What is the use of microcapsule technology in the textile field?

Microcapsule technology is widely used in many industries such as food, medicine, pesticide, textile, daily chemicals, etc. It is made by embedding solid, liquid or gaseous active substances in a microcapsule in a special way. The solid particles are designed to isolate the active ingredient from the surrounding environment.

The preparation of the microcapsules is mainly achieved by a microencapsulation process, that is, the material to be coated is first refined into a particle size and a minute solid particle or droplet thereof, and then a film is used as a core, and a film is formed by a special method. The polymer of the performance is deposited on its surface to form a seamless film, which is finally obtained by separation, drying and the like.

In recent years, new technologies for microcapsules in the field of textiles have emerged, such as microcapsule fabric softeners and detergents; thermochromic dyes using microcapsules, photochromic dyes can be used to make color-changing fabrics and sensor fibers; Special microcapsules for high-tech smart textiles such as self-cleaning and self-healing materials.

Application of microcapsules in dyeing printing

Microcapsule dyeing

The core of microcapsule dyeing technology is to make the microcapsules as the core material. When dyeing, the dye microcapsules can be directly put into the dyebath, and the dyes are dyed, dyed and the difference in the concentration of the dyes in the dyebath, so that the dyes are continuously released, adsorbed and Dye the fibers and finish the dyeing.

Microcapsule printing

Microcapsule printing is a new printing method that uses the microencapsulated dye to obtain the special printing effect of colored particles on the fabric. Based on the traditional printing process, researchers have developed a variety of microcapsule printing processes using microcapsule materials. Such as multi-color particle printing, microcapsule transfer printing, microcapsule foam printing, fragrance printing, electrostatic printing and so on.

The use of microcapsule technology for dyeing printing, less pollution, even without post-printing water washing, processing is simple, is one of the development direction of ecological dyeing and finishing.

Application of microcapsules in general finishing of fabrics

General microcapsule finishing includes the softness, wrinkle resistance, water and oil repellent finishing of the fabric. At present, many softeners, anti-wrinkle finishing agents, water- and oil-repellent finishing agents are mostly emulsifiers, and the dispersion stability is not high. It is often caused by the addition of other components to break or precipitate, and if they are made into microcapsules It can improve the dispersion stability and the compatibility of each component, and improve the finishing effect.

Application of microcapsules in functional finishing of fabrics

Aromatic finishing

The microcapsule aroma finishing of the fabric is to use the fragrance as the core of the capsule, and the core material is isolated from the external environment, so that its properties are basically unchanged. At the beginning, the fragrance of the outer layer of the microcapsules emits a fragrance. During the wearing process, due to the external force such as friction and heat, the fragrance inside the microcapsule slowly releases the fragrance, thereby exerting a long-lasting effect, thereby making the textile quite equivalent. Long lasting aroma. Chuanhua Zhilian has launched a silky towel.

Antibacterial, anti-mosquito finishing

Microcapsule antibacterial functional finishing technology is one of the main methods for treating fabrics with natural antibacterial agents. For example, Japan Bell Textile Co., Ltd. encapsulates mugwort extract and cypress extract into microcapsules, and processes underwear and sweatshirts. Washability. In general, the release rate of the microcapsule antimicrobial agent can be controlled by changing the composition and thickness of the wall material to extend the durability. In the same way, the micro-capsule technology is used to coat the volatile mosquito repellent liquid, and the fabric is finished to achieve the effect of long-term slow release mosquito repellent.

Heat storage and temperature regulation

Microencapsulated phase change materials use microcapsule technology to encapsulate phase change materials, such as paraffinic hydrocarbons, in wall materials, containing phase change materials on textile surfaces or fibers, and undergoing solid-liquid reversible phase change in case of cold or heat. The energy is released to have a temperature adjustment function. Compared with traditional phase change materials, phase change microcapsules have small particle size, large specific surface area and better heat transfer.

Color changing textile finishing

A color-changing textile refers to a textile that exhibits different colors depending on external stimuli (such as light, heat, electricity, magnetism, etc.). The color-changing materials used in textiles are mainly photochromic and thermochromic materials. The micro-encapsulation treatment of the reversible thermo- or photochromic compound is carried out, and the photochromic microcapsules are arranged on the fabric by padding and coating methods, thereby realizing the light and heat stimulation of the fabric. Inverted color.

In addition, microcapsule technology can be used to design special protective textiles for military personnel to enhance protection in chemical warfare. If a special agent is coated in a microcapsule and finished on a fabric or garment, the toxic chemicals can be purified or neutralized, thereby protecting the wearer from toxic chemicals.

Problems with microcapsule technology

Although microcapsule technology has shown great application value in the textile field, the products that are actually used for commercialization are still rare. There are still many theoretical and practical problems that need to be studied and solved in depth, such as perfecting microcapsules. The system and method of performance reduce the cost of the microcapsule capsule and maintain its excellent performance, control the size of the microcapsule, improve the binding ability of the microcapsule to the fabric and the fiber, and prolong the service life of the microcapsule.