Properties, Advantages, And Disadvantages Of Cationic Softener

Cationic Softener

Cationic softeners are one of the important softening agents used for the finishing process. It is widely used for softening cellulosic materials.

Properties of Cationic Softener:

The properties of cationic softeners are given below. They are-

1. Cationic softeners are widely used on cellulose materials.
2. It has enough affinity and substantively towards cellulosic fibers.
3. Its P^H is lies between 5 – 6.
4. Cationic agents become unstable to alkaline media.
5. It is soluble in water.
6. Cationic salts present in hard water react with softener forming precipitation.
7. Chemically cationic softener is sap amines, amido amines, imidazoline and quaternary ammonium compounds.

Preparation of Softener Solution:

Softener solution is made in the following way.

1. At first, take required softener.
2. Then, take required amount of water at 70⁰C.
3. After that, softener and water is mixed by stirring.
4. Finally, acetic acid is added in the solution.

Methods of Application:

Softener is applied to the fabric in the following two ways.

1. Pad-dry-calender: In this method, 20 -25 g/l softener are taken where P^H level is 4 – 5. Then, fabric is impregnate in to water and the pickup % is 70 – 80. Then fabric is dried at 120⁰ – 140⁰C for 2 – 3 minutes.
2. Exhaust Methods (Jigger or winch): In this method, following parameters are maintained. It is a sample recipe.

•  Americos AC 1000 : 1 – 2% (owf)
• Material: Liquo : 1: 10
• Temperature : 45⁰ – 50⁰ C
• P^H: 4 – 5
• Time: 20 – 30 minutes

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cationic Softener:

The advantages and disadvantages of cationic softener are given below.

Advantages of Cationic Softener:

• Firstly. cationic softener increases lubricity of yarn.
• Secondly, it minimizes the loss in physical property on resin finished goods.
• Thirdly, permanent finish is done by cationic softener.
• Lastly, it can be used as antistatic agent for loose fiber.

Disadvantages of Cationic Softener:

• Cationic softener gets precipitated when with anionic compounds.
• Lastly, it is not compatible with other additives.

So, when you will choose a cationic softener, you should remind the properties of cationic softener as well as the advantages and disadvantages of cationic softener.