ANTI-STATIC FINISHES

Static electricity?
It is the ability of fibers to draw and retain electrical charges from the air resulting in a build up on the fabrics surface. The electricity is generated by friction of a fabric against itself or against another fabric or object. Some fabrics are inherently static. Fabrics with static electricity: produce shocks cause garments to cling together or to the wearer attract dirt or lint allow dirt to adhere to the fabric muting colors or fabric

Warning for Static electricity

Antistatic Finish
Definition
Antistatic finishes involve chemical substances applied as wet finishes for the purpose of reducing or eliminating static. These chemicals absorb small amount of moisture from the atmosphere, thus reducing the dryness of the fabric that reduces the static conduct.

Antistatic Finish
Purpose
Antistatic finishes tend to: improve the surface conductivity, and thereby helps the electrons to move either to the ground or to the atmosphere attract molecules of water to the surface, which increase the conductance and carry away the static charges develop an electric charge opposite that of the fiber, which neutralizes the electrostatic charge. The most effective finish combines all the three effects.

Antistatic Finish
Fibers treated with Antistatic Finish:
Hydrophobic fibers (synthetic fibers except acetate & rayon). Antistatic finish is also required for natural fibers, but only if they are very dry (wool, cotton ) in which case they act as if they are hydrophobic. Glass is an exception because of its composition.

Other solutions to Static Problems

Some variants used are: Anti-static sprays applied to fabrics during the cutting & sewing Anti-static products used during the care or laundering of garments Anti-static rods are used in the manufacturing processes of fabrics
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Other solutions to Static Problems

High voltage ionisers used in loom or other sheds

Radio active eliminators are also used for the same purpose using radio isotope Thallium 204
Anti-static agents can be applied to filaments, yarns or fabrics.

Mechanism
Antistatic agents increases the conductivity of the fiber surface and reduces the frictional forces through lubrication. Forms an intermediate hygroscopic layer on the surface. The effectiveness of hygroscopic layer depends greatly on the humidity of the surrounding air during actual use; lower humidity leads to lower conductivity and greater problems. In non-polymeric antistatic finishes, the hydrophobic structure parts of the molecule act as lubricants to reduce charge buildup.
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Mechanism
Cationic antistatic agents align with hydrophobic group away from the fiber surface. Antistatic effect from anionic and non-ionic increases conductivity from mobile ions and the hydration layer that surrounds the hydrophilic portion of the molecule.

Chemistry of Antistatic Finishes

There are two effects possible with antistatic finishes:

Non-Durable

finishes

Durable finishes

Non-Durable Finishes

Preferred for fibers and yarn processing finishes. Since ease of removal is important.
low volatility low flammability non-yellowing (heat stable)

General requirements of non-durable anti-stats are:

non-corrosive
low foaming properties
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Non-Durable Finishes
1. Esters of phosphoric acid

Forms the largest group of non-durable anti-stats.

Durability of phosphoric acid ester increases with molecular size.

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Non-Durable Finishes
2.

Quaternary ammonium:
Forms the second largest group of non-durable antistats. Most widely used are - di tallowdimethylammonium chloride

- di hydrogenated tallow di methylammonium chloride

Common ingredients in laundry and dryer.

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Non-Durable Finishes
3.

Non-ionic compounds It includes - ethoxylated esters - alcohols

- alkylamines
The non-ionic materials provide increased moisture absorption and cationic products provides the mobile counter ions.

Durable Finishes
Difficult to achieve Principle involved to form a cross linked polymer network containing hydrophilic groups Steps involved in application Polyamines are reacted with poly glycols to make cross linked structures Polymers are formed prior to application to fabric or in situ on the fiber surface
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Durable Finishes
Variety of cross linking can be used based on poly epoxides
Larger the hydrophilic portion, the more moisture is absorbed and greater the antistatic effect obtained

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Durable Finishes

Difficulties in cross linking

Higher degrees of cross linking reduce the moisture absorption and subsequent swelling, thus decreasing the antistatic effectiveness
Interferences with soil release and soil re-deposition properties.

Process
On the basis of their application, antistatic finishes can be classified as:
Chemical Process Mechanical Process

Antistatic Finish as a Chemical Process

Involve chemical substances applied as wet finishes for the purpose of reducing or eliminating static buildup. Chemical substances develops an electric charge opposite to that of the fiber and neutralizes the static charge buildup on the fiber by attracting molecules of water to the surface of the fabric. Some chemicals used: Quaternary ammonium compounds Cationic organic compounds Blend of cationic surface-acting agents Applied by conventional wet-processing operations utilizing padding, spraying or exhaustion methods.

Antistatic Finish as Mechanical Process

Utilizes an antistatic mechanical eliminator, which ionizes the air around it producing enough ionization to neutralize the static buildup. Antistatic mechanical eliminators include: Shock less static bars Enclosed static bars Metal-encased static bars Explosive-proof static bars Circular static bars One-point static bars Introduction static bars Environ stat static bars

Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

It should be done in an environment where the temperature and relative humidity are thoroughly controlled. Different tests done are: Ash test AATCC Test Method 115: Electrostatic clinging of fabrics AATCC Test Method 76: Electrical resistivity of fabrics. Charge Dissipation Test AATCC Test Method 134:Electrostatic properties of carpets

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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

ASH TEST
This test is mainly used as a qualitative tool to distinguish between antistatic- treated and untreated fabrics. Fabric to be evaluated is rubbed briskly on a piece of plastic or rubber. Then fabric is placed containing cigarette ash. over ashtray

The amount of ash transferred to the fabric indicates the amount of static charge imparted to the fabric.
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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

AATCC TEST METHOD 115: Electrostatic clinging of fabrics
Fabric to metal test also known as the CLING TEST A electrically charged fabric is placed next to a grounded inclined metal plate.

Any residual electrical charges causes the fabric to cling to the plate.
Time required for the fabric to be released from the plant is measured. The shorter the cling time better the antistatic properties.
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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

AATCC

TEST METHOD 76: Electrical Resistivity Of

Fabrics
Used to measure the surface resistivity of fabrics. The voltage drop across a ring electrode system is used to determine the fabrics resistivity A resistivity value of 1011ohm/ square or lower is considered to be indicative of a fabric with negligible static propensity. The national fire protection Association (NFPA) has specified a resistivity of 1011ohm/ square for textiles intended for use in operating rooms with flammable anesthetic gases.
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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

Table showing values at normal climate with 65% relative humidity
Surface resistivity range() 1x106 1x108 1x108 1x109 1x109 1x1010 Assessment Very good Good Satisfactory

1x1010 5x1010
>5x1010

Limit of sufficient
insufficient

This method is easy and relatively reproducible to determine with the ring electrode. But it is based on a static test with no information about the important charging and discharging behavior of the textiles. Therefore, combination with a charge dissipation test is favoured.
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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

CHARGE DISSIPATION TEST
This test is done with the Static Voltmeter Fabric sample is fixed vertically and charged with direct voltage or by rubbing with glass rod. The static Voltmeter measures the maximum charge generated as well as the charge decay. The time necessary for the charge to fall to one half its maximum value is recorded. Shorter this half-life, the better the antistatic properties.
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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

Table having values at normal climate with 65% relative air humidity:
Field intensity half-life time (s) Assessment 0-0.3 0.3-1 1-2 2-3 >3 Very good Good Satisfactory Sufficient insufficient

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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

AATCC TEST METHOD 134: Electrostatic properties of carpets
A charge generated test for carpets
The body voltage of a person wearing shoes with standard neoprene or leather soles is measured as they walk across a carpet. Maximum voltage after 30-60s is recorded. The lower the voltage, the better the antistatic properties.
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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

Points to be considered:
Uniform fabric penetration is important for optimal performance.
The use of wetting agents in the finish formulation is recommended. Pad, spray and Foam application are favoured.

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Evaluation of Antistatic Finishes

Side Effects of Antistatic Finishes:
Decrease Wear comfort Decrease Soil release properties Increased soiling with dry soil Yellowing after exposed to heat and Impaired crock fastness of textiles dyed or printed with disperse dyes. The permanence of antistatic finishing effects to repeat washings, even at 400C,is limited

Uses
Carpets for computer room. Upholstery fabrics Airbags for automobiles Conveyor belts Filtration fabrics Airmail bags Parachutes. Fabrics for hospital operating rooms. And protective clothing for work with flammable gases, liquids and powdered solids.

Research & Development

Antistatic Fibers Contains a section of carbon Some examples: Mosanto Chemical Companys Ultron Nylon (used primarily for antistatic floor coverings ) Du Ponts Negastat Polyster ( used primarily for clean room apparel as required in the aerospace and computer chip industries) BHSFs Resistant Nylon (Its uses include the antistatic conveyor belts, gloves and conductive brushes)

Research & Development

Conductive fibers
Excellent durable control of static electricity is achieved by incorporating these fibers into fabric during spinning, knitting or weaving. These conductive fibers are always black or metallic in appearance and can be easily seen in most textiles, even at low levels of use thus limiting its use in very specialized apparel and carpeting.

Research & Development

MegatopiaInto
Invented by TORAY Deutschland GmbH

The perfect fusion of two great strengths, anti-static fiber and conductive fiber.
High performance anti-static uniform material project made possible by a duct of new anti-static technologies. Blazing the frontier of the new age of antistatic uniforms.

 Textile science B.P.G. Gohl Textile fiber to fabric B.P. Corbman Fabric finishing J.J. Pizzuto Understanding fabrics Debbie Ann Gioello Textile finishing - R.S. Pragya