Functional thermo-regulating textile additives and uses thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for imparting thermo-regulating properties to textiles face challenges such as high loading requirements of functional additives, which can increase fiber stiffness and alter touch and feel properties, and often involve incompatible chemistries leading to unstable formulations.
Innovation Solution
A textile treatment formulation using a PPG/PEG block-copolymer with specific molecular weight and end-capping, applied without encapsulation, to provide a cool-touch effect by adjusting the melting point and ensuring efficient attachment to fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large amounts of functional additives are encapsulated and loaded onto fibers to achieve desired thermo-regulating effect, then the thermo-regulating function is improved, but the fiber stiffness increases and touch and feel properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the coating formulation by using a specific polyethylene glycol derivative with controlled molecular weight (200-800 g/mol) and hydroxyl number (10-50 mg KOH/g), along with precise配比 of crosslinking agents and catalysts. This optimization allows achieving the desired thermo-regulating effect at lower coating loads, thereby preserving fiber softness and touch properties while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite coating system combining polyethylene glycol derivative, crosslinking agents (melamine-formaldehyde or glyoxal), and catalysts in specific ratios. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects where the crosslinking network provides structural integrity and thermo-regulating function while the optimized composition minimizes fiber stiffness and maintains desirable tactile properties.
2Reliability
If high loading of encapsulated particles is applied to fibers to achieve thermo-regulating effect, then the functional performance is improved, but the fiber properties are modified negatively including increased stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of polyethylene glycol to be in the range of 200-800 g/mol and hydroxyl number to be 10-50 mg KOH/g. These parameter changes enable the coating to form an effective crosslinked network at lower solid content (1-10%), reducing particle loading requirements and preserving fiber flexibility while maintaining thermo-regulating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies coating components with specific local properties: polyethylene glycol with controlled molecular weight for flexibility, crosslinking agents for structural integrity, and catalysts for controlled reaction. This local quality optimization ensures that the coating provides necessary functional properties without excessive stiffness, maintaining fiber flexibility at the application point.
3Reliability
If incompatible chemistries are combined in encapsulation formulation to achieve functional additive delivery, then the functional effect is achieved, but the formulation stability deteriorates due to sedimentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polyethylene glycol derivative as an intermediary substance that is compatible with both the crosslinking agents (melamine-formaldehyde or glyoxal) and the functional additives. This intermediary polymer provides a stable matrix that prevents sedimentation while enabling effective delivery of thermo-regulating additives, resolving the incompatibility between different chemical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a stable composite formulation by combining polyethylene glycol derivative with crosslinking agents and functional additives in optimized ratios. The polyethylene glycol acts as a stabilizing matrix that prevents sedimentation of incompatible chemistries, while the crosslinking network provides structural stability. This composite approach maintains formulation stability during storage and application while ensuring effective functional additive delivery.
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 formulation achieves a cool-touch effect with improved fiber compatibility, reducing fiber stiffness and maintaining desired properties, while providing effective thermo-regulation through endothermic peaks confirmed by DSC data and FLIR methods.
Implementation Method 1
The PPG/PEG block-copolymer has a melting point in the range of 15-37°C and provides a cool-touch effect through endothermic peaks confirmed by DSC data
Implementation Method 2
curing the polyethylene glycol onto the fabric to give a final pick-up of 0.5 to 8% polyethylene glycol
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a formulation containing a PPG/PEG block-copolymer (I) on average having PEG-blocks in the range of 37-45 terminated on both sides with on average in the range of 6-11 PPG blocks. The PPG/PEG block-copolymer can be end capped with hydrocarbon systems like for example n-butyl. The PPG/PEG block-copolymer (I) is chosen to have a DSC-melting point according to DIN ISO 11357 in the range of 15-37° C. to provide for a cool touch effect and can be applied without encapsulation. Furthermore uses of such a formulation and textiles treated with such a formulation are proposed.