Process-Stable Hydrophilic Softener suits textile finishing.
Press Release Summary:
Imparting silky-velvety hand, WETSOFT® NE 580 silicone softener emulsion is designed for hydrophilic finishing of textiles. Self-dispersing microemulsion concentrate
imparts absorbency and stability in alkaline solutions. Used on its own or together with other finishing agents, it is suited for use in finishing natural, mixed, and synthetic fibers. Solution remains stable when exposed to high pH values, elevated temperatures, high shear, and salts.
Original Press Release:
WACKER Develops Process-Stable Hydrophilic Softener for Textile Finishing
Munich, September 7, 2007 - WACKER, the Munich-based chemicals group, has developed a new silicone softener emulsion for the hydrophilic finishing of textiles. The product, a self-dispersing concentrate, imparts not only outstanding absorbency and a very good hand, but also high stability in alkaline solutions and easy processability. The product is sold under the name WETSOFT® NE 580 and can be applied universally.
WETSOFT® NE 580, a microemulsion concentrate based on hydrophilic modified silicones, offers a range of effects and properties that is unmatched by any other hydrophilic softener. A particular strength of the new product is its pronounced process stability.
Compared with conventional silicone-based softeners, WETSOFT® NE 580 is first and foremost extremely stable when exposed to high pH values, elevated temperatures, high shear and in the presence of salts. The microemulsion concentrate can be diluted in any proportion with cold tap water without turning cloudy. Adding emulsifiers is not required. WETSOFT® NE 580 may be used on its own or together with other finishing agents. Its high resin stability even allows its use in high-end finishing.
WETSOFT® NE 580 is suited to be used in the finishing of both natural fibers, such as cotton and linen, as well as mixed and synthetic fibers, such as polyesters. It is especially advantageous when finishing polyester fabrics, since the hydrophilic nature associated with WETSOFT® NE 580 is much more pronounced than with conventional hydrophilic silicone softeners.
The use of the new hydrophilic textile softener makes clothes more comfortable to wear due to two effects: first, it increases moisture transport in textiles. Polyester fabric is rendered hydrophilic, i.e. can be wetted with water, while cotton remains absorbent after finishing. Second, WETSOFT® NE 580 imparts a typical silicone silky-velvety hand, making textiles pleasantly soft.
The silicone softener emulsion WETSOFT® NE 580 imparts a typical silicone silky-velvety hand. At the same time, it increases moisture transport in textiles. Thus, cotton towels remain absorbent after finishing.
For further information, please contact:
Wacker Chemie AG
Media Relations & Information
Florian Degenhart
Tel. +49 89 6279-1601
Fax +49 89 6279-2877
florian.degenhart@wacker.com
The company in brief:
WACKER is a globally active chemical company with some 14,700 employees and annual sales of around 3.34 billion (2006). WACKER has 22 production sites and over 100 sales offices worldwide.
WACKER SILICONES
Silicone fluids, emulsions, rubber and resins; silanes; pyrogenic silicas; thermoplastic silicone elastomers
WACKER POLYMERS
Dispersible polymer powders and dispersions for applications in the construction industry; PVAc solid resins; VC copolymers; polyvinyl butyrals and acetates
WACKER FINE CHEMICALS
Fine chemicals, biologics and other biotech products, such as cyclodextrins and cysteine
WACKER POLYSILICON
Polysilicon for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industries
Siltronic
Hyperpure silicon wafers and monocrystals for semiconductor devices
