What are Silicone Emulsions?
Emulsions are heterogeneous systems in which polar and nonpolar materials that can not remain thermodynamically stable while dispersing within each other are stabilized by using various surfactants. While selecting these surfactants, the HLB values are taken into consideration and emulsions are diversified according to their HLB values. If the HLB value is less than 7, W/O emulsion types are formed, if it is greater than 10, O/W emulsion types are formed. At the same time, emulsion types are classified due to the size of the particles. These emulsions are obtained to provide the fabric with properties such as slipperiness, softness, hydrophilicity and water repellency in the textile industry. Latro provides new technological silicone emulsions that allow you to add value to your products by combining silicone/silicone emulsions technology and application knowledge.
Chemical Structure of Silicone Emulsions
Silicone polymers are among hybrid organic or inorganic polymer class. They show desirable surface properties like low surface energy and good flexibility that helps even the high molecular weight chain to achieve ideal orientation at the interface. They have beneficial properties like water repellency, heat stability and resistance to chemicals.
Since silicone polymers can either be used as emulsifiers or act as the dispersed phase of the emulsion, they have dual characteristics. Anionically modified silicone polymer indicates that it can stabilize an emulsion of water in cyclic silicone oil in only a few compositions like 80% water and 20% oil. A silicone emulsion stabilized by hydrocarbon emulsifiers result in drastic changes in their electrokinetic and optical properties under external perturbations, like pH change.
A silicone emulsion contains 3 ingredients, ehich are polydimethylsiloxane, emulsifier and water. The most important ingredient is the emulsifier, which encapsulates the polydimethylsiloxane oil and holds it in suspension.
The most common emulsifier used in making silicone emulsions is ethoxylated glycol ethers. These have hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The hydrophobic faces the polydimethylsiloxane and the hydrophillic faces the water. This creates a barrier between the water and the polydimethylsiloxane.
Why Use Silicone Emulsions?
Micro Silicone Emulsion, Micro Silicone Emulsions and EP Emulsions are the three types of emulsions that are generally used in textile. All these emulsions are classified based on their particle size of dispersed phase. These particle size depends on the nature and quantity of surfactant used to make emulsion. More surfactant used leads to less particle size of dispersed phase and it will shift from Macroemulsion to Nano-emulsion.
Silicone emulsions are usually used as softener in Textiles. They are either emulsion of Polydimethyl Siloxane or emulsion of Amino Silicone. Mostly they’re oil in water emulsion.
Polydimethyl Siloxane is mainly ysed as defoaming and antifoaming agent along with hydrophobic or precipitated Silica. It can also be used to lubricate sewing thread along with Polyethylene emulsion.
Types of Silicon Emulsions
Micro Silicone Emulsion
Micro silicone emulsions with particle size less than 40 nm provide softness, slipperiness and smoothness to fabrics, depending on the chemical structure and properties of the silicone oil used. Starting from micro silicone emulsions, it is possible to obtain the properties that large particle sizes bring to the fabric by reducing to smaller particle sizes with the latest technology mechanical systems we use. After determining the most suitable surfactants to keep the emulsion stable, we are aware that the important thing is to create the right balance. To achieve that desired effect on the fabric, we carry out our work in line with this information.
Macro Silicone Emulsions
Macro silicone emulsions with particle sizes of 120 nm and above provide slipperiness, silky touch and softness to the fabric. With our innovative solutions, we prevent problems such as yellowing on the fabric surface caused by macro emulsions and stability in emulsions.
EP Emulsions
It is a type of emulsion that is formed by the polymerization of monomers in the environment where the emulsion is desired to be obtained. These emulsions have wide usage areas; paints, adhesives, paper and textile coatings. In coating applications, polymerization is carried out on a non-volatile organic compound. Keeping the reaction rate high while polymerization takes place ensures that polymers with high molecular weight are obtained. The resulting emulsions are ready to use directly or after mixing. We are focused on creating new possibilities with our solutions that provide a soft touch to polyurethane and natural leather; slipperiness to threads; mercerized effect to cotton knit fabrics; softness and smoothness to all fabric types.
