Polyethylene Emulsions
Polyethylene emulsions are finishing agents that leave a thin, wax-like film on the fabric surface. What they are after is surface slip and sewing performance rather than softness in the hand, which is why most recipes run them alongside a silicone instead of in place of one.
What is a polyethylene emulsion for?
A polyethylene emulsion leaves a thin, wax-like layer on the fabric surface. That layer lowers the friction of the fibre surface, and it shows up most clearly in the sewing room: the needle enters the cloth more easily, runs cooler, and needle cutting and seam pucker fall back.
The second effect is surface durability. With friction reduced, the face of the cloth resists abrasion a little better and tear strength figures usually move up. The contribution is sought after on resin-finished cottons in particular, because resin finishing costs strength.
How does it differ from a silicone?
Both give surface slip, but they are not interchangeable.
|
|
Polyethylene emulsion |
Silicone softener |
|---|---|---|
|
Handle |
Slippery, slightly waxy, little fullness |
Soft and fluid |
|
Yellowing |
Low |
A real risk with amino grades |
|
Spotting behaviour |
No silicone spotting |
Silicone spotting if the emulsion breaks |
|
Fit with resin finishing |
Commonly run together |
Trialled system by system |
A polyethylene emulsion complements a silicone rather than replacing it. Slip and the strength contribution come from the polyethylene; softness in the hand comes from the silicone.
Where and how is it applied?
Its natural place is the pad-stenter line. Liquor concentration and pick-up together set how much reaches the cloth, so the recipe is re-validated whenever the padder changes. It is also added to the same liquor as a resin, crease-resist or water-repellent finish.
The emulsion may be formulated nonionic or anionic; compatibility is trialled before it shares a bath with cationic auxiliaries. Application figures for Derin Kimya products are given on the product pages: pending from the client.
Why is it run with a resin finish?
A crease-resist finish builds bridges between cellulose chains. The cloth gains resistance to creasing, but those same bridges restrict how the fibre flexes, so tear and abrasion figures drop. A polyethylene emulsion gives part of that loss back by lowering surface friction.
The two usually work in the same pad liquor. The order of addition and the dilution are trialled beforehand together with the catalyst; incompatibility normally shows up as deposits in the trough.
Where is it used in denim and wovens?
In denim a polyethylene emulsion is wanted for the cutting and sewing steps, since needle heating is a real problem on heavy, densely woven cloth. On cotton gabardine and workwear fabrics it enters the recipe for its contribution to abrasion resistance.
In both cases running it with a silicone lets the handle and the slip be set separately. Asking one product to deliver both effects usually pushes the dosage higher than it needs to be.
What to watch in storage
A polyethylene emulsion separates on freezing and in excessive heat. Separated product shows a wax layer on top; stirring will not bring it back, and it marks the cloth. Drums are stirred before dosing, because material settled at the bottom does not reach the liquor evenly.
Product comparison
Comparison
| Product | Description | Active content | Particle size | Application method | Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK FINISH PE | Polyethylene emulsion | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK FINISH PE 40 | Polyethylene emulsion | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
Products
- DK FINISH PE
Polyethylene emulsion that leaves a waxy film on the fabric and reduces needle cutting and seam pucker.
- DK FINISH PE 40
High-solids polyethylene emulsion that supports tear and abrasion figures alongside a resin finish.
Common questions
Can a polyethylene emulsion replace a softener?
It can where the handle requirement is modest, but what it gives is waxy slip rather than the fluid softness of a silicone. Where softness is a measured line in the specification, the recipe is built with a silicone as well.
Does it cost absorbency?
Yes, since it leaves a water-repellent film on the surface. On towelling, sportswear and anything where absorbency is measured, either the dosage is capped or a hydrophilic auxiliary is run with it, and the result is confirmed by drop test.
Does it build up on stenter rollers?
Build-up can appear as the dosage rises and as oven temperature goes above the melting range. Routine roller cleaning, plus setting the dosage by a stepped trial, closes most of that complaint.
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Not finding what you need?
We develop custom formulations. Tell us your process, machine type and the result you are after, and the lab will set up a trial and send a sample.