Fiber treatment agent

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fiber treatment agent and a fiber treatment method that make it possible to give fibers excellent water absorption properties, texture, antistatic properties, and antifouling properties and to obtain fibers that do not readily experience a reduction in water absorption properties, texture, antistatic properties, and antifouling properties, even after repeated washing. A fiber treatment agent according to the present invention contains a cationic compound as a component (A) and a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant as a component (B), the mass ratio ((A) / (B)) of component (A) to component (B) being greater than 1 but less than 50.

Description

Fiber treatment agents

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

[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, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-11661 describes a method for producing an antistatic textile product, which is characterized by comprising a step of treating a textile material containing polycarboxylic acid-containing regenerated cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers 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 material without complicated treatments.

[0003] The present invention relates to a fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound, (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant, wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50. The present invention also relates to a fiber treatment method having a step of contacting a fiber with a fiber treatment agent, wherein the fiber treatment agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound, (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant, and the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50. Detailed Description of 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.

[0006] The present inventors have found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by 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 treating agent containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound; (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant; and the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50. [2] A fiber treating method having a step of contacting a fiber with a fiber treating agent, wherein the fiber treating agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound; (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant; and the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50.

[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 properties, and stain resistance to fibers, and that can obtain fibers whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are not likely to deteriorate even after repeated washing.

[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] [Fiber Treatment Agent] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound, and (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. 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 produce fibers whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are resistant to deterioration even after repeated washing. While the detailed reasons for this are unclear, it is believed that the cationic compound (component (A)) interacts with the nonionic surfactant and the anionic surfactant (component (B)) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, thereby enhancing the hydrophobicity of component (A). It is believed that the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50, resulting in a strong interaction between components (A) and (B), thereby imparting excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance to fibers. Furthermore, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can enhance the adsorption force of component (A) to fibers by having a mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50. As a result, even if a fiber treated with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is repeatedly washed, it is believed that the state in which component (A) is adsorbed onto the fiber is maintained, and the water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance are less likely to decrease. Note that the above-mentioned reasons for the effects of the present invention are speculations and are not limited to these.

[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 one or more 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 high molecular weight compound, the cationic high molecular weight compound may be a homopolymer or a copolymer, and refers to a cationic compound having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,200 or more. The upper limit of the weight-average molecular weight of the cationic high molecular weight compound is, for example, 10,000,000 or less, preferably 5,000,000 or less, more preferably 2,000,000 or less. The weight-average molecular weight of the cationic polymer compound can be measured by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) in terms of polyethylene glycol. The measurement conditions are as follows: - GPC analysis conditions - Column: TSKgel α-M × 2 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) Eluent: 50 mmol / L LiBr, 1% CH ３ COOH, ethanol / water = 3 / 7 Temperature: 40°C Flow rate: 0.6 mL / 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. Of these, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, ester cations, and tetraalkylammonium chloride are preferred. Specific examples of cationic polymer compounds include polymers containing structural units derived from polyethyleneimine and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (e.g., polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, diallyldimethylammonium chloride-acrylamide copolymer, polydimethylmethylenepiperidinium chloride, etc.), quaternary nitrogen-modified polysaccharides (e.g., cationically modified cellulose, cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, cationically modified guar gum, cationically modified locust bean gum, cationically modified starch, etc.), chitosan, hydroxypropyl chitosan, and cationic polymers containing structural units derived from vinylpyrrolidone (e.g., vinylpyrrolidone-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylic acid copolymer salt, vinylpyrrolidone-methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride copolymer, vinylpyrrolidone-methylvinylimidazolium chloride copolymer, etc.). Among these, polyethyleneimine, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (e.g., O-[2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl]hydroxyethyl cellulose 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 surfactant> Specific examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl ether, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester alkylene oxide adduct, alkylamine alkylene oxide adduct, fatty acid amide alkylene oxide adduct, alkyl glycoside, sucrose fatty acid ester, alkanolamide, glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester polyoxyalkylene glycol ether, polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyalkylene sorbit fatty acid ester, sorbit fatty acid ester, polyoxyalkylene glycerin fatty acid ester, tetrapolyoxyalkylene ethylenediamine condensate, polyoxyalkylene fatty acid amide, polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyoxyalkylene castor oil, and polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated castor oil.Among these, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is preferred.

[0016] <Anionic Surfactants> Specific examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, alkylphosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, acylated alanine salts, acylated N-methyl-β-alanine salts, acylated glutamates, acylated isethionates, acylated sarcosinates, acylated methyl taurines, acylated taurines, α-sulfofatty acid ester salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether carboxylate salts, polycarboxylates, ethercarboxylates, long-chain (8 to 24 carbon atoms) carboxylates, alkyldiphenylethersulfonates, and polyoxyalkylene fatty acid monoethanolamide sulfates. Among these, alkylbenzenesulfonates are preferred.

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

[0018] [Other Components] The fiber treatment agent of the present invention may contain components (other components) other than the components (A) to (C) described above, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. 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 greater than 1 and less than 50, from the viewpoint of improving the water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance of the fiber. 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 are resistant to deterioration even after repeated washing, the value of 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, it 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 treatment agent of the present invention contains water, the content (concentration) of component (A) in the fiber treatment agent can be, for example, 0.01% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less. When the fiber treatment agent of the present invention contains water, from the viewpoints of production, storage, and transportation, it is preferable that the fiber treatment agent be produced as a concentrate with a low water content, and that the concentrate be diluted at the time of use and used as a 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. 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, and 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 concentrated solution 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 the same 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 diluent with the fibers, the content (concentration) of component (B) in the diluent 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 diluent 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, 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, 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 same 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 a fiber and obtaining a fiber whose water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and stain resistance are resistant to deterioration 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 more than 1, more preferably 1.5 or more, even more preferably 2.0 or more, even more preferably 2.5 or more, and still 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 still more preferably 12 or less. From the same viewpoint, the mass ratio of the cationic compound of component (A) to the anionic surfactant (cationic compound of component (A) / anionic surfactant) is preferably more than 1 and 450 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 250 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 100 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 50 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 40 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 30 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 20 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 15 or less, and more preferably more than 1 and 12 or less.

[0026] (Total Content of Component (A) and Component (B) in Solid Content) In the solid content (non-volatile components) contained in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention, the total content of component (A) and component (B) 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 property, and stain resistance to fibers and obtaining fibers that are resistant to deterioration in water absorbency, texture, antistatic property, and stain resistance even after repeated washing.

[0027] (Content of Component (C)) The content of component (C) in the fiber treatment agent of the present invention can be appropriately selected so that the contents of components (A) and (B) in the fiber treatment 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 still more preferably 99% by mass or more, and is 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, and 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, more preferably 4 or more and 10 or less, and more preferably 4.5 or more and 10 or less. The pH of the fiber treatment agent can be adjusted, for example, by the types and contents of component (A) and component (B).

[0030] [Method for Treating Fibers] The method for treating fibers of the present invention includes a step of contacting a fiber with a fiber treating agent, wherein the fiber treating agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound, and (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. 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 property, 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 treatment agent with the fiber can be carried out by a conventional method. For example, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention is added with water, and the fiber is immersed in the fiber treatment solution to bring the fiber into contact with the fiber treatment solution. Alternatively, the fiber treatment agent of the present invention may be added with water and sprayed onto the fiber. The fiber may be a natural fiber such as cotton, wool, or silk, or a synthetic fiber such as acrylic, polyester, or polyamide. The form of the fiber is not limited, and examples include woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, and knitted fabric. The fiber may also be a product such as clothing or bedding.

[0034] [Use of Fiber Treating Agent] The use of the fiber treating agent 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 buildup on fibers] The method for preventing static electricity buildup on fibers of the present invention includes a step of 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.

[0036] The present invention discloses the following embodiments.

[0037] [1] A fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound; and (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B), [(A) / (B)], is greater than 1 and less than 50, preferably greater than 1 and 40 or less, more preferably greater than 1 and 30 or less, preferably 1.1 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 10 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 5 or less, and more preferably 1.3 or more and 5 or less.

[0038] [2] The fiber treatment agent according to the above [1], wherein the mass ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant (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.

[0039] [3] The fiber treatment agent according to the above [1] or [2], wherein the mass ratio of the cationic compound (A) to the anionic surfactant (cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is preferably more than 1 and 450 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 250 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 100 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 50 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 40 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 30 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 20 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 15 or less, and more preferably more than 1 and 12 or less.

[0040] [4] The fiber treatment agent according to any one of the above [1] to [3], wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is preferably greater than 1 and equal to or less than 9.

[0041] [5] The fiber treatment agent according to any one of the above [1] to [4], wherein component (A) is preferably at least one selected from cationic low-molecular-weight compounds and cationic high-molecular-weight compounds.

[0042] [6] The fiber treatment agent according to any one of the above [1] to [5], which contains component (C) water, and the content of component (A) in the fiber treatment agent 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, and even more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less.

[0043] [7] The fiber treatment agent according to the above [6], which has a pH at 20°C of 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, more preferably 4.5 or more and 10 or less.

[0044] [8] The fiber treatment agent according to any one of the above [1] to [7], wherein component (A) is preferably at least one selected from 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.

[0045] [9] The nonionic surfactant is preferably 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 any one of [1] to [8] above, wherein the anionic surfactant is at least one selected from alkyl sulfate salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, 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, ether carboxylate salts, long-chain carboxylate salts, alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonate salts, and polyoxyalkylene fatty acid monoethanolamide sulfate salts.

[0046]

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

[0047]

[11] The fiber treatment agent according to any one of the above [1] to

[10] , wherein component (A) is preferably cation-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0048]

[12] A fiber treatment method having a step of contacting a fiber with a fiber treatment agent, wherein the fiber treatment agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound; and (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. The mass ratio of component (A) to component (B), [(A) / (B)], is greater than 1 and less than 50, preferably greater than 1 and 40 or less, more preferably greater than 1 and 30 or less, preferably 1.1 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 10 or less, more preferably 1.2 or more and 5 or less, and more preferably 1.3 or more and 5 or less.

[0049]

[13] The fiber treatment method according to the above

[12] , wherein the mass ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant (nonionic surfactant / anionic surfactant) is preferably 40 / 60 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.

[0050]

[14] The fiber treatment method according to the above

[12] or

[13] , wherein the mass ratio of the cationic compound (A) to the anionic surfactant (cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is preferably more than 1 and 450 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 250 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 100 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 50 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 40 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 30 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 20 or less, more preferably more than 1 and 15 or less, and more preferably more than 1 and 12 or less.

[0051]

[15] The fiber treatment method according to any one of the above

[12] to

[14] , wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is preferably more than 1 and not more than 9.

[0052]

[16] The fiber treatment method according to any one of the above

[12] to

[15] , wherein the fiber treatment agent contains component (C) water and has a pH at 20°C of 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, more preferably 4.5 or more and 10 or less.

[0053]

[17] Use of the fiber treatment agent according to any one of the above [1] to

[11] as an antistatic agent.

[0054]

[18] A method for preventing static electricity buildup on fibers, comprising treating fibers with the fiber treating agent according to any one of [1] to

[11] above.

[0055] 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.

[0056] [Production of fiber treatment agent] 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 ion-exchanged water in an amount such that the content of component (A) was 0.05% by mass.

[0057] 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 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 Denpa Kogyo Co., Ltd., HM-30G) at a measurement temperature of 20°C by immersing the pH meter electrode in the fiber treatment agent and reading the value one minute later. The addition amount shown in Table 1 is the amount (parts by mass) of the active ingredient (solid content) of each component.

[0058]

[0059] (Details of ingredients) (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, molecular weight of N-methyl-N,N-bis(long-chain alkanoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate approximately 530 (A)-2: Kotamin 60W (cationic low molecular weight compound) manufactured by Kao Corporation, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, molecular weight 320 (A)-3: Unisense FPA100L manufactured by Senka Corporation, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, weight average molecular weight 20,000 or less (catalog value) (A)-4: Polyethyleneimine (cationic polymer compound) manufactured by 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]hydroxyethyl cellulose chloride, cationic group substitution degree 1.5, weight average molecular weight 800,000 (A)-6: Chitosan (cationic polymer compound) Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, weight average molecular weight 15,000 (B)-1: Softanol 70 manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., polyoxyethylene alkyl ether obtained by adding ethylene oxide to a secondary alcohol having 12 to 14 carbon atoms (B)-2: Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.

[0060] [Preparation and Evaluation of Evaluation Samples] [Preparation of Evaluation Samples] A fabric (100% acrylic fiber) was treated in a bath with the fiber treatment agent at 20°C in 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 in accordance with JIS L1930:2014 (simulating Type B 8B, washed and rinsed twice with a neutral detergent at room temperature, then dehydrated and dried) to obtain a sample (L-1) after one wash. The obtained sample (L-1) was washed in the same manner four more times to obtain a 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.

[0061] [Evaluation 1: Water Absorbency (Sedimentation Method)] A 2 cm x 2 cm test piece cut from each sample (L-5) was gently floated in water, and the time until it began to sink was measured and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. -Evaluation criteria- A: 10 seconds or less B: More than 10 seconds but not more than 30 seconds C: More than 30 seconds but not more than 60 seconds D: More than 60 seconds

[0062] [Evaluation 2: Feeling] Samples (L-0) and (L-5) were evaluated by a specialist panel for changes in feel (softness) compared to before and after treatment, according to the following evaluation criteria. -Evaluation criteria- A: Softer than or equal to untreated fabric. B: Slightly less soft than untreated fabric, but still sufficiently soft. C: Slightly less soft than untreated fabric, slightly less flexible. D: Less soft than untreated fabric, rough and hard.

[0063] [Evaluation 3: Antistatic properties] Using a Kyoto University Chemical Research Rotary Static Mixer (manufactured by Koa Shokai Co., Ltd.), sample (L-0) and sample (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 evaluation criteria. The shorter the half-life, the better the antistatic properties. -Evaluation criteria- A: Half-life 10 seconds or less B: Half-life more than 10 seconds and less than 30 seconds C: Half-life more than 30 seconds and less than 60 seconds D: Half-life more than 60 seconds

[0064] [Evaluation 4: Antifouling] A dirt chamber test was carried out on 5 cm x 8 cm 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 more than 20% and 50% or less D: Soot adhesion area is more than 50%

[0065]

[0066] Table 2 shows that the fabrics (fibers) treated with the fiber treatment agent of the present invention were excellent in water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance, and maintained their excellent water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance even after five washings (Examples 1 to 6). In contrast, the fiber treatment agent not containing component (A) was unable to impart texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance to the fabrics (fibers), and after five washings, all of the water absorbency, texture, antistatic properties, and soil resistance were poor (Comparative Examples 1 to 5).

Claims

1. A fiber treatment agent containing the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound; (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant; and wherein the mass ratio of component (A) to component (B) [(A) / (B)] is greater than 1 and less than 50.

2. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1, wherein the 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. The fiber treatment agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mass ratio of the cationic compound (A) to the anionic surfactant (cationic compound / anionic surfactant) is greater than 1 and less than 40.

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

5. The fiber treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 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. A fiber treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which contains component (C) water, and the content of component (A) in the fiber treatment 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 of 2 or more and 10.5 or less at 20°C.

8. The fiber treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 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 any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the anionic surfactant is at least one selected from alkyl sulfate salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, alkyl phosphate salts, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphate salts, dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts, 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, ether carboxylate salts, long-chain carboxylate salts, alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonate salts, and polyoxyalkylene fatty acid monoethanolamide sulfate salts.

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. The fiber treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein component (A) is cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

12. A fiber treatment method comprising a step of contacting a fiber with a fiber treatment agent, wherein the fiber treatment agent contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) a cationic compound; (B) a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant; and 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. A 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. A fiber treatment method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, 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 any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the fiber treatment agent contains component (C) water and has a pH of 2 or more and 10.5 or less at 20°C.

17. Use of the fiber treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 11 as an antistatic agent.

18. A method for preventing static electricity from building up in textiles, comprising the step of treating textiles with the textile treating agent according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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