Technical Paper

Optimization of the running properties and preparation

of goods for the oil and water repellent finish
(treatment)

Introduction
To obtain optimum effectiveness of a fluorochemical treatment, the preparation of the
goods is an important point to consider. Residues brought in by preceding process steps
will cause a reduction of the oil- and water repellency effect level. Therefore they have to
be removed with great care before the application of the finish. Low effect levels can be
improved by additional pre-wash and/or sequestration prior to FC treatment or through
specific product selections.

Product recommendations to improve the running properties of

fluorochemicals and to optimize the preparation of goods
Product selection for improved running properties:

INVADINE® STA

INVADINE® PBN

OLEOPHOBOL® 7752

Product selection for pre-wash/sequestration:

ERIONAL® RF: leveling-, reserving- and sequestering agent

ULTRAVON® EL: wetting-, scouring- and dispersing agent

INVATEX® SA: cracking agent for impurities and contaminations

INVATEX® CRA: cracking agent for impurities and contaminations

Negative influences on the effect level of a fluorchemical finish:

Sizing residues:

Sizing agents influence the wetting properties of the fabric. This can interfere with an optimum formation
of the fluorochemical film and with the adhesion of the film on the fabric.
Sizes for synthetics, like acrylates, vinylacetates, vinylalcohols or ethyleneglycols are mostly aqueous
polymers. For cellulosic fibers and/or their blends especially starches are used. Starches are natural
polymers based on units of glucose. Starches are not water-soluble so a regular scouring process is not
sufficient enough to eliminate them. They need to be removed in enzymatic or oxidative cracking
processes.
Depending on the type of the size (natural or synthetic sizes), the technical possibilities of the textile
plants and quality demands of the customers, there are different processes and procedures that can be
used. Here we would like to refer to our pretreatment colleagues for assistance.

Spinning lubricants:

During pad application, spinning oils may be introduced into the finishing liquor and result in
precipitation. Roller build-up, liquor stability problems and spots on the fabric are the consequences.
When difficult to finish fabrics are used, a specific product selection like OLEOPHOBOL® 7752 (product
with excellent running properties), INVADINE® STA (system stabilizer) or INVADINE® PBN (wetting
agent) can help to achieve an improved process security.
In case of unacceptable oil and water repellent effect levels, an additional pre-wash or sequestration
process is necessary.

Residues of textile auxiliaries

General information:

Most of the textile auxiliaries have a surfactant component of characteristics. Their molecule dissociation
consists of a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic remnant, mostly hydrocarbons or perfluorohydrogens.
Because the hydrophilic group has a good solubility it will push the hydrophobic remnant into the
aqueous phase as soon as the surfactant has contact with the water. The cohesion strength between the
water molecules needs to be loosened to open up space for the hydrophobic remnant. The interaction of
the water molecules and the hydrophobic remnant must not be favored by the cohesion strength
because of the small adhesion strength between the water molecules and the dipole free hydrocarbons.
Surfactants are surface-active agents, which will be adsorbed or ‘enriched’ at the interface.
Residues of anionic products:

These are soaps, dispersing agents and detergents or post treatment products, like e.g. ALBATEX® RN
for polyamide. Anionic active products like soaps will set free, fatty acids in acidic solutions (FC-liquors).
These will precipitate in flakes or as oily deposits on the surface. By using FC-products with high running
stability, e.g. OLEOPHOBOL® 7752, or by using system stabilizers like INVADINE® STA, the possibility
of roller build-up and decrease in oil and water repellency will be prevented. In case these measures are
not sufficient, we recommend an acidic pre-wash as described in suffix 2.

Residues of non-ionic products:

Here we talk about wetting agents, dispersing agents and detergents. Even in small concentration they
influence the rewetting of the fabric through increased interfacial tension. Even an intensive scour and/or
neutralizing process will not entirely remove those hard to rinse off non-ionic surfactants. In case these
non-ionic residues are not quantitatively removed, they will have a huge influence on the effect level of
the FC finish. Here we would recommend a sequestration as described in suffix 3.

Alkaline residues of previous process steps:

Alkaline residues will lead to a reduction of the effect level and might also cause liquor stability problems.
Residual alkaline from previous process steps like bleaching, mercerizing or dyeing processes is usually
removed by intensive rinsing or neutralizing baths. In a combined use of fluorochemicals with
crosslinking agents for cellulosics, alkaline substances may cause the so-called fish odor due to the
formation of trimethylamine. This is known to be formed from dimethylolethylenurea or n-
methylolmelamine compounds in the presence of alkaline substances.

Residues respectively a combination of silicone softeners or fatty modified paraffin:

These products are used as defoaming or softening agents. Products containing silicone have a strong
affinity to oily substances and may have a negative influence on the oil repellency of the FC finish.
Softeners contain a fatty compound. This remnant affects the characteristics of the product like
hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties as well as soft handle properties. The selection of softening
agents or silicone elastomeric compounds should be adapted to the desired effect level, this means the
product should not have an influence to the oil and water repellency. Our recommendation therefore is to
use MEGASOFT® JET-LF or SAPAMINE® SEW as softening agents in combination with FC.
Residues respectively a combination with Antistatic agents
Antistatic agents, especially developed for the combination with FC products, like ZEROSTAT® FC NEW,
can be used without problems.

Recipe recommendations for additional pre-wash or sequestration

Suffix 1: alkaline pre-wash to remove residues:

2 g/l ULTRAVON® EL or INVATEX® CRA

0–2 g/l INVATEX® SA
2 g/l Soda Ash

40-60°C for 20 min

Rinse warm and cold

Suffix 2: acid pre-wash to remove residues:

1–2 g/l INVATEX® CRA

4 ml/l Acetic acid 60 %

40-60°C for 20 min

Rinse warm and cold

Suffix 3: sequestration of non-ionic substances:

1.5 g/l ERIONAL® RF

4 ml/l Acetic acid 60%

40-60°C for 20min

Rinse warm and cold

In some cases an alkaline pre-wash followed by an acid wash will be the optimum solution. The most
successfully applied method in production is the sequestration recipe as described in suffix 3.

Remark
Due to the characteristic color of ERIONAL® RF there is a possibility of shade inconsistency on bleached
or optical brightened goods by using the recommended pre-wash recipe. Preliminary trials are therefore
essential.
Attention

Our technical papers provide directions for application possibilities of our products and general
information about certain topics. Any influence on dyes, prints and their fastness properties, degree of
whiteness, fabric properties, handle, non-slip, seam resistance and material strength, ageing resistance,
odor of finished fabric etc. are under the user’s responsibility. Due to many different textile variations we
are not able to submit a general recommendation. Our recommendations are in line with our present
state of knowledge and do not provide any guarantee. Therefore initial internal bulk trials are absolutely
necessary. The manufacturer is not liable for damages due to improper application or application against
our explicit recommendations.

Statutory provisions and standard regulations must be observed when handling processing agents. For
additional detailed information please refer to the product specific safety data sheet.

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