Substances for the treatment of short fibers, synthetic fibers, and methods for the production of non-woven fabrics.

Abstract

DEPCT66 This invention addresses the problem of improving water repellency and protective properties. The generation of static electricity in synthetic fibers and the improvement of the stability of solutions of substances. The treatment of short fibers, the substance of the treatment of short fibers will have the following components (A), The following component (B), and the following component (C) are compounds. Esters of monohydric alcohols containing C12-22 hydrocarbons and fatty acids. Monovalent hydrocarbons with C12-22 group components (B) are at least one selectable type. Among the alkyl phosphate ester salts containing the C16-22 alkyl group and alkyl phosphate salts. Esters containing a C4-8 alkyl group (C) are of at least one selectable type from fatty acids. Containing C12-22 hydrocarbon groups and their salts. -----------------------------------------------------------

Description

Processing agent for short fibers, synthetic fibers, and method for producing nonwoven fabrics

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing agent for short fibers, a synthetic fiber, and a method for producing a nonwoven fabric.

[0002] Generally, synthetic fibers are used as the raw material for nonwoven fabrics. For example, nonwoven fabrics are made by preparing staple synthetic fibers and then passing the staple fibers through a carding machine to form a web. Nonwoven fabrics are manufactured by the thermal bonding method, in which the web is treated with hot air to bond the staple fibers together.

[0003] Furthermore, synthetic fibers can be given water-repellent properties by applying a treatment agent for short fibers. Nonwoven fabrics made from synthetic fibers that have been given water-repellent properties are used in a wide range of fields, including hygiene products, medical care, and civil engineering.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a short fiber treatment agent containing an alkyl phosphate salt having a specified hydrocarbon group, an ester compound of an alcohol having a specified hydrocarbon group and a fatty acid having a specified hydrocarbon group, and a silicone compound.

[0005] International Publication No. 2017 / 199702

[0006] In addition to providing functions such as water repellency, short fiber treatment agents are also required to improve the carding process in the nonwoven fabric manufacturing process and to suppress scum generation on the production line in the staple manufacturing process. To improve the carding process, for example, it is necessary to improve the antistatic properties of synthetic fibers to which the short fiber treatment agent is applied. Furthermore, to suppress scum generation, for example, it is necessary to improve the solution stability of the short fiber treatment agent.

[0007] The short fiber treatment agent for solving the above-mentioned problems contains the following component (A), component (B), and component (C), and when the total content of component (A), component (B), and component (C) is taken as 100 parts by mass, the short fiber treatment agent contains 50 parts by mass or more of component (A), and the content of component (A) in the short fiber treatment agent exceeds 40% by mass.

[0008] Component (A): An ester compound of a monohydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and a monovalent fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Component (B): At least one selected from an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group with 16 to 22 carbon atoms and an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group with 4 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0009] Component (C): at least one selected from fatty acids having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and salts thereof (excluding embodiments in which the short fiber treatment agent contains 10% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less of a condensate of a polyoxyalkylene group-containing hydroxy fatty acid polyhydric alcohol ester and a dicarboxylic acid (or a dicarboxylic acid derivative) and / or an ester of the condensate in which at least one hydroxyl group has been blocked with a fatty acid). In other words, the short fiber treatment agent does not contain 10% by mass or more and 45% by mass or less of the condensate and / or the ester derived therefrom, but rather does not contain them at all, or if it does contain them, the amount is less than 10% by mass or more than 45% by mass, and preferably less than 10% by mass.

[0010] The above-mentioned short fiber treating agent preferably contains 50 to 80 parts by mass of the component (A), 10 to 40 parts by mass of the component (B), and 1 to 10 parts by mass of the component (C), assuming that the total content of the components (A), (B), and (C) is 100 parts by mass.

[0011] The short fiber treatment agent preferably further contains a polyoxyalkylene derivative as component (D). The content of component (D) in the short fiber treatment agent is preferably 5 to 30 mass %.

[0012] The above-mentioned treatment agent for short fibers preferably contains 60 to 80 parts by mass of the component (A), 10 to 30 parts by mass of the component (B), 1 to 10 parts by mass of the component (C), and 5 to 20 parts by mass of the component (D), where the total content of the components (A), (B), (C), and (D) is 100 parts by mass.

[0013] The synthetic fibers for solving the above problems are characterized by having the above-mentioned short fiber treatment agent adhered thereto. The synthetic fibers are preferably polyolefin-based synthetic fibers.

[0014] A method for producing a nonwoven fabric that solves the above problems is summarized as comprising the following steps 1 to 3: Step 1: A step of applying the staple fiber treatment agent described in any one of claims 1 to 5 to synthetic fibers. Step 2: A step of passing the synthetic fibers to which the staple fiber treatment agent has been applied in step 1 through a carding machine to obtain a web. Step 3: A step of subjecting the web obtained in step 2 to a heat fusion treatment to obtain a nonwoven fabric. That is, the method comprises the steps of applying the staple fiber treatment agent to synthetic fibers, passing the synthetic fibers to which the staple fiber treatment agent has been applied through a carding machine to obtain a web, and subjecting the obtained web to a heat fusion treatment to obtain a nonwoven fabric.

[0015] In the method for producing the nonwoven fabric, the synthetic fibers are preferably polyolefin-based synthetic fibers.

[0016] According to the present invention, the water repellency and antistatic properties of synthetic fibers can be improved, and the solution stability of the treatment agent for short fibers is also improved.

[0017] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the short fiber treating agent (hereinafter also simply referred to as treating agent) according to the present invention will be described.

[0018] The treatment agent of this embodiment contains the following component (A), component (B), and component (C). In one aspect of this embodiment, the treatment agent contains 50 parts by mass or more of component (A), relative to 100 parts by mass of the total content of components (A), (B), and (C). In one aspect of this embodiment, the content of component (A) in the treatment agent exceeds 40% by mass, or is 50% by mass or more, 60% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, 72% by mass or more, or 75% by mass or more.

[0019] Component (A): An ester compound of a monohydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and a monovalent fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Component (B): At least one selected from an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group with 16 to 22 carbon atoms and an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group with 4 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0020] Component (C): At least one selected from fatty acids having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and salts thereof. When the treatment agent contains the above components and the total content of components (A), (B), and (C) is taken as 100 parts by mass, the treatment agent contains 50 parts by mass or more of component (A), thereby improving the water repellency and antistatic properties of synthetic fibers, as described below. Furthermore, the solution stability of the treatment agent is improved.

[0021] The monohydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (A) may be an aliphatic alcohol or an aromatic alcohol. It may also be a straight-chain aliphatic alcohol or a branched-chain aliphatic alcohol. It may also be a saturated aliphatic alcohol or an unsaturated aliphatic alcohol.

[0022] The monohydric alcohol is preferably a straight-chain aliphatic alcohol, since this does not adversely affect the antistatic properties. The number of carbon atoms in the monohydric alcohol is more preferably 16 to 20.

[0023] Specific examples of the monohydric alcohol include octadecyl alcohol, hexadecyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, isooctadecyl alcohol, isotridecyl alcohol, docosyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol, and tetradecyl alcohol.

[0024] The monohydric alcohols may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The monohydric fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (A) may be a saturated fatty acid or an unsaturated fatty acid. Furthermore, it may be a straight-chain fatty acid or a branched-chain fatty acid.

[0025] Specific examples of the monovalent fatty acids include octadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, isooctadecanoic acid, docosanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, etc. The monovalent fatty acids may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0026] The alkyl group having 16 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl phosphate salt having an alkyl group having 16 to 22 carbon atoms in component (B) may be a linear alkyl group or a branched alkyl group.

[0027] The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is preferably 16 to 20. Specific examples of the alkyl group include an octadecyl group, a hexadecyl group, and a docosyl group.

[0028] The alkyl group may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In addition, the alkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl phosphate salt having an alkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms in component (B) may be a linear alkyl group or a branched alkyl group.

[0029] Specific examples of the alkyl group include a 2-ethylhexyl group, an octyl group, a hexyl group, a butyl group, etc. The alkyl groups may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] Examples of the salt constituting the alkyl phosphate ester salt include amine salts and metal salts. The amine constituting the amine salt may be any of primary amines, secondary amines, and tertiary amines. Examples of amines that can form amine salts include: (1) aliphatic amines such as methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, N-N-diisopropylethylamine, butylamine, dibutylamine, 2-methylbutylamine, tributylamine, octylamine, and dimethyllaurylamine; (2) aromatic amines or heterocyclic amines such as aniline, N-methylbenzylamine, pyridine, morpholine, piperazine, and derivatives thereof; (3) alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, dibutylethanolamine, butyldiethanolamine, octyldiethanolamine, and lauryldiethanolamine; (4) arylamines such as N-methylbenzylamine; (5) polyoxyalkylene alkylamino ethers such as polyoxyethylene laurylamino ether and polyoxyethylene stearylamino ether; and (6) ammonia.

[0031] Examples of metal salts include alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts. Examples of alkali metals constituting alkali metal salts include sodium, potassium, lithium, etc. Examples of alkaline earth metals constituting alkaline earth metal salts include metals belonging to Group 2 elements, such as calcium, magnesium, beryllium, strontium, and barium.

[0032] The metal salt is preferably potassium, since this can further improve antistatic properties. The alkyl phosphate salt of component (B) includes, for example, a monoester alone, a diester alone, and a mixture of a monoester and a diester. The diester includes diesters having the same alkyl group (symmetric diesters) and diesters having different alkyl groups (asymmetric diesters).

[0033] The fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (C) may be a saturated fatty acid or an unsaturated fatty acid. It may also be a straight-chain fatty acid or a branched-chain fatty acid. It may also be a monovalent fatty acid or a polyvalent fatty acid.

[0034] Furthermore, the fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (C) is preferably a fatty acid having an unsaturated bond with 16 to 20 carbon atoms. By using a fatty acid having an unsaturated bond with 16 to 20 carbon atoms, solution stability can be further improved without reducing water repellency.

[0035] Furthermore, examples of the salt constituting the salt of fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group having 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (C) include the same metal salts as those constituting the alkyl phosphate ester salt.

[0036] Specific examples of the fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and its salt in component (C) include potassium oleate, oleic acid, potassium octadecanoate, sodium oleate, potassium docosanoate, potassium dodecanoate, potassium tetradecanoate, and potassium hexadecanoate.

[0037] The fatty acids having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and salts thereof may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The treating agent preferably contains 50 to 80 parts by mass of component (A), 10 to 40 parts by mass of component (B), and 1 to 10 parts by mass of component (C), where the total content of components (A), (B), and (C) is 100 parts by mass.

[0038] The treatment agent preferably further contains a polyoxyalkylene derivative as component (D). By containing the polyoxyalkylene derivative, the solution stability of the treatment agent is further improved.

[0039] Examples of the polyoxyalkylene derivatives include compounds in which alkylene oxides are added to alcohols or carboxylic acids, and ether / ester compounds in which alkylene oxides are added to ester compounds of carboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols. The alcohols or carboxylic acids may be linear or branched aliphatic alcohols or carboxylic acids, or aromatic alcohols or carboxylic acids. They may also be saturated alcohols or carboxylic acids, or unsaturated alcohols or carboxylic acids. They may also be monohydric, dihydric or higher hydric alcohols or carboxylic acids.

[0040] The alkylene oxide is preferably an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Specific examples of alkylene oxides having 2 to 4 carbon atoms include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide. Of these, ethylene oxide is preferred. The polymerization sequence is not particularly limited, and may be a random adduct or a block adduct.

[0041] The number of moles of alkylene oxide added per mole of the alcohols, carboxylic acids, or ester compounds of carboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols is preferably 5 to 100 moles, more preferably 5 to 30 moles.

[0042] Examples of the polyoxyalkylene derivatives include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkyl esters, polyoxyalkylene alkenyl esters, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkylamines, polyoxyalkylene alkenylamines, salts of polyoxyalkylene alkylamines with inorganic acids, and salts of polyoxyalkylene alkenyl amino ethers with inorganic acids.

[0043] Specific examples of the polyoxyalkylene derivatives include polyoxyethylene (5 mol) oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene (10 mol) hydrogenated castor oil ether, polyoxyethylene (20 mol) sorbitan monooctadecyl ester, polyoxyethylene (7 mol) oleyl ester, and polyoxyethylene (7 mol) octadecyl ether.

[0044] The polyoxyalkylene derivatives may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of component (D) in the treatment agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 30 mass %.

[0045] By having the content of component (D) within the above range, the solution stability of the treatment agent can be further improved without reducing water repellency. The treatment agent preferably contains 60 to 80 parts by mass of component (A), 10 to 30 parts by mass of component (B), 1 to 10 parts by mass of component (C), and 5 to 20 parts by mass of component (D), where the total content of components (A), (B), (C), and (D) is 100 parts by mass.

[0046] The treating agent may contain a fluorine-based compound such as a perfluoroalkyl group-containing compound or a silicone compound as other component (E). The fluorine-based compound is generally used as a fluorine-based surfactant for the purpose of imparting water repellency.

[0047] The silicone compounds are generally used as oil agents with high water repellency. Specific examples of the silicone compounds include dimethyl silicone, phenyl-modified silicone, amino-modified silicone, amide-modified silicone, polyether-modified silicone, aminopolyether-modified silicone, alkyl-modified silicone, alkylaralkyl-modified silicone, alkylpolyether-modified silicone, ester-modified silicone, epoxy-modified silicone, carbinol-modified silicone, mercapto-modified silicone, and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone.

[0048] The content of the other component (E) in the treatment agent is preferably 1% by mass or less, and more preferably 0% by mass, i.e., the treatment agent does not contain the other component (E). By having the content of at least one of the fluorine-based compound and the silicone compound within the above numerical range, i.e., 1% by mass or less, or even 0% by mass, the solution stability of the treatment agent can be improved.

[0049] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the synthetic fiber according to the present invention will be described. The synthetic fiber of this embodiment has the treatment agent of the first embodiment adhered to it. Specific examples of synthetic fibers include: (1) polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, and polybutene fibers; (2) polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate isophthalate, and polyether polyester; (3) polyamide fibers such as nylon 6 and nylon 66; and (4) composite fibers having a core-sheath structure in which either the core or the sheath, or both, are polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene / polypropylene composite fibers or polyethylene / polyester composite fibers in which the sheath is polyethylene fiber; or polyethylene / polyester composite fibers or polyethylene / polyester composite fibers having a side-by-side structure. Among these, polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, and polybutene fibers, and composite fibers with a core-sheath structure in which either the core or the sheath, or both, are polyolefin fibers, for example, polyethylene / polypropylene composite fibers and polyethylene / polyester composite fibers in which the sheath is a polyethylene fiber, and polyolefin synthetic fibers such as polyethylene / polypropylene composite fibers and polyethylene / polyester composite fibers having a side-by-side structure are preferred.

[0050] Here, polyolefin synthetic fibers refer to synthetic fibers synthesized using olefins or alkenes as monomers. There are no particular restrictions on the length of the synthetic fibers, but staple fibers with a fiber length of about 30 mm to about 70 mm are preferred.

[0051] There is no particular limit to the amount of the treatment agent of the first embodiment that is applied to the synthetic fibers, but it is preferable to apply the treatment agent (not including the solvent) in an amount of 0.1 to 2 mass % relative to the synthetic fibers, and more preferably 0.3 to 1.2 mass %.

[0052] The treatment agent can be applied to synthetic fibers by a known method, such as a dipping method, a spraying method, a roller method, or a guide oiling method using a metering pump, using, for example, an aqueous liquid containing the treatment agent of the first embodiment and water, or a solution further diluted with water.

[0053] The aqueous liquid can be prepared by a known mechanical emulsification method using a homomixer, homogenizer, etc. A nonwoven fabric is produced using the synthetic fiber of this embodiment by the following method.

[0054] Step 1: An application step in which the treatment agent of the first embodiment is applied to synthetic fibers. Step 2: A web formation step in which the synthetic fibers that have been subjected to step 1 are passed through a carding machine to form a web.

[0055] Step 3: A heat-sealing step in which the web obtained in Step 2 is subjected to a heat-sealing treatment to fuse the fibers together. A nonwoven fabric can be produced through these steps. Since the fibers are thermally fused together, the nonwoven fabric can be called a thermal-bonded nonwoven fabric.

[0056] The treatment agent of the first embodiment and the synthetic fiber of the second embodiment can achieve the following effects. (1) The treatment agent contains the above-mentioned components (A), (B), and (C), and when the total content of components (A), (B), and (C) is taken as 100 parts by mass, the treatment agent contains 50 parts by mass or more of component (A), and the content of component (A) in the treatment agent exceeds 40% by mass. This improves the water repellency and antistatic properties of the synthetic fiber and also improves the solution stability of the treatment agent. By improving the antistatic properties, it becomes possible to improve the carding process during nonwoven fabric production. Furthermore, by improving the solution stability of the treatment agent, it becomes possible to suppress scum during the staple production process.

[0057] (2) The treatment agent contains a polyoxyalkylene derivative as component (D), which further improves the solution stability of the treatment agent. (3) Even if the content of other component (E) in the treatment agent is 1% by mass or less, the water repellency and antistatic properties of synthetic fibers can be improved. In addition, the solution stability of the treatment agent can be improved.

[0058] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent. The treatment agent may contain components typically used in treatment agents, such as stabilizers for preserving the quality of the treatment agent, antistatic agents, antistatic agents, binders, antioxidants, UV absorbers, and defoamers, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0059] Examples will be given below to more specifically explain the configuration and effects of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following explanations of the examples and comparative examples, % means % by mass.

[0060] Test Section 1 (Preparation of Treatment Agent for Short Fibers) (Example 1) 160 g of component (A-1) shown in Table 1, 25 g of a 40% solution of component (B1-1), 14.3 g of a 70% solution of component (B2-2), 20 g of a 20% solution of component (C-1), 10 g of component (D-1), and 6 g of component (D-2) were weighed and added to a beaker. These were stirred at a temperature of approximately 80°C to mix uniformly. Further, water at 20°C was added to the beaker while stirring to mix uniformly, bringing the total to 1,000 g. Thereafter, emulsification was carried out using a homogenizer to prepare a 20% aqueous solution of a treatment agent for short fibers.

[0061] (Examples 2 to 28, Reference Examples 1 and 2, and Comparative Examples 1 to 6) The short fiber treatment agents of Examples 2 to 28, Reference Examples 1 and 2, and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the components shown in Table 1.

[0062] The types and contents of component (A), component (B), component (C), component (D), and other component (E) in the treatment agent of each example are as shown in the "Component (A)" column, the "Component (B)" column, the "Component (C)" column, the "Component (D)" column, and the "Other component (E)" column in Table 1, respectively.

[0063]

[0064] Details of each component A-1 to A-9, rA-1, B1-1 to B1-5, B2-1 to B2-3, C-1 to C-6, D-1 to D-5, and E-1 listed in the type column of Table 1 are as follows.

[0065] (Component (A)) The type and number of carbon atoms of the monohydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (A), and the type and number of carbon atoms of the monohydric fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (A) are shown in the "Monohydric alcohol" column and the "Monohydric fatty acid" column in Table 2, respectively.

[0066]

[0067] (Component (B)) B1-1: Octadecyl phosphate potassium salt B1-2: Hexadecyl phosphate potassium salt B1-3: Octadecyl phosphate sodium salt B1-4: Octadecyl phosphate triethanolamine salt B1-5: Docosyl phosphate potassium salt B2-1: Butyl phosphate potassium salt B2-2: Octyl phosphate potassium salt B2-3: 2-Ethylhexyl phosphate potassium salt The types and carbon numbers of alkyl groups having 16 to 22 carbon atoms and alkyl groups having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and the types of alkyl phosphate salts in component (B) are shown in the "Alkyl group" and "Salt" columns of Table 3, respectively.

[0068]

[0069] (Component (C)) C-1: Potassium oleate C-2: Oleic acid C-3: Potassium octadecanoate C-4: Sodium oleate C-5: Potassium docosanoate C-6: Potassium dodecanoate The types and carbon numbers of fatty acids or salts thereof having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms in component (C) are shown in the "Fatty acid or salt thereof" column and the "Carbon number" column of Table 4, respectively.

[0070]

[0071] (Component (D)) D-1: Polyoxyethylene (5 mol) oleyl ether D-2: Polyoxyethylene (10 mol) hydrogenated castor oil ether D-3: Polyoxyethylene (20 mol) sorbitan monooctadecyl ester D-4: Polyoxyethylene (7 mol) oleyl ester D-5: Polyoxyethylene (7 mol) octadecyl ether (Other component (E)) E-1: Dimethyl silicone Test section 2 (Production of synthetic fibers and nonwoven fabrics) Synthetic fibers and nonwoven fabrics were produced using the short fiber treatment agent prepared in test section 1.

[0072] The synthetic fibers used were polyolefin-based composite fibers with a polyethylene sheath and a polyester core, and were short staple fibers with a fineness of 2.2 dtex and a length of 38 mm.

[0073] A 0.4% aqueous solution, which was a further dilution of the 20% aqueous solution of the staple fiber treatment agent prepared in Test Section 1, was sprayed onto 100 g of this synthetic fiber. The amount of solids applied to the staple was 0.4% by mass (excluding the solvent). The synthetic fiber with the treatment agent applied was dried for 1 hour in a hot air dryer at 80°C.

[0074] 20 g of the dried synthetic fibers were subjected to a known miniature roller carding machine under conditions of a temperature of 25°C and a humidity of 40% to form a web. Hot air at about 140°C was blown onto the web for 10 seconds to perform a hot air treatment, bonding the fibers together and forming a web with a basis weight of 25 g / m. ２ A nonwoven fabric was produced.

[0075] Test Section 3 (Evaluation) For each of the treatment agents described in Examples 1 to 28, Reference Examples 1 and 2, and Comparative Examples 1 to 6, water repellency was evaluated as an evaluation item for the nonwoven fabric. In addition, antistatic properties and solution stability were evaluated as evaluation items for processability. The procedures for each test are shown below. The test results are shown in the "Water Repellency", "Antistatic Properties", and "Solution Stability" columns of Table 1, respectively.

[0076] (Water repellency) The water repellency was evaluated in accordance with the hydrostatic pressure method according to JIS L 1092 7.1.1 Method A (low water pressure method). The hydrotester used was a Swiss company, Textest (FX3000-III). The test was conducted in a temperature of 20±2°C and a humidity of 65±2% RH.

[0077] Five pieces of nonwoven fabric (approximately 150 mm x approximately 150 mm) prepared in Test Section 2 were taken and attached to a hydrotester so that water hit the front side of the nonwoven fabric. The water level was raised at a rate of 10 cm / min, and the displayed value (cmw.c.) was read when the third drop of water appeared on the back side of the nonwoven fabric. This test was performed five times, and the average value of the five measurements was calculated. A higher water pressure resistance indicates better water repellency.

[0078] Note that very small water droplets that do not grow larger after appearing on the back side of the nonwoven fabric, or water droplets that form by passing through the same position, were not taken into account. Water repellency evaluation criteria: Excellent (Good): Water pressure resistance of 3.0 cm w.c. or more; Fair (Acceptable): Water pressure resistance of 1.0 cm w.c. or more but less than 3.0 cm w.c.; Poor (Poor): Water pressure resistance of less than 1.0 cm w.c. (Antistatic Properties) 20 g of the synthetic fiber prepared in Test Section 2 was subjected to a miniature roller carding machine at 25°C and a relative humidity of 40% to form a web. The static electricity voltage generated on the web at the exit of the carding machine was measured and evaluated according to the following criteria.

[0079] Evaluation criteria for antistatic properties ⊚ (Good): When the voltage of the generated static electricity is less than 500 V ◯ (Fair): When the voltage of the generated static electricity is 500 V or more but less than 1 kV × (Poor): When the voltage of the generated static electricity is 1 kV or more (Solution stability) The 20% aqueous solution of the short fiber treatment agent prepared in Test Section 1 was further diluted to prepare a 1% aqueous solution. This 1% aqueous solution was placed in a sealed container and allowed to stand for 24 hours under controlled temperatures of 5°C, 20°C, and 50°C. After standing for 24 hours, the state of the solution was visually observed and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

[0080] Evaluation criteria for solution stability: ⊚ (Good): No precipitate or separation observed in the aqueous solution; ◯ (Fair): Very slight precipitate or separation observed in the aqueous solution; × (Poor): Precipitation or separation observed in the aqueous solution. As is clear from the results in Table 1, the present invention can improve the water repellency and antistatic properties of synthetic fibers. It can also improve the solution stability of the treatment agent for short fibers.

[0081] The present invention also includes the following aspects: (Appendix 1) A treatment agent for short fibers, characterized by containing the following component (A), the following component (B), and the following component (C).

[0082] Component (A): An ester compound of a monohydric alcohol having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and a monovalent fatty acid having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Component (B): At least one selected from an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group with 16 to 22 carbon atoms and an alkyl phosphate ester salt having an alkyl group with 4 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0083] Component (C): at least one selected from fatty acids having a hydrocarbon group with 12 to 22 carbon atoms and salts thereof. (Appendix 2) The short fiber treating agent according to Appendix 1, containing 50 to 80 parts by mass of component (A), 10 to 40 parts by mass of component (B), and 1 to 10 parts by mass of component (C), where the total content of components (A), (B), and (C) is 100 parts by mass.

[0084] (Appendix 3) The short fiber treating agent according to appendix 1 or 2, further comprising a polyoxyalkylene derivative as component (D).

[0085] (Appendix 4) The short fiber treatment agent according to Appendix 3, wherein the content ratio of the component (D) is 5 to 30 mass%. (Appendix 5) The short fiber treatment agent according to Appendix 3 or 4, wherein the content ratios of the component (A) is 60 to 80 parts by mass, the component (B) is 10 to 30 parts by mass, the component (C) is 1 to 10 parts by mass, and the component (D) is 5 to 20 parts by mass, where the total content ratios of the components (A), (B), (C), and (D) is 100 parts by mass.

[0086] (Appendix 6) A synthetic fiber having the short fiber treating agent according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5 attached thereto.

[0087] (Appendix 7) The synthetic fiber according to appendix 6, wherein the synthetic fiber is a polyolefin-based synthetic fiber. (Appendix 8) A method for producing a nonwoven fabric, comprising the following steps 1 to 3:

[0088] Step 1: A step of applying the short fiber treatment agent described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5 to synthetic fibers. Step 2: A step of passing the synthetic fibers to which the short fiber treatment agent has been applied in Step 1 through a carding machine to obtain a web.

[0089] Step 3: A step of obtaining a nonwoven fabric by subjecting the web obtained in Step 2 to a heat fusion treatment. (Appendix 9) The method for producing a nonwoven fabric according to Appendix 8, wherein the synthetic fibers are polyolefin-based synthetic fibers.

Claims

DEPCT661. A substance for the treatment of short fibers composed of mixture (A) described below, mixture (B) described below, and mixture (C) described below, where if the sum of the amounts of mixture (A), mixture (B), and mixture (C) in the substance for the treatment of short fibers is considered to be 100 parts by mass, mixture (A) is contained in the substance for the treatment of short fibers at a ratio of not less than 50 parts by mass, and the amount of mixture (A) in the substance for the treatment of short fibers exceeds 40% by mass. Mixture (A): an ester compound of a monohydric alcohol. Mixture (B): At least one of the selected types from the group consisting of alkylphosphoric acid esters with alkyl groups containing 16 to 22 carbon atoms and alkyl phosphoric acid esters with alkyl groups containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Mixture (C): At least one of the selected types from the group consisting of fatty acids with hydrocarbon groups containing 12 to 22 carbon atoms and salts of these (however,This case is not included where the condensate of hydroxyafatty acid polyhydric alcohol esters containing polyoxyalkylene and dicarboxylic acid (or derivatives of dicarboxylic acid) and / or esters containing at least one or more hydroxyl groups of the condensate blocked by fatty acid are made present in the short fiber treatment substance at a ratio of not less than 10% by mass and not more than 45% by mass)2. The short fiber treatment substance according to claim 1, where if the sum of The quantities of mixture (A), mixture (B), and mixture (C) in the short fiber treatment substance are assumed to be 100 parts by mass; mixture (A), mixture (B), and mixture (C) are contained in the short fiber treatment substance at ratios of 50 to 80 parts by mass, 10 to 40 parts by mass, and 1 to 10 parts by mass, respectively.

3. The short fiber treatment substance according to claim 1 or 2, which is further incorporated with polyoxyalkylene derivatives as mixture (D).

4. The short fiber treatment substance according to claim 3,Where the amount of ingredient (D) in the substance for treating short fibers is 5% to 30% by mass.

5. Substance for treating short fibers according to claim 3 or 4, where if the sum of the amounts of ingredients (A), ingredient (B), ingredient (C), and ingredient (D) in the substance for treating short fibers is considered to be 100 parts by mass, ingredients (A), ingredient (B), ingredient (C), and ingredient (D) are contained in the substance for treating short fibers at ratios of 60 to 80 parts by mass, 10 to 30 parts by mass, 1 to 10 parts by mass, and 5 to 20 parts by mass, respectively.

6. Synthetic fibers to which the substance for treating short fibers according to any of claims 1 to 5 is attached.

7. Synthetic fibers according to claim 6, where the synthetic fibers are polyolefin synthetic fibers.

8. Methods for the production of non-woven fabrics.Comprising steps 1 through 3, which are described below: Step 1: The process of adhering the short fiber treatment substance according to one of the claims 1 through 5 to the synthetic fibers. Step 2: The process of passing the synthetic fibers to which the short fiber treatment substance was adhered in Step 1 through a carding machine to obtain pulp. Step 3: The process of applying the thermal bonding treatment to the pulp obtained in Step 2 to obtain non-woven fabric.

9. Method for the production of non-woven fabric according to claim 8, where the synthetic fibers are polyolefin synthetic fibers.