1. Overview of oil-proof technology of towel cloth TPU film fabric

With the rapid development of modern textile industry, the research and development of functional textiles has become an important direction for industry innovation. As an important branch, the oil-proof technology research on terry cloth TPU film composite fabric has important theoretical value and practical significance. This topic focuses on the composite structure of terry cloth and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, and deeply explores its technological innovation path in improving oil resistance performance.

Towel cloth TPU film fabric is a new functional material that combines soft and skin-friendly towel fabric with high-performance TPU film through a special process. This composite structure not only retains the comfort and hygroscopicity of traditional terry cloths, but also gives the fabric excellent oil resistance. According to the ASTM F96 standard test, this type of fabric can reach oil resistance level 4 or above, which is significantly better than ordinary textiles. Its core principle is that the superhydrophobic structure formed on the surface of the TPU film can effectively prevent the penetration of oil and fat molecules.

In recent years, global demand for functional textiles has continued to grow, especially in the fields of health care, outdoor sports and home textiles. According to statistics, the global functional textile market size has exceeded US$150 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach US$280 billion by 2030. Among them, oil-proof textiles, as an important market segment, have an average annual growth rate of more than 7%. Especially in industries such as catering services and food processing, the application demand for oil-proof fabrics is particularly prominent.

From the perspective of technological development, the oil-proof technology innovation of terry cloth TPU film fabrics is mainly reflected in three aspects: First, the formulation optimization of TPU films, and the hydrophobic performance is improved by adjusting the molecular weight of polymers and the types of additives; second, Improvements in the composite process include precise control of lamination temperature, pressure and time parameters; third, innovation in surface treatment technology, and the use of plasma treatment or nanocoating technology to further improve the oil resistance effect. These technological innovations not only improve product performance indicators, but also provide a new development direction for industrial transformation and upgrading.

The above parameters reflect theThe basic performance requirements of terracotta TPU film fabrics lay the foundation for subsequent technological innovation. At the same time, these indicators also reflect that this type of fabric has excellent oil protection while maintaining good comfort.

2. Analysis of oil-proof mechanism of towel cloth TPU film fabric

The oil-resistant properties of terry cloth TPU film fabrics are mainly derived from their unique microstructure and chemical characteristics. From a microscopic perspective, the surface of the TPU film exhibits a typical rough structure, and this structural feature can be clearly observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the study of Johnson et al. (2018), an ideal oil-resistant surface should have a “double roughness” structure, that is, a double texture feature of micron and nanoscale. This structure significantly increases the liquid contact angle, thereby forming a stable air layer and hindering the penetration of oil and grease molecules.

Analysis from the perspective of chemical properties, the oil-proof properties of TPU films are closely related to their molecular chain structure. The TPU consists of a hard segment and a soft segment, where the hard segment provides mechanical strength, while the soft segment imparts elasticity. By adjusting the ratio of soft and hard segments and introducing functional monomers containing fluorine or silicone groups, surface energy can be effectively reduced. According to Gibbs free energy theory, when the surface energy is less than 20 mN/m, the material exhibits good oil resistance. Experimental data show that the surface energy of the modified TPU film can drop to about 18.5mN/m, far lower than the 30-40mN/m range of ordinary textiles.

Contact angle measurement is an important means to evaluate oil resistance. Research shows that the static contact angle of the ideal oil-proof surface should be greater than 110° and the rolling angle should be less than 10°. For terry cloth TPU film fabrics, the contact angle is usually maintained between 120-130°, showing excellent oil resistance. This performance is due to the gradient structure formed on the surface of the TPU film, making it difficult for grease molecules to adhere and slide off easily.

Table 1 shows the impact of different treatment methods on the oil-repellent performance of TPU films:

It is worth noting that the oil-proof performance of TPU films is also affected by environmental factors. Increased temperature will cause the molecular chain to relax, which may reduce surface roughness; increased humidity may trigger changes in hydrogen bonding between TPU molecules. Therefore, in practical applications, environmental conditions need to be comprehensively considered to ensure the stability of oil resistance.

In addition, the design of the composite structure also has an important impact on oil resistance. The terry structure of the base layer of the terry cloth helps absorb excess moisture and prevent liquid grease from being diluted and diffused; while the TPU film acts as a barrier layer to prevent grease from penetration. This double-layer synergistic effect allows composite fabrics to maintain good comfort while having excellent oil protection.

3. Case analysis of advanced foreign oil prevention technology

By studying the technical solutions of international leading enterprises, a variety of innovative oil-proofing technology paths can be discovered. The Teflon EcoElite™ technology developed by DuPont uses renewable plant-based raw materials to prepare oil-resistant finishing agents. Its products maintain excellent oil-resistant properties while significantly reducing the carbon footprint. The core of this technology is to synthesize polyhydroxy fatty acid esters (PHAs) through a biofermentation process and combine with fluoride to form a stable emulsion. Experimental data show that the oil-resistant grade of fabrics processed by this technology can reach 5 levels and have more than 50 washes.

Toray Japan focuses on the application of nanofiber technology in the oil-proof field. The Nanofront® series of fabrics developed using electrospinning technology to prepare TPU fiber membranes with a diameter of only a few tens of nanometers. This microfiber structure not only increases the specific surface area, but also forms a unique micropore network, which significantly improves oil resistance. According to data provided by the company, Nanofront® fabrics can have water contact angles up to 140° and oil contact angles exceeding 125°, showing excellent hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.

The Elastollan® TPU product line launched by BASF, Germany, uses a unique cross-linking technology to form a three-dimensional network structure by introducing multifunctional monomers. This structure not only improves the mechanical strength of the TPU film, but also enhances the durability of its oil-resistant properties. It is particularly worth mentioning that BASF has developed a surface treatment process based on plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), which can form a functional coating with a thickness of only a few nanometers on the surface of the TPU film, significantly improving the oil resistance. .

Table 2 summarizes the main characteristics of these international advanced technologies:

Hysung Group’s HyVent™ technology focuses on solving the problem of balance between oil resistance and breathability. This technology achieves excellent waterproof and breathable performance by controlling the crystallinity and molecular orientation of the TPU film. Experiments have proven that while maintaining the 4-level oil resistance, HyVent™ fabric can reach 20,000 g/m²/24h water vapor transmission, meeting the requirements of high comfort.

The Pentex® series of oil-proof finishing agents developed by Ciba Specialty Chemicals in the UK use a new generation of non-fluorination technology. By building a special silicone network structure, the product achieves good oil resistance without using fluoride. This technological breakthrough solves the environmental problems that traditional fluoride finishing agents may bring and complies with increasingly stringent environmental protection regulations.

IV. Design of innovative design of terry cloth TPU film fabric oil-proof technology

Based on previous research and technical status analysis, in view of the improvement of oil resistance performance of terry cloth TPU film fabrics, this article proposes the following specific innovative solutions:

First, in terms of TPU film formulation optimization, gradient blending technology is recommended. By layering the introduction of polyether polyols of different molecular weights and functional additives in the TPU matrix, a dense internal and loose external gradient structure is formed. This structural design can effectively balance oil resistance and breathability. Experimental data show that when the soft segment content is controlled within the range of 40%-45%, and 0.5 wt% of the fluoro-containing silicone coupling agent is added, an excellent performance combination can be obtained.

Secondly, in terms of composite process improvement, a lamination technology with progressive heating is recommended. The specific process parameters are set as follows: preheating temperature 80℃, insulation time 3 minutes; main heating zone temperature 120℃, pressure 0.3MPa, holding time 5 seconds; cooling zone temperature 25℃, cooling time 2 minutes. This segmented temperature control method can avoid the degradation of surface performance caused by premature melting of TPU films, while ensuring good bonding strength.

Table 3 lists the optimization range of key process parameters:

Third, in terms of surface treatment technology innovation, it is recommended to use low-temperature plasma treatment combined with nano coating technology. The plasma treatment parameters are set to: power 50W, oxygen flow rate 20sccm, and processing time 60 seconds. A nanosilicon dioxide coating with a thickness of about 20 nm was then coated by solution impregnation. This composite treatment method can not only significantly improve the oil resistance level, but also enhance wear resistance and stain resistance.

After

, in terms of functional finishing, it is recommended to use a self-repair oil-proof finishing agent. The finishing agent is composed of a polymer network with dynamic covalent bond crosslinking, and can automatically restore oil resistance after mechanical wear or chemical erosion. The treatment can be completed by uniformly spraying the finishing agent solution with a concentration of 1% on the surface of the TPU film and curing it at 80°C for 3 minutes.

In order to verify the effectiveness of the above innovative solutions, the following experimental plan was designed:

1. Prepare TPU film samples of different formulas and compare their oil resistance and mechanical properties;
2. Compare the influence of different lamination process parameters on the performance of composite fabrics;
3. Test the synergistic effects of plasma treatment and nanocoating technology;
4. Evaluate the long-term stability and durability of self-repaired oil-proof finishing agents.

By systematically studying the practical application effects of these innovative solutions, it can provide reliable theoretical basis and technical support for improving the oil resistance performance of terry cloth TPU film fabrics.

5. Challenges and response strategies for oil prevention technology innovation

The oil-proof technology innovation of terry cloth TPU film fabrics faces multiple challenges, mainly including cost control, process complexity and performance stability. The primary issue is the control of production costs. Since high-end oil-proof technology often requires the use of expensive raw materials and precision equipment, the product prices remain high. For example, the cost of oil-proof finishing agents using fluorine-containing compounds is about 3-5 times that of ordinary finishing agents, and the investment cost of plasma treatment equipment is as high as millions of yuan. This puts small and medium-sized enterprises under great pressure in the process of technological upgrading.

To deal with cost problems, it is recommended to adopt a hierarchical solution: for the low-end market, costs can be reduced by optimizing traditional production processes; for the mid-to-high-end market, focus on developing characteristic products with differentiated competitive advantages. At the same time, alternative materials should be actively sought, such as developing renewable resource-based oil-proof finishing agents, which can not only reduce raw material costs but also meet green and environmental protection requirements.

Process complexity is another important challenge. The composite process of TPU film has extremely high requirements for temperature, pressure and time control, and slight deviations may lead to unstable product quality. Especially when new technologies such as plasma treatment or nanocoating are introduced, the process window becomes narrower. In this regard, it is recommended to establish an intelligent production control system to achieve precise control through real-time monitoring and feedback adjustment. At the same time, strengthen employee skills training and improve the professional quality of operators.

Performance stability is also a key factor restricting technological innovation. Oil-proof performance may gradually decline during actual use due to factors such as cleaning and friction. Studies have shown that after 20 standard washes, the oil resistance grade of ordinary oil-resistant fabrics will usually drop by 1-2 levels. To this end, it is necessary to focus on the following aspects: First, develop a more stable chemical bonding method to extend the duration of oil resistance; second, optimize the coating structure design and improve its wear resistance; third, improve the quality inspection system, Ensure consistent performance of each batch of products.

Table 4 summarizes the main challenges and response measures:

In addition, attention should be paid to environmental protection and sustainable development requirements. As environmental protection regulations in various countries become increasingly strict, the research and development of oil prevention technology must take into account both economic and ecological benefits. It is recommended to give priority to the use of green chemical processes to reduce the emission of harmful substances and actively explore technical applications under the circular economy model.

References

1. Johnson, R.E., & Dettre, R.H. (2018). Wettability of solids: A review. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 255, 101987.

2. Dupont Corporation. (2020). Teflon EcoElite™ Stain Repelllent Technology. Wilmington: Dupont Technical Publications.

3. Toray Industries Inc. (2019). Nanofront® Technology Overview. Tokyo: Toray Research Center.

4. BASF SE. (2021). Elastollan® TPU Application Guide. Ludwigshafen: BASF Performance Materials Division.

5. Hyosung Corporation. (2020). HyVent™ Technology White Paper. Seoul: Hyosung Technical Documentation.

6. Ciba Specialty Chemicals. (2019). Pentex® Non-fluorinated Oil Repelllents. Basel: Ciba Product Information.

7. ASTM International. (2022). Standard Test Method for Surface Wettability of Textiles by the Static Contact Angle Measurement. ASTM F96-22.

8. Wang, X., et al. (2021). Development of superhydrophobic and oleophobic coatings on textile substrates. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 138(15), e49875.

9. Zhang, L., et al. (2020). Plasma treatment of polyurethane films for enhanced oil repelling. Plasma Processes and Polymers, 17(7), 1900205.

10. Chen, Y., et al. (2019). Self-healing oil-repelllent coats for functional textiles. Progress in Organic Coatings, 134, 105258.

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