Fluorosilicone Textile Dispersion for Soft Oil-Repellent Fabrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorocarbon polymers used for imparting oil repellency to textiles often result in a harsh feel and require high amounts of emulsifiers, limiting their compatibility and effectiveness, especially when the fluoroalkyl group has fewer than 8 carbon atoms, which compromises water and oil repellency.
Innovation Solution
A dispersion of a fluorine-containing polymer formed by polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a functional organopolysiloxane and a nonionic surfactant, providing a fluorosilicone product that imparts excellent water and oil repellency while maintaining a soft feel on textiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorocarbon polymers are used to impart oil repellency to textiles, then oleophobicity is improved, but the fabric surface becomes harsh and emulsifier requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining fluorocarbon polymer components with silicone polymer components in a single coating composition. This creates a composite material system where the fluorocarbon provides oleophobicity while the silicone provides soft hand feel, resolving the contradiction between oil repellency and fabric comfort. The composite nature allows both functionalities to coexist without compromising either property.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges two separate functional systems (fluorocarbon polymer for oil repellency and silicone polymer for softness) into a single integrated coating composition. By combining these materials and applying them simultaneously in one coating step, the patent achieves both oleophobicity and improved hand feel without requiring separate treatment processes, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Quantity of substance
If fluorocarbon polymers with fewer than 8 carbon atoms in fluoroalkyl group are used, then emulsifier requirements are reduced, but water and oil repellency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating system by introducing silicone polymer components with specific molecular structures and surface properties. This parameter change allows the use of shorter fluoroalkyl groups (fewer than 8 carbon atoms) while maintaining adequate water and oil repellency through the synergistic effect of the silicone component, thus reducing emulsifier requirements without sacrificing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite coating system that combines fluorocarbon polymers with shorter fluoroalkyl chains and silicone polymers, the patent achieves a balance where the reduced hydrophobicity from shorter chains is compensated by the silicone component's contribution to overall water and oil repellency, allowing lower emulsifier usage while maintaining protective performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsifiers are used with fluorocarbon polymers, then dispersion is achieved, but compatibility with other fluorine-free monomers is limited and effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The silicone polymer component acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the fluorocarbon polymer and fluorine-free monomers. This intermediary material improves overall composition compatibility and effectiveness, allowing the coating system to function as an integrated whole rather than separate components with limited interaction. The silicone component facilitates better integration and performance of the complete coating formulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fluorosilicone product achieves high washing durability and soil resistance with improved water and oil repellency, maintaining a soft hand feel, even with fluoroalkyl groups having fewer than 8 carbon atoms, and reduces the need for harsh emulsifiers.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersion of a fluorine-containing polymer formed by polymerizing a fluorine-containing monomer in the presence of a functional organopolysiloxane
Implementation Method 2
imparting excellent water repellency, oil repellency, soil resistance
Implementation Method 3
impart oil repellent properties (oleophobicity) to the textile
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorosilicone reaction product of a mercapto or vinyl functional organopolysiloxane and a fluorine-containing monomer, and methods of preparing the fluorosilicone are disclosed. The fluorosilicone products are suitable for application to substrates such as textiles, particularly fabrics, to impart oil repellent properties to the textile. The fluorosilicone reaction product is prepared from (A) a fluorine-containing monomer of the formula CH2═C(X)COOYRf, and (B) a mercapto or vinyl functional organopolysiloxane.