| INTRODUCTION | | | | considerably lower loading. Unlike hydrodynamic |
| Through the whole manufacturing chain, Fibre finishes | | | | lubrication, at low spin finish loading, the influential |
| accompany the fibre, most commonly in a topical | | | | lubrication system would be boundary lubrication. The |
| solution. A finish helps the fibre in passing through | | | | improved spreading technologies display a uniform |
| machinery. Without it, friction would immediately stop | | | | molecular orientation on the surface of the Fibre, |
| the machine. Now a need is felt for fibre finishing | | | | leading to the impressive performance. As the loading |
| technologies, which are indispensable to manufacture | | | | of spin finish extends, hydrodynamic lubrication |
| as well to grow rapidly. An upsurge in textile production | | | | becomes the leading mechanism and the benefit of |
| has given fibre finish suppliers a reason to continuously | | | | the improved surface coverage is reduced. |
| seek new and enhanced technologies that provide | | | | Commercial experience on polypropylene staple Fibres |
| value and cost efficiency to their customers. Fibre | | | | has proved that the frictional advantages of |
| finishes have two uses in the industry: to process Fibre | | | | developing the surface coverage of the finish can |
| (e.g. spin finishes) and to give advantageous end | | | | allow a major (ca. 40%) decrease in the finish level |
| properties to an accomplished article (e.g. effect | | | | while at the same time allowing an important boost (ca. |
| finishes), such as wicking for a diaper cover stock. | | | | 30%) in the yarn spinning speed. Moreover, the |
| Fibre finishes are compulsory for processing synthetic | | | | healthier coverage enriches abrasion properties of the |
| Fibres and without their use, various areas where | | | | Fibre and consequently reduces the generation of dust |
| synthetic Fibres are now applicable would have | | | | during subsequent processing. |
| remained unrealized. To cope with the specific | | | | Very often, it is not preferred to distinctly lessen F/F |
| processing environment and for the end-use | | | | friction as a certain degree of orderliness between the |
| application, Fibre finishes are evolved. If properly | | | | Fibres may be vital for effective functions like carding. |
| chosen, Fibre finish is able to give can provide | | | | Thus, it can be said that the improved surface |
| differentiation among the contributions of diverse | | | | coverage technology does not make hostile effect on |
| producers, creating a competitive benefit. The "bar" on | | | | this parameter. |
| the performance of Fibre finishes is continuously being | | | | Antistatic Performance: Overall, Synthetic Fibres are |
| raised. Any advancement in the performance of Fibre | | | | inferior electrical conductors. Electrostatic charges can |
| finishes would be gladly appreciated. Controlling the | | | | easily develop a Fibre surface unless and until the |
| costs, whenever possible, is the pressing need of the | | | | surface is treated with a spin finish having an antistatic |
| competitive environment. Thus, together with the | | | | force. |
| craving for higher performing Fibre finishes is the | | | | Antistatic agents are performed by drawing a |
| craving to apply as little Fibre finish as required to give | | | | molecular cover of water to the surface of the Fibre. |
| the necessary effect. As a result, the need exists for | | | | The water constructs an uninterrupted path on the |
| higher performance finishes that "do more with less." | | | | Fibre surface. The water has a greater amount of |
| Another stress is the environmental effect of applying | | | | conductivity than does the Fibre surface, enabling the |
| processing Fibre finishes. It is normal that a | | | | treated Fibre to discharge electrostatic buildup. |
| considerable amount of the Fibre finish applied does | | | | Performance is directly applicable to the level to which |
| not really coat the Fibre. Approximate calculations of | | | | antistatic agent has covered the Fibre surface. |
| the bulk of the lost finish vary between 10% to nearly | | | | Once again, a "standard" spin finish was assessed with |
| 50% in some cases. This "lost" finish is an | | | | and without the improved surface coverage additive. |
| environmental load as well as a cost exhaustion. Thus, | | | | Figure III. displays the results. The improved surface |
| the need exists for Fibre finishes which are greatly | | | | coverage technology sanctions antistatic performance |
| associated with the Fibre surface during application. | | | | to be achieved at far lower loading than is the case |
| Work is in motion at companies, who deliver critical | | | | with the "standard" finish. The improved surface |
| Fibre finish modules and Fibre finishes, improving | | | | coverage technology allows the finish to cover the |
| solutions to these recognized market needs. It is | | | | surface briskly and thoroughly. |
| beyond doubt that the effect of new chemistry used | | | | Wicking: Polypropylene has a poor surface energy. As |
| in Fibre finishes would be important, but given the time | | | | such, high surface energy liquids, like body fluids or |
| for qualification of the new chemistry and the | | | | water, will not easily moisten a polypropylene surface. |
| regulatory processes that go with the introduction of | | | | Nevertheless, the fruitful use of polypropylene in |
| new chemistry; this would seem to be a longer-term | | | | applications such as diaper cover stock relies on the |
| solution. An immediate answer would be to improve | | | | strength of the polypropylene surface to let liquids |
| the performance of present Fibre finish technology | | | | move quickly through it to "super absorbent" layers |
| through ace formulation of the spin finish module | | | | below. The conversion of polypropylene into a useful |
| chemistry available. Uniqema is a supplier of Fibre finish | | | | material of construction for these applications includes |
| modules and completely formulated Fibre finishes. It | | | | the use of wicking agents. Wicking agents alter the |
| has evolved Enhanced Surface Coverage (ESC) | | | | surface features of polypropylene, allowing liquids to |
| technology to advance Fibre finish performance. The | | | | quickly "wick" through the cover stock layer. |
| ESC technology strikingly upgrades the degree of | | | | Various successful hydrophilic wicking agents are |
| surface coverage of the finish on Fibre surfaces. | | | | available and each functions well in a single use |
| Better surface coverage offers the following | | | | application. Nevertheless, an urgent need is to enhance |
| advantages: | | | | wicking agents that will cope with several insults or |
| . Improves the effect performance of the Fibre finish, | | | | have the strength to re-moisten the polypropylene |
| properties of friction, antistatic and wicking in particular; | | | | surface. Most standard wicking agents are washed |
| . Puts up with a lower finish loading to be used | | | | from the surface after one or two insults and are not |
| because of better surface coverage; | | | | strong enough to give wicking performance. |
| . Decrease the amount of finish lost into the | | | | The improved surface coverage technology offers |
| environment during application. | | | | better wicking performance in proportion to a standard |
| WETTING vs. SPREADING | | | | finish, for both melt-blown fabric and spun-bond fabric. |
| Surface coverage by a Fibre finish includes two crucial, | | | | The outcomes are displayed in Figure IV. The |
| yet dissimilar features: wetting and spreading. It is | | | | performance of two improved surface coverage |
| important to figure out the difference between these | | | | technology finishes is compared to that of a "standard" |
| two aspects. | | | | finish. |
| Wetting: Normally, spin finish formulations are | | | | Given the improved lubricant and antistatic |
| composed of a lubricant and antistatic properties, albeit | | | | performance, the improved wicking performance of |
| other effect components such as antimicrobials and | | | | the developed surface coverage technology is not |
| wicking agents also can be incorporated. Very often, | | | | surprising. Nevertheless, what is astonishing is that the |
| the spin finishformulation is used in adulterated form, | | | | improved surface coverage technology produced |
| either as an emulsion (whereby, an emulsifier would be | | | | Fibre, which was strong enough to cope with |
| formulated into the spin finish), a solution or dispersal. In | | | | numerous insults still has wicking property. |
| each of these cases, water would be the diluent. | | | | The "standard" finish loses its strength in wicking |
| Smooth coverage of the Fibre surface by the diluted | | | | performance after 1-2 insults. Nevertheless, the |
| finish is desirable. This effect can be brought to fruition | | | | improved surface coverage technology finishes |
| by including a wetting agent into the spin finish | | | | endure 4-5 insults. We assume that the better |
| formulation. Many superior wetting agents are available | | | | spreading of the finishes is made by a greater alliance |
| for fusing into spin finish formulations. Wetting | | | | of the finish for the polypropylene surface, which |
| performance of diluted spin finishes is rarely an issue. | | | | results in resilience of the effect on the surface. |
| Spreading: The final performance of any Fibre finish | | | | FINISH RETENTION ON FIBRE |
| relies upon the strength of the finish to preserve even | | | | One thought occurs to mind with the improved surface |
| surface coverage after the water diluent has faded | | | | coverage technology is that it may escalate the finish |
| out from the finish. Moreover, the performance of any | | | | absorbed on the Fibre as a percentage of the amount |
| neat (undiluted) finish depends on its capacity to cover | | | | applied. Commercial experience with a neat finish for |
| evenly the Fibre surface upon application. Neat finishes | | | | polyester screened as-is and with the enhanced |
| are significant for many crucial applications; therefore, | | | | surface coverage technology, showed a sudden |
| surface coverage is a related issue. This phenomenon | | | | boost in the amount of finish retained. The effect of |
| of the spin finish to evenly cover the Fibre surface is | | | | minimizing the "lost" finish from 16% to 2% is two-fold: |
| the complete opposites of the phenomenon of wetting. | | | | . Finish Costs: Scope would exist to minimize finish |
| Spreading is the end product that is depicted by the | | | | application level and still be able to bring the same FOY |
| capability of the spin finish to cover the Fibre surface. | | | | (i.e. finish on yarn) loading to fruition and |
| Bad spreading lessens the efficiency of the spin finish | | | | . Environmental Responsibility: The outcomes would |
| on the Fibre surface. Good spreading improves the | | | | point out that emissions of "lost" finish could be |
| effect delivered by the Fibre finish components which | | | | decreased nearly 90% |
| could lead to advanced performance at a given spin | | | | Similar commercial experience with a neat finish for |
| finish loading or the knack to apply less spin finish and | | | | polypropylene filament yarn has proved that the level |
| still obtain preferred Fibre surface effects. Often, good | | | | of sling, while not quantified, was suddenly decreased |
| wetting agents do not perform well to cater spreading | | | | when using an "ESC" finish, leading to a spotless |
| performance to the Fibre finish. Thoroughly separate | | | | working atmosphere in respect of both air-borne |
| chemistry is required to provide the preferred effect. | | | | droplets and floor/machine contamination. |
| PERFORMANCE RESULTS: | | | | SUMMING UP |
| The advantages of the improved surface coverage | | | | The performance of Fibre finishes is abundantly |
| can be seen in various performance parameters. Data | | | | improved by the inclusion of developed surface |
| have been produced by comparing the lubricant, | | | | coverage technology. The improved surface coverage |
| antistatic and wicking performance of Fibre finishes | | | | technology approves the finish to evenly cover the |
| with and without the increased surface coverage | | | | Fibre surface. The outcomes of the improved surface |
| technology. Polypropylene was used for the | | | | coverage are added properties for the Fibre, in |
| assessments. | | | | proportion to Fibre with "standard" finishes; the strength |
| Lubrication: Lubrication performance in a Fibre | | | | to optimize finish loading to balance cost/effect; and, |
| application characteristically includes two noticeable | | | | the scope to decrease the environmental load of Fibre |
| frictional measurements: Fibre-to-metal (F/M) friction | | | | finish. |
| and Fibre-to-Fibre (F/F) friction. Both measurements | | | | To read more articles on Textile, Fashion, Apparel, |
| are equally significant for the processing of a Fibre and | | | | Technology, Retail and General please visit If you wish |
| its transformation into a complete article. To improve | | | | to download/republish the above article to your |
| performance in each of these frictional measurements, | | | | website or newsletters then please include the "Article |
| better surface coverage has been displayed. | | | | Source". Also, you have to make it hyperlinked to our |
| In contrast, the same spin finish with improved surface | | | | site. |
| coverage furnishes excellent performance at a | | | | |