Comparison of performances of macro, micro and nano silicone softeners

Abstract A lightweight plain-woven scoured and bleached cotton fabric was treated with macro, micro and nano silicone softeners each at three levels of concentration separately. The treated fabric samples were tested for hydrophilicity and various physical properties to evaluate the performance of the softeners. By using ANOVA it is established that there were significant changes in the degree of hydrophilicity, crease recovery, stiffness, bending modulus, drape as well as tearing strength. The macro softener made the fabric less flexible and less hydrophilic in nature than the same with the micro. The micro softener imparted maximum flexibility and the nano softener the best hydrophilicity. The softness, evaluated subjectively by the judges, confirmed that the nano-finished sample produced maximum softness and maximum durability followed by micro- and macro-finished samples. The scanning electron microscope photographs confirm that the macro softener mostly deposits on the fibre surface, while the nano softener penetrates inside the fibre and the micro softener takes up an intermediate status. Keywords: softenerssiliconesstiffnesstearing strengthdrapeKendall's coefficient of concordance Acknowledgement The authors are thankful to Mr Ashim Ghosh of Clariant India for providing softener samples and valuable technical advice.