TEXTENS cross-linking agents for textile fibers

A strong expertise in trimerization processes

Over the years SEQENS Advanced Specialties acquired a strong expertise in trimerization processes. Triazines manufacturing processes have been optimized to be strongly repeatable, safe and cost effective thanks to automatization, good process control and raw materials recycling.

Trimerization enables the preparation of a wide range of 6 atoms aromatics heterocycles where 3 carbons have been replaced by 3 nitrogens also called triazines.

Trimerization is taking place in acidic conditions where a formaldehyde derivative is reacting with a carbonitrile in the presence of a solvent (figure 1).

Another process can also be used to produce chlorinated triazines. Starting from cyanuryle chloride, an oxidation is taking place to replace one or several chlorines by other functional groups such as ketones or amines.

Figure 2 – 2-sodiumhydroxy-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5- triazine

Some triazines such as Hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(1-oxoallyl)-1-3,5-triazine and 2-sodiumhydroxy-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5- triazine (figure 2) have been identified to be used as cross-linking agents for textile fibers.

In this context, SEQENS offers a range of cross-linking agents, TEXTENS, enabling the reduction of textile fibers’ fibrillation. Reducing fibrillation / pilling tendency of textile fibers provide high wet abrasion resistance and strengthens the dye fixation by modifying pore structure of the fiber (figure 3).

Figure 3 – TEXTENS TA 135 cross-linking process with textile fiber

TEXTENS cross-linking agents’ properties

Cross-link with fibers under alkaline conditions before or after the dyeing process
Maintain the good physical properties of the fiber together with a good dye affinity
Fabrics made from this modified fiber can be processed on most dyeing machines
Give to fabrics made from this modified fiber a good performance in subsequent washing
The cross-linked fiber has an enhanced dye uptake that gives more economical dyestuff costs and deep coloration
Less unfixed color remains to be removed, both reducing the water consumption in washing off and the color loading in the dye house effluent

Source: Book Regenerated Cellulose Fibres, edited by Calvin Woodings

Our TEXTENS range

Hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(1-oxoallyl)-1,3,5-triazine as TEXTENS TA 135 is specifically dedicated to LYOCELL fiber. It can also be used for other applications such as paper strengthening agent and component in the formulation of solder resist inks.

2-sodiumhydroxy-4,6-dichloro-1,3,5- triazine as TEXTENS GM 192 is generally used for cellulosic fiber as well as for gelatin hardening in the photographic industry.

Our TEXTENS ingredients are manufactured in France at Ecovadis Gold Certified production sites and are available at the highest levels of purity and low insoluble residues.

Our expertise in the manufacturing of advanced specialty ingredients goes beyond the TEXTENS range. Key organic synthesis reactions such as Friedel Craft, Organometallic & coupling reactions, esterification, hydrogenation, halogenation, polymerization and phosphonation are performed in routine in our plants and can be made available for the quality manufacturing of your strategic ingredients. A resilient supply chain, regulatory expertise, process safety management, analytical methods development and validation complete SEQENS’ personalized offer.

Find out how SEQENS Advanced Specialties and our TEXTENS range can make you succeed.