{"id":56119,"date":"2026-09-28T10:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T08:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.composites-united.com\/?p=56119"},"modified":"2026-09-28T10:30:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T08:30:56","slug":"an-eco-friendly-alternative-to-fluorocarbon-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.composites-united.com\/en\/an-eco-friendly-alternative-to-fluorocarbon-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"An eco-friendly alternative to fluorocarbon treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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New dispersions are kinder to the environment <\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oilrepellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecularweight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive textiles, researchers at the S\u00e4chsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research have developed liquid-applied dispersions and solutions to functionalise textiles without the use of fluorine. The outdoor textiles tested exhibited water-repellent and, in particular, highly oil-repellent properties. The new dispersions and solutions can help reduce the burden on ecosystems. <\/strong><\/p>

Fluorocarbons impart an exceptional property to textiles such as fire-fighter\u2019s clothing, weatherproof jackets or surgical gowns: they repel water, oil and dirt, meaning they are both hydrophobic and oleophobic. Due to their extreme persistence and toxicity to humans and the environment, their continued use must be called into question. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as \u2018forever chemicals\u2019, are virtually non-biodegradable and are increasingly accumulating in the environment. For this reason, their use is regulated by the European REACH Regulation, and the aim is to impose severe restrictions on their use. The textile industry is also significantly affected by this. Until now, it has not been possible to develop highperformance fluorine-free products, particularly those with oil-repellent properties. In the IGF project \u2018C6C8 turn green\u2019, textile researchers from the STFI in Chemnitz and chemists at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research in Dresden have now developed an environmentally friendly alternative to fluorocarbon finishing.<\/p>

The project focused on the use of POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes) and TRIS compounds ([Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl]) to achieve water and oil-repellent effect. Copolymer systems consisting of tertbutyl methacrylate (TBMA) and methacrylate-functionalised POSS (POS-SMA) and TRIS (TRISMA) were specifically synthesised. For the textile finishing, aqueous dispersions of the copolymer systems were produced using mini-emulsion polymerisation. Functionalisation of the textiles began with the application of an adhesion-promoting polyamine finish comprising cross-linking agent-containing aqueous polyvinylamine or chitosan formulations. In a second process step, the textiles were functionalised with the copolymer dispersion. Application was carried out in each case using foulards, followed by thermal drying and cross-linking.<\/p>

To assess the effectiveness, the functionalised cotton fabrics were examined before and after defined washing cycles at a washing temperature of 60 \u00b0C, followed by tumble drying at 70 \u00b0C. The samples achieved a contact angle against water of up to 129\u00b0 before and 112\u00b0 after five wash and dry cycles. With contact angles against ethylene glycol of up to 123\u00b0 (before washing) and 106\u00b0 (after washing), an oleophobic effect was demonstrated.<\/p>

The fundamental benefit of a PFC-free finish lies in reducing the burden on ecosystems. By creating an environmentally friendly alternative, the release of pollutants into the air, water and soil can be reduced. This provides textile manufacturers with a high-performance alternative.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Copolymer composition and photographs of the finished textile with a drop of ethylene glycol. (Source: STFI)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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About STFI<\/strong><\/p>

As a practical partner, the S\u00e4chsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI) has been supporting companies in the development of marketable innovations for over 30 years. With a clear focus on sustainability, digitalisation and the circular economy, STFI offers future-oriented research, reliable textile testing and certification of personal protective equipment for tailor-made solutions that secure tomorrow’s economic success. As a leader in nonwovens and mechanical recycling, we are playing a pioneering role in the transformation of the circular economy for high-performance fibres. Technical woven and knitted fabrics, functionalisation and the digitalisation of textile processes expand the STFI’s technological spectrum. The institute’s technical centres and laboratories are characterised by an extensive portfolio of industrial and semi-industrial scale equipment. We share our knowledge at the STFI Academy with qualification and further training courses along the textile value chain. Since 2006, the STFI has been an affiliated institute of Chemnitz University of Technology. In addition, the STFI is an active member of the German Industrial Research Association Konrad Zuse e.V. and the Saxon Industrial Research Association (SIG).<\/p>

Further information: https:\/\/www.stfi.de<\/a><\/p>

Contact:<\/strong><\/p>

S\u00e4chsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. (STFI)
Annaberger Str. 240 09125 Chemnitz | Germany<\/p>

Kareen Pfab | Public Relations
Tel.: +49 371 5274-197
kareen.pfab@stfi.de<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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New dispersions are kinder to the environment Protective and outdoor clothing derives its durable water-, dirt- and oilrepellent properties from the application of fluorinated polymers or per- and polyfluorinated low-molecularweight chemicals (PFCs). The beneficial properties thus achieved on textiles are offset by environmental and human health risks. For manufacturers of sports, medical, protective and automotive […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":56103,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,171],"tags":[],"main-cat":[144,36,34],"bildung":[],"forschungs-cat":[],"class_list":["post-56119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-info","category-top-news","maincategory-cu","maincategory-cu-bau","maincategory-cu-ost"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t