Silicons in Textiles - The World of Tomorrow

摘要

Of the various types of products used in textile manufactur-ing, silicones are perhaps the most versatile, as they are used in such a wide range of textile processes. Following is basic information about the applications of silicones in the textile industry, along with some aspects about their relationship to the environment. The "family" of silicone polymers includes an extremely diverse group of materials, with literally thousands of variations. Silicones are engineering materials which combine certain characteristics of both organic and inorganic materials, frequently offering the most desirable properties of both. Most of the silicone products used in the textile industry are derived from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) technology, including antifoams, thread lubricants, softeners, and wetting agents. Some are supplied as high-solids emulsions, others as fluids or room temperature curing sealants. Performance-enhancing additives based on silicone technology can be either reactive or nonreactive. A significant advantage of using silicone process aids is the ability to derive more than one benefit from a single product.