When using silicone softeners for fabric softening, you will encounter a variety of problems, and targeted solutions need to be taken.


1. PH value problem: The stability of softeners is sensitive to PH value. In dyeing and finishing, alkali is often used in fabric pretreatment, and alkali will remain in the mercerizing process. Alkali is sometimes also needed for dyeing, which may cause the fabric surface to be alkaline after finishing. Ordinary silicone oil is not alkali-resistant, and it is easy to demulsify under alkaline conditions. It is easy to stick to the roller during the dip-rolling softening process and produce silicone oil spots. The solution is to wash the alkali agent on the fabric surface before softening, add acetic acid to the working liquid, and keep the pH value of the rolling groove at 5-6.


2. The speed problem of the setting machine: The speed of the dyeing factory setting machine is fast when producing ultra-thin fabrics. The thin fabric has a small amount of liquid and poor permeability. The hydrophilicity and shear resistance of silicone oil are poor, which causes the silicone oil to flow back to the roller and stick to the roller. This can be solved by controlling the speed, improving the permeability of the fabric surface, replacing the working liquid of the rolling groove and cleaning the roller, and improving the shear resistance of the silicone oil.


3. Problem of applying softener in the vat: When the factory does impregnation softening in the vat, ordinary silicone oil will form black viscous substances on the wall of the vat due to its structure and dye vat residues, and will stain the cloth to form silicone oil spots. Solutions include strengthening cleaning work, selecting silicone oil in the vat with good stability, washing the cloth surface without alkali, and adding acid to adjust the pH value to about 6.


4. Problem of silicone oil coagulation: When processing fabrics containing short fibers, the short fibers fall and are stained by silicone oil to form cohesive aggregates. When the water quality is poor, ordinary silicone oil will also coagulate, causing sticking to the roller or silicone oil spots. Clean well before driving, wash the cloth surface and wool, and choose silicone oil with good hydrophilicity to alleviate this problem.


5. Temperature problem: Many silicone oils on the market are not resistant to high temperatures. In summer, the temperature of southern factories is high, and the high temperature of the cloth surface affects the stability of silicone oil. Ordinary amino silicone oils cause problems such as sticking to the roller, floating oil, and demulsification due to temperature changes. The solution is to put the cloth on the machine after it cools down, use normal temperature water to dissolve the material, choose silicone oil with good high temperature resistance and stability, and control the rolling groove temperature not to exceed 40℃.


6. Time problem: Some silicone oils have poor shear resistance. If the emulsion is used for too long, it will stick to the roller. If it is of poor quality, it will also form a skin on the roller, affecting the start-up and quality. After working for a period of time, it is necessary to stop the machine for cleaning, replace the working fluid, and scrub the roller with degreasing agent and cleaning agent.


7. Concentration problem: If the concentration of silicone oil is too high and the viscosity of the working fluid is too large, it is easy to stick to the roller or form a skin to produce silicone oil spots. High-concentration silicone oil stock liquid will also cause problems when it contacts the cloth surface. It is necessary to set the process reasonably, control the concentration of silicone oil working fluid, and strengthen operation management.


8. Ionicity problem: Cationic silicone oil is commonly used in factories. If it is bathed with anionic whitening agent or other additives, it will condense and stick to the roller due to the attraction reaction of positive and negative charges. During processing, the ionicity should be ensured to be consistent. When softening and whitening are bathed together, non-ionic whitening agents should be used as much as possible.


9. Fabric yellowing problem: The amino group of amino silicone oil is easily oxidized to make the fabric yellow. Too much alkaline agent on the fabric surface, high pH, high temperature drying, and storage of polluted gases can all lead to yellowing. You can choose linear block copolymer modified silicone softener, strengthen process control, and add anti-heat yellowing and anti-phenol yellowing finishing agents.


10. Water quality problem: Poor factory water quality, high hardness, many microbial impurities, or improper use of recycled water will affect the stability of the softener. You can filter and precipitate to remove impurities, soften the water quality, choose silicone oil with good stability, test the pH value of recycled water and adjust it to about 6 before use.