Nonionic antistatic agents

Fig. 4. (a) Yam resistance in n-cm vs amount of antistatic agent on the yam. The agent is the ethyl sulfate salt of an amine, (b) Resistance vs amount of nonionic, hygroscopic agent on the yam. Dotted lines are calculated from the specific resistance of the dry bulk solution soHd lines are experimental yam... 

This material is a nonionic, 100% active antistatic material designed for general antistatic use. This material is recommended for use on synthetic fibers as well as for the processing of wool where processing oils and emulsions are also present. ECCOSTAT P would be in the non-durable category of antistatic agents. 

Anionic antistatic agent for natural and synthetic fibers. HYDROSTAT A may be applied in conjunction with anionic or nonionic materials. 

Cationic antistatic agent for synthetic fibers. Applied by either pad or long bath, allows full antistatic protection with virtually no alterations to hand. Compatible with cationic and nonionic agents. 

A wide range of anionic and nonionic TRITON surfactants is available for use in the textile industry. They are useful in solving wetting problems, as dyeing assistants, as dye leveling agents, as softeners, as antistatic agents as well as emulsifiers and stabilizers. 

Amine oxides are also employed to improve foam characteristics and stabilize lather, especially at moderately acidic pH values. CAP (cocamidopropyl) amine oxide is one of the most commonly used amine oxides. These materials act as nonionics at the near-neutral pH encountered in shampoos but are easily protonated at acidic pH. As a result, they sometimes behave as cationics and act as conditioning and antistatic agents as well in a properly formulated system [13,19],... 

Because of their good affinity for water, all these compounds are efficient antistatic agents (especially ethoxylated nonionic actives). They also exhibit a good stability to heat [52], Polyglycol fatty esters deliver good softness and static control without any drawback [15,55],... 

Fabric softeners may also contain antistatic agents (anionic or ethoxylated nonionic surfactants) and/or humectants to increase the moisture level at the fabric surface [52],... 

Static charges on polymer surfaces can be controlled by the presence of antistatic agents that make the surface more conductive or less resistive. For example, water within a hydrophilic polymer can act as an antistatic agent and prevent static buildup. The amount of water is important for example, water in a polyamide in equilibrium with air at 65% RH acts as an antistatic agent, but at iow RH values, water is not effective. Since most polymers used in packaging are not hydrophilic, antistatic additives may be used to control static. Generally, these agents are cationic, anionic, or nonionic surfactants. 

Nonionic antistatic agents are supplied for the most parting liquid form or as waxes with a low softening region. The low polarity of this class makes its members ideal internal antistatic agents for polyethylene and polypropylene. 

Antistatic agents have proved very effective in polyolefins. Nonionic materials, usually ethoxylated, propoxylated, or glycerol compounds, provide the right degree of polarity. Ethoxylated amines, both naturally derived and synthetic, are the most widely used. Glycerides with a high mono content (90%) have proved successful. Loading requirements are very low—a few tenths of a percent at most. Quaternary ammonium compounds provide effective antistat for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 

Internal antistatic agents are of interfacially active character, and via migration accumulate on the surface of the plastic product. Their molecules posses hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups the former confer a certain compatibility with the polymer and the hydrophilic groups take care of the binding and exchange of water on the surface. They are anionic, cationic or nonionic compounds [97]. External agents are applied to the surface of the plastic material in the form of aqueous or alcoholic solutions. 

To carry out the experiments, 150 g of caprolactam from BASF, commercially available in granular form, was placed in a 500 ml reaction vessel. Additionally, 3% of activator (type Bruggolen C 20 in powder form) and 4% catalyst (type Bruggolen C 10) were also added to the reaction mixture in solid state form at room temperature. PA-6 fibers kindly supplied by the Institut fUr Textiltechnik - RWTH Aachen in the form of continuous yarn (specifications 40 tex f44) were also used. The sizing (Dryfi L 11 C) present on the yarn is a mixture of heat-resistant lubricants, nonionic emulsifiers and antistatic agent, the details of which can be obtained from Schill + Seilacher GmbH [112]. 

Cationic and anioiuc antistatic agents perform best in polar polymers, but their interaction with PVC heat stabilizers must be considered. Fatty acid based amines can react with the chlorine in PVC. Nonionic antistats are deployed in polyolefins, ABS and styrene polymers. 

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