Functional fiber and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A functional fiber which, over long periods of time, can maintain excellent heat retention and deodorant antibacterial properties without reducing moisture absorption and desorption, and which moreover can be obtained efficiently, and a manufacturing method of said fiber are provided. This functional fiber has a fiber material imparted with an infrared radiation function and a deodorant antibacterial function. A silicone elastomer film that contains aluminum oxide particles with an average particle diameter of 1-10 μm is fixed to at least part of the surface of the fiber material. The silicone elastomer film has polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers of 12-15 carbons as the main component, and has a siloxane backbone.

1 . A functional fiber having a fiber material imparted with an infrared radiation function and a deodorizing and antibacterial function, wherein:
 a silicone elastomer film containing aluminum oxide particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 μm is affixed to at least a portion of a surface of the fiber material; and   the silicone elastomer film contains as a principal component thereof polyoxyethylene alkyl ether having 12 to 15 carbon atoms, and has a siloxane skeleton.   
     
     
         2 . A method of manufacturing a functional fiber having a fiber material imparted with an infrared radiation function and a deodorizing and antibacterial function, comprising the steps of:
 immersing the fiber material in an aqueous dispersion liquid in which there are dispersed silicone elastomer particles containing as a principal component thereof polyoxyethylene alkyl ether having 12 to 15 carbon atoms, and having a siloxane skeleton, and aluminum oxide particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 μm; and   by a heating treatment, affixing to at least a portion of a surface of the fiber material the silicone elastomer in the form of a film in which the silicone elastomer particles are crosslinked, and containing the aluminum oxide particles.