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Types of Antistatic Finishes

This document discusses two types of antistatic finishes that can be applied to textiles: non-durable and durable. Non-durable finishes use anionic compounds like esters of phosphoric acid or alkyl phosphates and are only suitable for fabrics that do not require laundering. Durable finishes form a cross-linked polymer network on the fabric surface using methods like reacting polyamides with polyglycols or introducing a polyepoxide that provides both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties to withstand repeated washing. The hydrophilic part absorbs moisture to reduce static charge buildup, but high moisture absorption can cause the polymer film to soften during laundering.

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Sadaf Sweet
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141 views2 pages

Types of Antistatic Finishes

This document discusses two types of antistatic finishes that can be applied to textiles: non-durable and durable. Non-durable finishes use anionic compounds like esters of phosphoric acid or alkyl phosphates and are only suitable for fabrics that do not require laundering. Durable finishes form a cross-linked polymer network on the fabric surface using methods like reacting polyamides with polyglycols or introducing a polyepoxide that provides both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties to withstand repeated washing. The hydrophilic part absorbs moisture to reduce static charge buildup, but high moisture absorption can cause the polymer film to soften during laundering.

Uploaded by

Sadaf Sweet
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ANTISTATIC FINISHES

Antistatic finishes can be classified as:


1. Non-durable antistatic finishes
2. Durable antistatic finishes

NON-DURABLE ANTISTATIC FINISHES:


Generally, Non-durable antistatic finishes are applied to the textile fabrics that don’t require
multiple wash or any laundering in their lifetime. Mostly fibers and yarn processing finishes
are done through non-durable antistatic agents. For example: conveyor belts, driving cords
and textile filters.
These agents are anionic in nature having compounds such as:
 Esters of Phosphoric Acid (largest group of non-durable antistats and its durability
increases with molecular size)
 Alkyl Phosphates
 Ethoxylated Secondary Alcohols
 Glycerol
 Sodium Alkyl Sulfonates
Generally, the antistatic agents tend to develop hygroscopic materials which can be done by
Surfactants, Organic salts, Glycols, Poly Ethylene Glycols and Esters of salts of Alkyl
Phosphonium acids.
Glycols, Sulfonates or Amides are the agents based on hydroscopic compounds of low
molecular weight, and are not compatible with the base polymer, hence, they move towards
the surface of the fabric. As a result, a thin layer on the surface is formed able to absorb
moisture and become conductive.
Requirements for Non-durable antistats are:
 Low volatility
 Low flammability
 Non yellowing (heat stable)
 Low foaming
 Non corrosiveness

EXAMPLES OF NON DURABLE ANTISTATS:


DURABLE ANTISTATIC FINISHES:
Durable antistatic finishes are quite difficult but possible to achieve.
To obtain antistatic properties durable to repeated launderings, a cross-linked polymer
network is formed on the surface of the fabric. This cross-linked polymer network can have
hydrophobic and hydrophilic functionalities. Typically, Polyamides are reacted with
Polyglycols to make this kind of structure.
Crosslinking approaches are numerous. One is based on Polyepoxides. The introduction of
hydrophilic character into the fabric surface is prime important and can be done by final
polymer to meet the individual requirements. The hydrophilic part directs towards the air
and absorbs moisture, hence ensuring dissipation of charge and better ion mobility.
To achieve higher antistatic effect, the hydrophilic portion should be larger and hence it will
absorb more moisture. Some Polyamines may be reacted with Polyglycols for durable
hydrophilic finishing of textiles. Carbon or metallic coatings (e.g. Nano Silver) can be applied
on the fabric which will result in improved fabric conductivity and reduced static charge
accumulation.

DISADVANTAGES OF ANTISTATIC FINISHES:


 At high levels of absorbed moisture, the polymer surface film softens and is more
easily removed by abrasion during laundering.
 Higher degrees of cross linking will reduce the moisture absorption and subsequent
swelling, but the antistatic effectiveness decreases.

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