Synthetic fibers, especially those that are hydrophobic, generate static electricity due to friction during processing or use, which can lead to potential problems such as dust adsorption and static accumulation. Antistatic finishes prevent the accumulation of static electricity on fibers by increasing the hydrophilic hygroscopicity or ion conduction of the fiber surface. Alfa Chemistry offers a wide range of antistatic finishing agents to meet your antistatic finishing needs.
Antistatic Finishing Methods & Typical Products
Non-Durable Antistatic Finishing
These antistatic finishing agents are not washable and easy to remove, which are suitable for spinning progress of fibers or yarns. Typical non-durable antistatic finishing agents are primarily hygroscopic materials, including:
- Phosphoric ester antistatic agent: alkyl alcohol phosphate ester, etc.
Phosphoric ester antistatic finishing agents.
- Quaternary ammonium compound antistatic agent: ditallowdimethylammonium chloride, dihydrogenated tallowdimethylammonium chloride, cationic quaternary ammonium salt surfactant, polyether quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary ammonium salts with fatty alkyl chains, etc.
Quaternary ammonium antistatic finishing agents.
- Nonionic compound antistatic agents: ethoxylated fatty esters, alcohols and alkylamines, polyethylene oxide compounds, etc.
Durable Antistatic Finishing
The basic principle of this class of antistatic finishes is the formation of a cross-linked polymer network containing hydrophilic groups. Common durable antistatic finishing agents include silicone antistatic agents, polyetherester (nonionic) antistatic agents, etc.
Several typical finishing methods include:
- A hydrophilic film is formed on the fiber surface with polymers containing hydrophilic groups, such as polyamines and polyethylene glycol, block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene terephthalate.
- The fibers are treated successively with high hygroscopic polymer anions and cationic electrolytes, and then heated and baked to make them react with each other and fix them on the surface of the fibers.
- Using high-energy radiation, such as radiation, electron beam radiation or chemical initiators, the fibers are grafted and modified with vinyl monomers containing hydrophilic groups to improve hygroscopicity and achieve durable antistatic effects.
Triboelectricity of Fibers
Triboelectricity is the term used for electrical charges generated by friction. The triboelectric ordering of several fibers is listed below. In this series, each fiber type is positively charged when it rubs against the fibers below the series. For example, if polyester fibers and wool fibers come into contact and then separate, the polyester fibers become negatively charged and the wool fibers become positively charged.
Triboelectric series of fibers [1]
Antistatic Performance Test
If you have analysis and testing requirements for antistatic properties, our fiber analysis laboratory also provides you with a series of antistatic testing services. Our services include:
- Electrostatic half-life test
- Tribo voltage test
- Surface specific resistance test
- Surface resistivity test
- Charge dissipation test
Reference
- W.D. Schindler, et al. Chemical Finishing of Textiles, 2004, 121-128.
Our products and services are for research use only.
