3. Queenstat NW-E

This is a wash-fast, water-absorbent, quick-dry, anti-stain SR agent/softener for polyester.

The addition of durable hydrophilicity to polyester and its blends will bring about durable anti-static properties, facilitate removal of oil stains and therefore result in superior oil-release properties. This product, which also works as a softener other than giving SR properties, is an agent capable of upgrading polyester with multiple functions.

Having different uses and application areas from water/oil-repellent SR finishing, it allows a considerably wider scope of application as mentioned earlier.

This is a hydrophilic polymer which displays strong adhesive properties to polyester, and the performance of treated fabric will not deteriorate even after 10 launderings. In brief, it imparts to PET, E/C and E/R fibers the following properties:

1) Durable water absorbency, quick-dry, SR, and easy oil-stain removing OR properties during laundering
2) Hydrophilic and anti-static properties
3) Soft hand, smoothness and flexibility
4) High fastness to washing, with minimal deterioration due to home laundering

It forms a highly-durable film on the fiber surface by undergoing padding, drying and curing treatments (150-180°C x 30sec.).

Oil stains could be heavy oil, motor oil, lubricant, grease, spice oils, butter, mayonnaise, ketchup, vegetable oils, lipstick etc, all very hard to remove, however, stains on fabric treated with Queenstat NW-E wash out easily by washing and the effect (OR properties) will not deteriorate even after repeated washes.

Table 2 shows the characteristics, effects and physical properties (appearance, pH and ionicity) of Queenstat NW-E with directions for use.

Table2 Characteristics, performances, physical properties and directions for use

It is an extremely convenient finishing agent which can easily be combined with other chemicals without causing yellowing, color alteration, or any factors that will degrade dyeing fastness.

Figure 3 shows the water absorbency (150mm in 10 min.) and the oil-removing properties of NW-E-treated polyester tropical cloth, padded with 3% NW-E solution and then dried. The initial performance is maintained after 1, 5 and even 10 washes.

Note:

Home laundry detergent: 1.5g/L 45°C x 5min A cycle of cold rinsing -dehydration-drying counted as 1 wash

- Water absorbency: 150mm (10min) at the beginning and 130mm (10min) after 10 washes

- Durable OR properties indicated in the performance index of 90 after 10 washes, as opposed to the initial 100

NW-E's performance is rated highly as both the water absorbency and oil release properties remain poor in the untreated fabric.

Figure 3 Performance of Queenstat NW-E treated cloth [wash-fast water absorbency, oil-removal]

In Picture 1, water absorbency is compared before and after 10 washes in vertical wicking distances (cm/10 min.) of dye liquor absorption in fabric (polyester) padded with NW-E 3% solution, dried and cured (180°C x 30 sec).

From this, it is clear that the untreated cloth has practically no water absorbency, while the treated fabric maintains significantly higher water absorbency even after 10 washes.

Picture 1 Comparison of water absorbency of Queenstat-treated cloth and untreated before and after washing