In the textile industry, silicone textile softeners play an important role. They are mainly used in the later stage of fabric dyeing and finishing, that is, the finishing link. This stage is crucial to improving the appearance, intrinsic quality and application performance of textiles, and silicone softeners have become key additives for achieving high added value and functionalization of textiles with their unique properties.


After the initial processes such as scouring, bleaching and printing and dyeing, the original softness of natural and synthetic fibers will be reduced. In order to restore and enhance the softness of fabrics, silicone softeners come in handy. It can effectively reduce the friction coefficient between fibers, thereby giving the fabric a soft and smooth feel. Its main component, modified silicone oil, will form an orderly arrangement on the fiber surface through a cross-linking reaction with the fiber, greatly improving the softness and flexibility of the fabric.


Different types of silicone textile softeners have their own characteristics in application. For example, dimethyl silicone oil emulsion, as a first-generation product, can provide certain softness for textiles, but it is not firmly bonded to the fabric and is not washable. The second generation of amino-alkyl modified silicone oil, also known as amino silicone oil, retains the original hydrophobicity and demoulding properties of dimethyl silicone oil. The presence of amino-alkyl groups gives it reactivity, adsorption, lubricity and softness. It is widely used in fabric softening finishing agents, polishing agents, coating additives and resin modifiers, and has become the largest carbon functional silicone oil variety. It is suitable for a variety of fabrics such as cotton, polyester, silk, and wool. It can significantly improve the softness and wrinkle resistance of fabrics and provide excellent anti-wrinkle recovery performance. The third generation of polyether modified amino silicone oil is made through a specific reaction. The fabric treated with it is not only soft and smooth, but also has excellent hygroscopicity. The fourth generation of block modified silicone oil has greatly improved in softness, water washability, elasticity and hydrophilicity. It has become the mainstream direction of the development of silicone softeners. It can form a protective film on the surface of the fabric, reduce the friction coefficient between fibers, provide various excellent properties for the fabric, greatly enhance the washability of silicone oil, and is non-toxic and pollution-free.


When using silicone textile softeners, it is necessary to select the appropriate silicone oil type according to the type of fabric, such as natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk, or synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, as well as the final use of the fabric. Taking amino silicone oil as an example, the fabric must be pretreated before use to ensure that it is clean and free of residual slurry, grease or other additives; then the organic silicone oil is emulsified to improve the penetration and distribution of silicone oil on the fabric; the emulsified amino silicone oil softener can be used directly, and the concentration and formula of the silicone oil emulsion can be adjusted according to the required softness and other characteristics; then the softening treatment can be carried out, which can be done by static or padding treatment and then stretched and dried, and the fabric can be heat-treated and heat-set at a certain temperature; finally, the treated fabric is cooled to room temperature and its softness, washability, and color fastness are tested. Throughout the process, factors such as temperature, time, and silicone oil emulsion concentration will affect the treatment effect and need to be adjusted according to actual conditions.


Silicone textile softeners are effective in improving fabric quality. Through their proper application in the fabric finishing stage, they can give all kinds of fabrics a better feel and performance, meeting consumers' demand for comfortable, high-quality textiles.