Functional Silicone Oils in Textile Post-Finishing: Types and Applications

As a "performance regulator" for textile post-finishing, the selection of functional silicone oils is not just a product issue, but a systematic engineering involving technology, cost, and environmental protection.

Softening Silicone Oils

Function: Reduce the friction coefficient between fibers, endowing fabrics with a soft and smooth hand feel—the most common type of textile silicone oils. Fabrics treated with softening silicone oils feel as delicate as baby skin when touched and fit the body perfectly when worn, delivering an ultimate comfortable experience. This softening effect not only enhances the quality of fabrics but also increases consumer favorability toward products.
Representative Products: Amino silicone oil, hydroxy silicone oil, methyl silicone oil, etc. Among them, amino silicone oil is widely used in the finishing of various high-end garment fabrics due to its excellent softening properties; hydroxy silicone oil, with its good reactivity, further enhances the softening effect when used in combination with other auxiliaries; methyl silicone oil, with high stability, is often used for fabric treatment with basic softness requirements.

Hydrophilic Silicone Oils

Function: Improve the moisture absorption and air permeability of fabrics, avoiding the stuffy feeling caused by the hydrophobic properties of synthetic fiber fabrics (such as polyester). In hot summer, clothing finished with hydrophilic silicone oils can quickly absorb sweat and release it into the air, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable at all times and saying goodbye to sticky discomfort.
Representative Products: Polyether-modified silicone oil, carboxyl silicone oil, modified amino silicone oil (such as amino-polyether co-modified silicone oil). Polyether-modified silicone oil significantly enhances the hydrophilic properties of fabrics by introducing hydrophilic polyether segments; the acidic groups of carboxyl silicone oil make it bind tightly to fibers, resulting in a long-lasting hydrophilic effect; amino-polyether co-modified silicone oil combines the advantages of amino and polyether groups, having both softening and hydrophilic functions.

Elastic Silicone Oils (Fluffy Silicone Oils)

Function: Enhance the elasticity and bulkiness of fabrics, making them plump and elastic to the touch, often used in knitted fabrics, woolen sweaters, etc. Knitted garments treated with elastic silicone oils allow free movement without a tight feeling when worn, and their appearance is fluffy and full, with a three-dimensional sense, which can better display the style and design of clothing.
Representative Products: Amino silicone oils with special structures (such as branched amino silicone oil), polyurethane-modified silicone oil. Branched amino silicone oil can form a unique network structure between fibers, increasing the elasticity and bulkiness of fabrics; polyurethane-modified silicone oil endows fabrics with long-lasting fluffy effects due to its good elasticity and flexibility.

Water and Oil Repellent Silicone Oils

Function: Form a hydrophobic and oleophobic film on the fabric surface to prevent the penetration of liquids such as water and oil, suitable for outdoor clothing, workwear fabrics, etc. For outdoor adventure enthusiasts, wearing clothing treated with water and oil repellent silicone oils, whether encountering sudden heavy rain or accidentally getting oil stains, there is no need to worry about the clothing being soaked or soiled, and it can always remain dry and clean.
Representative Products: Fluorine-modified silicone oil (such as fluorosilicone copolymer), long-chain alkyl-modified silicone oil. Fluorine-modified silicone oil has extremely low surface energy, effectively repelling water and oil; long-chain alkyl-modified silicone oil achieves water and oil repellency by forming a dense molecular film on the fabric surface.

Antistatic Silicone Oils

Function: Reduce static charge accumulation on the fabric surface, suitable for the finishing of chemical fiber fabrics (such as acrylic and polyester), and reduce the problem of static electricity attracting dust. In dry autumn and winter seasons, chemical fiber clothing is prone to static electricity, leading to dust and hair adsorption, affecting aesthetics and wearing experience. Antistatic silicone oils can effectively solve this problem, keeping clothing clean and tidy at all times.
Representative Products: Polyether-modified silicone oil, silicone oil modified with conductive groups (such as quaternary ammonium salt). Polyether-modified silicone oil forms conductive channels on the fabric surface through its hydrophilicity to release static electricity; modified silicone oils containing conductive groups such as quaternary ammonium salts directly endow fabrics with conductive properties, quickly conducting away static charges.

Defoaming Silicone Oils

Function: Eliminate foam during textile dyeing and finishing processes (such as dyeing, printing, and sizing) to ensure the smooth progress of the process. In large-scale textile production, if a large amount of foam is generated in dyeing vats or printing machines, it will affect the uniform distribution of dyes and the clarity of printing patterns, and even lead to defective products. Defoaming silicone oils can quickly eliminate foam, ensuring the efficiency and stability of the production process.
Representative Products: Methyl silicone oil emulsion, modified polysiloxane defoamers. Methyl silicone oil emulsion has good defoaming properties and stability and is one of the commonly used defoamers; modified polysiloxane defoamers further improve defoaming efficiency and durability through the optimization of molecular structures.

We specialize in the manufacturing and global distribution of premium textile chemicals:

Silicone Series: Amino silicone oils, Block silicone polymers, Hydrophilic silicone fluids, and their corresponding emulsion systems
Performance Enhancers: Wetting & rubbing fastness improvers, Eco-conscious water repellents (Fluorine-free variants, C6, C8 formulations)
Denim Processing Solutions: ABS indigo removal agents, Specialty enzymes, Spandex fiber protectors, Manganese elimination compounds

Global Market Reach: Exported to major textile hubs including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and adjacent regions.

Detailed technical specifications available upon inquiry

Contact Us ：shanghai Vana Biotech Co., Ltd
📍 Address: Room 203, Building 2, No.1588 Huhang Road, Shanghai, China
🌐 Website:www.vanabio.com
📱 WhatsApp: Avery +86 15056351624

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