylene group in the nonvolatile components of the treatment agent is preferably 5 to 35% by weight, more preferably 7 to 30% by weight, and even more preferably 10 to 25% by weight, from the viewpoints of hydrophilicity and foam-suppressing properties.

[0034] In the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention, the proportion of dialkyl sulfosuccinate in the nonvolatile content of the treatment agent is preferably as low as possible from the viewpoints of hydrophilicity and foam suppression, and is preferably 0 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0 to 10% by weight, even more preferably 0 to 5% by weight, particularly preferably 0 to 1% by weight, and most preferably 0% by weight. In the treating agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of the present invention, the proportion of the antifoaming agent in the non-volatile components of the treating agent is preferably as low as possible from the viewpoint of hydrophilicity, and is preferably 10% by weight or less, 5% by weight or less, 2% by weight or less, 1% by weight or less, 0.1% by weight or less, or 0% by weight, in that order. The antifoaming agent is, for example, at least one selected from silicone, organic solvent, mineral oil, animal and vegetable oil, and silica.

[0035] [Long-fiber nonwoven fabric] The long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention has the above-mentioned treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics adhered thereto. The long fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention is preferably a spunbond nonwoven fabric. Spunbond nonwoven fabrics are produced by heating and melting raw resin (high molecular weight polymer) in an extruder, extruding it through a spinneret with many fine holes, and stretching it into long fibers using a roll take-up or air sucker take-up. These long fibers are then accumulated on a net conveyor to produce a web, which is then entangled using a method such as needle punching, water jetting, or ultrasonic waves, or by partially bonding the fibers by thermocompression using an embossing roll, or by partially heat-sealing the fibers using air-through. The long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention includes not only a single-layer spunbond nonwoven fabric but also a composite sheet (for example, SM, SMS, SMMS, etc.) of a spunbond nonwoven fabric (S) and a meltblown nonwoven fabric (M).

[0036] Spunbond nonwoven fabrics have long fibers that are the constituent fibers of thermoplastic resins. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyolefin resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, acrylonitrile resins, vinyl resins, and vinylidene resins. Examples of polyolefin resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene. Examples of polyester resins include polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate. Examples of polyamide resins include nylon. Examples of vinyl resins include polyvinyl chloride. Examples of vinylidene resins include polyvinylidene chloride. One of these resins can be used alone, or two or more can be mixed together, and modified versions of these resins can also be used.

[0037] From the viewpoint of spinnability, spunbond nonwoven fabrics are preferably formed from polypropylene resin, a polyolefin-based resin. From the viewpoints of smoothness, improved skin feel, and ease of tearing, polypropylene resins preferably contain 5% to 100% by weight, more preferably 25% to 80% by weight, of one or more random copolymers, homopolymers, and block copolymers. These copolymers and homopolymers may be mixed, or other resins may be mixed. However, a mixture of polypropylene homopolymers and random copolymers is preferred because it is less susceptible to thread breakage during molding. Furthermore, random copolymers based on propylene components copolymerized with ethylene or an A-olefin are preferred, with ethylene-propylene copolymer resins being particularly preferred. From the same viewpoint, polypropylene resins preferably contain 5% by weight or more, more preferably 25% by weight or more, of ethylene-propylene copolymer resins. The ethylene-propylene copolymer resin preferably contains 1 to 20% by weight of ethylene.

[0038] The long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention may have a structure of a single fiber or a composite fiber with two or more thermoplastic resin components. It may also be composed of a blend of single fibers made from different thermoplastic resin materials, or a blend of a single fiber and a composite fiber. The composite fiber may have any of a sheath-core, side-by-side, or sea-island structure. Among these, sheath-core composite fibers, which use a low-melting-point resin as the sheath component and a high-melting-point resin as the core component, are particularly preferred because they have good thermal adhesiveness and a stable thermally bonded state. Other composite fibers that can be used include those with a modified cross-section, a split structure, and a hollow structure.

[0039] The treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics can be applied by known methods such as dipping, spraying, and coating (with a kiss coater or gravure coater) using a diluted treatment agent, and it is preferable to premix the agent and dilute it with a solvent such as water before applying it. When applying the treatment agent, the amount of the agent applied to the front and back of the nonwoven fabric may be different, if necessary.

[0040] When the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics is diluted with a solvent such as water and then applied, a drying step may be required. In this case, known methods utilizing convective heat transfer, conductive heat transfer, radiative heat transfer, etc. may be used, such as drying with hot air or infrared rays, or drying by thermal contact.

[0041] The long fiber nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of 8G / M 2 ~30G / M 2 It is preferable that the 2 ~25G / M 2 When the basis weight is within the above range, the balance between strength and flexibility tends to be excellent. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric of the present disclosure preferably has a thickness of 0.05 mm to 2.00 mm, and more preferably 0.10 mm to 1.00 mm. The amount of the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric to be applied must be in the range of 0.1 to 3% by weight based on the nonwoven fabric, and is preferably set to the minimum necessary because the fabric comes into direct contact with the human body. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The long-fiber nonwoven fabric to which the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric of the present invention is attached has excellent hydrophilicity and can therefore be suitably used for conventionally known nonwoven fabric applications, such as absorbent articles (disposable diapers, disposable pants, sanitary products, urine absorption pads, pet sheets, etc.), cosmetic materials (face masks, etc.), sanitary materials (poultices, sheets, towels, industrial masks, sanitary masks, hair caps, etc.), and packaging materials (oxygen absorbers, body warmers, hot compresses, food packaging materials). [Example]

[0043] The present invention will be described below using examples, but is not limited to these. The evaluation items and evaluation methods for each example and comparative example are as follows. The details of the treatment agents used in each example and comparative example and the evaluation results are summarized in Tables 1 to 3. In the details of the treatment agents, the blending ratios are all expressed in weight percent. However, Examples 11 to 14 are referred to as Reference Examples 11 to 14.

[0044] The nonvolatile content of the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric of each example and comparative example was prepared using the following components (A-1 to C-2). A-1: Sorbitan monolaurate (HLB: 10.8) A-2: Sorbitan monooleate (HLB: 8.2) B-1: Potassium octyl phosphate B-2: Potassium lauryl phosphate C-1-1: Polyoxyethylene (6 moles) polyoxypropylene (2 moles) alkyl (C12,13) ​​ether (random adduct) C-1-2: Polyoxyethylene (9 mol) polyoxypropylene (13 mol) octyl ether (block adduct) C-1-3: Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) polyoxypropylene (2 mol) alkyl (C12,14) ether (random adduct) C-2-1: PEG400 coconut fatty acid monoester C-2-2: PEG800 di-coconut fatty acid ester C-3-1: Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (KF-354L, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., HLB: 16) C-3-2: Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (DOWSIL (registered trademark) SF8410, manufactured by Dow-Toray Co., Ltd., HLB: 6) C-3-3: Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (KF-615A, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., HLB: 10) C-3-4: Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (DOWSIL® SH8400, manufactured by Dow-Toray Industries, Inc., HLB: 8) C-3-5: Polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone (KF-352A, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., HLB: 7) The ingredients were mixed in the ratios shown in Tables 1 to 4 and stirred to prepare the nonvolatile content of the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric of each Example and Comparative Example, and the following evaluations were performed.

[0045] [Wettability] This is a substitute evaluation to determine the uniformity of adhesion to nonwoven fabric. Specifically, a dilution solution was prepared by diluting each water-permeability agent with ion-exchange water to a concentration of 1.0% by weight of nonvolatile matter. A 2 x 2 cm piece of Olifelt S20 (No. 103) manufactured by Nikke Co., Ltd. was placed in a 100 ml glass beaker and floated in 100 ml of the dilution solution. The time (seconds) until the material left the liquid surface and began to settle was measured to evaluate uniform adhesion (temperature: 23°C). A shorter time until settling indicates better processability. The number of seconds was evaluated according to the following criteria. 5 is the best rating, and 3 or higher is suitable for practical use. 5...less than 10 seconds, 4...10 seconds to less than 20 seconds, 3...20 seconds to less than 30 seconds, 2...30 seconds to less than 60 seconds, 1...60 seconds or more

[0046] [Low foaming] Evaluation was performed using the Ross-Miles test method based on the method described in JIS K3362:2008, Section 8.5, Foaming Immediately and Foam Stability. Specifically, a dilution solution was prepared by diluting each water-permeable agent with ion-exchanged water to a concentration of 1.0% by weight of nonvolatile matter. 200 ml of the dilution solution was poured into 50 ml of the dilution solution from a height of 900 mm over a period of 30 seconds. The height of the foam generated was measured as the foam volume H1 [mm] immediately after the flow (10 seconds later) and the foam volume H2 [mm] 5 minutes after the flow. The test equipment, instruments, and operating methods were all in accordance with the specifications of JIS K3362. The temperature of the measuring device and dilution solution was adjusted to 25°C before the test. The test results were evaluated according to the following criteria. (foam control) ◎: H1≦30MM, ○: 30MM 150MM<h1> (foam-breaking) ◎: H2≦20MM, ○: 20MM 130MM Based on the above foam suppression and foam breaking properties, the low foaming property was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in the "Low Foaming" column of Tables 1 to 3. 5 is the best rating, and 3 or above is suitable for practical use. (Low foaming) 5: Both foam suppression and foam breaking are excellent 4: When foam suppression is good and foam breaking is excellent 3: When both foam suppression and foam breaking are good 2: If either foam suppression or foam breaking is x 1: When both foam suppression and foam breaking are x

[0047] [Repeated permeability] Measurements were conducted in accordance with the EDANA (European Nonwovens Industry Association) standard NWSP070.8.R0(15), and the results of the third measurement were recorded. Results of the third measurement of 3.5 seconds or less were judged as suitable for practical use and rated as OK, while results of more than 3.5 seconds were judged as ×.

[0048] [Table 1]

[0049] [Table 2]

[0050] [Table 3]

[0051] [Table 4]

[0052] As is clear from Tables 1 to 4, the treatment agents for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics of Examples 1 to 25 contain a sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) and at least one selected from a phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) and a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C), and have foam-suppressing properties that satisfy the above-mentioned condition 1. Therefore, they have good appearance and excellent wettability after long-term storage, thereby solving the problems of the present application. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the effects of the present application were also exhibited in diapers and sanitary products in which the nonwoven fabrics produced in the examples were used as topsheets. On the other hand, when the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) was not present (Comparative Examples 1 and 2), or when the foam-inhibiting properties that satisfy the above-mentioned condition 1 were not present (Comparative Example 3), at least one of the problems of the present application could not be solved.

Claims

1. a sorbitan fatty acid ester (A); at least one selected from a phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) and a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C); A treatment agent for a long-fiber nonwoven fabric comprising the proportion of the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) in the nonvolatile content of the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabric is 60 to 95% by weight, and the total proportion of at least one surfactant selected from the phosphate ester-type anionic surfactant (B) and the nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyalkylene group (C) is 5 to 35% by weight, the sorbitan fatty acid ester (A) contains sorbitan monolaurate, The felt settling test time below is less than 30 seconds, A treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics that satisfies the following condition 1. Condition 1: The foaming power at an effective concentration of 1.0% by weight at 25°C according to the Ross Miles test is 150MM or less immediately after pouring and 130MM or less 5 minutes after pouring. Felt settling test: Time required for a 2cm x 2cm piece of Olielt S20 (No. 103) manufactured by Nikke Co., Ltd. cut into pieces and floated in a diluted solution with an effective concentration of 1.0% by weight at 23°C to settle.

2. 2. The treatment agent for a long-fiber nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl group of the activator (B) has 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and the activator (C) has an alkyl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms.

3. A long-fiber nonwoven fabric to which the treatment agent for long-fiber nonwoven fabrics according to claim 1 or 2 has been applied.