Antistatic Agents in the Textile Industry

Abstract

Meetings of the Midlands Section held jointly with the Nottingham Textile Society at the Gas Board Theatre, Nottingham, on 18th November 1958, Mr. A. W. Carpenter in the chair; of the Scottish Section held jointly with the Textile Institute at the St. Enoch Hotel, Glasgow, on 10th February 1959, Mr. W. G. B. Grant in the, chair; of the Huddersfield Section held at Silvio's Cafe, Huddersfield, on 17th February 1959, Mr. H. Boothroyd in the chair; and of the London Section held in the rooms of the Royal Society, Burlington House, London, on 6th March 1959, Dr. T. H. Morton in the chair The causes of “static” are discussed and appropriate counter‐measures described. Surface‐active agents are the most convenient to use and possess the greatest all‐round utility in the textile industry. The preferred properties of antistatic agents are given and suitable test methods discussed. Antistatic agents reduce the electrical resistance of fibres and are hygroscopic, but cannot be evaluated solely on the basis of these properties. It is probable that the nature and orientation of the hydrophilio groups of the agents on the fibre determine the antistatic effect, and that antistatic agents function not only because they are hygroscopic and reduce fibre resistance, but because they are orientated in a specific manner on the fibre surface. The “ageing” of antistatic agents appears to be due to diffusion into the fibre, resulting in a reduced surface concentration and a correspondingly diminished antistatic effect; it is accompanied by an increase in the electrical surface resistance of the fibre. Antistatic agents reduce fibre resistance even at elevated temperatures and low atmospheric humidities.

Antistatic Agents

“…However, the same finish applied to blankets for household use that would be laundered once or twice per year could be termed durable. Antistatic finishes have been widely reviewed (73)(74)(75)77,86,(90)(91)(92)(93)(94)(95).…”

“…As a result of this orientation, the fiber surface is covered with a radiating hedgehog structure. Orientation of these molecules at the fiber surface with the formation of an electrostatic shield probably has a specific effect on the static behavior (20,90). This is difficult to prove because the mechanism of charge generation is not completely known.…”

Influence and stabilization of environmental conditions on teraohmmeter measurements of textile materials

“…Antistatic agents were already discussed decades ago. Henshall 1 reported on antistatic agents used to increase the electrical conductivity of textile fibers by hydrophilic groups adhering to the fibers. Wilson 2 defined the surface resistivity as the best and most simply measurable property of antistatic textile fabrics.…”

Synthesis of acryl phosphate antistatic agent and its effect on the antistatic, thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA

“…While the introduction of a small amount of surfactant solves this problem, its main drawback is the long-term instability associated with its leakage. [6][7][8][9][10] Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin has been widely used for light illuminating devices, signboards, construction, and accessories, because of its high transparency, high surface gloss, and good thermal and mechanical properties. 11,12 However, the surface of PMMA can be readily damaged by the adsorption of environmental dirt and impurities, as it is easily charged electrically due to its high surface resistance.…”