Properties: WETSOFT® NE 580 considerably improves the wear comfort of textiles by improving hand and hydrophilic properties. In comparison to usual siliconbased, hydrophilic softeners WETSOFT® NE 580 shows excellent stability in the presence of alkalinity, salt and high shearing conditions. The hydrophilic properties are the result of the special orientation of WETSOFT® NE 580 on the fiber surface. This allows unrestricted moisture transport within the fabric, together with the excellent hand that is generally associated with high quality silicone textile softeners. Due to the surface oriented silk like and supple softness effect it is particularly suitable for light woven and knit goods where hydrophilic properties are of importance. WETSOFT® NE 580 bonds more strongly to the fiber surface than glycol- and quat-functional polysiloxanes. This leads to better exhaustibility and wash resistance.

Application: WETSOFT® NE 580 is used for hydrophilic treatment of fibers and textiles of all kinds. On hydrophilic substrates such as cellulosics, the hydrophilic properties are not usually affected, whereas hydrophobic substrates such as polyesters usually experience a clear improvement in wetting properties. WETSOFT® NE 580 provides woven goods and knitwear with a silky soft, supple and smooth hand. When applied under normal conditions, WETSOFT® NE 580 only has a slight effect on whiteness. It does not generally affect the color shade or fastness of colored goods. WETSOFT® NE 580 is used for padding, in the exhaust process and can also be used on its own or together with organic fabric softeners, polyethylene waxes and other finishing agents. The compatibility should be tested on a case-by-case basis.

Information provided by Wacker Chemie AG.