Fibre Modified By Application Of An Organosiliconate Agent, A Fibre Modifying Agent Comprising An Organosilikonate and A Method of Modifying A Fibre With Said Agent

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fiber modifying method including step (i) of contacting an organosiliconate with fiber and step (ii) of polymerizing the organosiliconate, a modified fiber modified by this method and a fiber modifying agent containing an organosiliconate and water.

1 . A method of modifying fiber, comprising the following steps (i) and (ii):
 (i) contacting an organosiliconate with fiber, and   (ii) polymerizing the organosiliconate.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the organosiliconate is an organosiliconate represented by formula (1):
   R 1   p —Si(OM + ) q (OH) 4pq   (1)   
     wherein R 1  represents a C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl group or a phenyl group, M represents a group capable of forming a monovalent cation, p represents an integer of 1 or 2, and q represents a number in the range of 0.1 to (4−p). 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the organosiliconate comprises a monoalkylsiliconate represented by formula (2) and a dialkylsiliconate represented by the following formula (3):
   R 1 Si(OM + ) n (OH) 3n   (2)     R 1   2 Si(OM + ) m (OH) 2m   (3)   
     wherein R 1  represents a C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl group or a phenyl group, M represents a group capable of forming a monovalent cation, a plurality of R 1  and M may be the same as or different from one another, n is a number of 0.1 to 3, and m is a number of 0.1 to 2. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in step (i), the organosiliconate is contacted in an aqueous solution thereof with fiber. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in step (i), the organosiliconate is contacted with fiber in the presence of a surfactant. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in step (ii), polymerization of the organosiliconate is carried out at 60° C. or more. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises step (iii) of washing the modified fiber after step (ii). 
   
   
       8 . A modified fiber modified by the method according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       9 . The modified fiber according to  claim 8 , wherein the fiber is an organic fiber. 
   
   
       10 . The modified fiber according to  claim 8 , wherein the surface of a single fiber is coated thereon with a polymer of the organosiliconate to a thickness not greater than 1/10 as large as the diameter of the single fiber. 
   
   
       11 . The modified fiber according to  claim 8 , wherein a polymer of the organosiliconate is contained in the inside of the single fiber. 
   
   
       12 . A fiber-modifying agent comprising an organosiliconate. 
   
   
       13 . The fiber-modifying agent according to  claim 12 , which further comprises a surfactant.