Substrates having reversibly adaptable surface energy properties and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to substrates that exhibit useful, auto adaptable surface energy properties that depend on the environment of the substrate. Such surface energy properties provide relatively high advancing and receding contact angles for liquids when in contact with the target substrate surface. The substrates exhibit low surface energy quantities of at most about 20 millijoules per square meter (mJ/m 2 ) at a temperature of about 25 degrees C. and a surface energy greater than about 20 mJ/m 2 at, or with exposure to, a temperature of about 40 degrees C. More specifically, encompassed within the present invention are textile substrates having this highly desirable unique surface energy modification property and which exhibit wash durable oil and water repellency and stain release features. Novel compositions and formulations that impart such surface energy modifications to substrates are also encompassed within this invention, as well as methods for producing such treated substrates.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A composition for imparting durable repellency and stain release to a substrate, said composition comprising the resultant product of at least one hydrophilic stain release agent, at least one hydrophobic stain repellency agent cross-linked by at least one hydrophobic cross-linking agent.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration ratio of said at least one hydrophobic stain repellency agent:said at least one hydrophilic stain release agent:said at least one hydrophobic cross-linking agent is in the range of from about 10:1:0.1 to about 1:10:5 parts by weight.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the concentration ratio is in the range of from about 5:1:0.1 to about 1:5:2 parts by weight.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the concentration ratio is about 1:2:1 parts by weight.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one hydrophilic stain release agent is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated polyesters, sulfonated polyesters, ethoxylated nylon, carboxylated acrylics, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride polymers, polyvinylalcohol polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, hydrophilic fluorinated stain release polymers, ethoxylated silicone polymers, polyoxyethylene polymers, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one hydrophilic stain release agent is a hydrophilic fluorinated stain release polymer.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one hydrophobic stain repellency agent is selected from the group consisting of waxes, silicones, hydrophobic resins, fluoropolymers, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one hydrophobic stain repellency agent is a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said hydrophobic cross-linking agent is selected from the group consisting of monomers containing blocked isocyanates, monomers containing blocked diisocyanates, polymers containing blocked isocyanates, polymers containing blocked diisocyanates, epoxy containing compounds, urethanes, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one hydrophobic cross-linking agent is a polymer containing blocked diisocyanates.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said one composition further includes one or more additives selected from the group consisting of durable press resins, catalysts, softeners, defoamers, antimicrobial agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, flame retardants, UV inhibitors, antioxidants, coloring agents, lubricants, antistatic agents, and fragrances, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition imparts antistatic properties to a substrate.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition imparts anticling properties to a substrate.  
     
     
         14 . A composition for altering the surface energy of a substrate in response to a change in the substrate's environment, said composition comprising: a high surface energy component, a low surface energy component, and a hydrophobic cross-linking component.  
     
     
         15 . A fabric surface treatment composition comprising at least one fluorinated polymer component, wherein said composition imparts repellency and stain release properties to a test polyester fabric substrate, wherein said test polyester fabric substrate has an average denier in the range from less than about 1 denier and about 2000 denier, wherein said treated test fabric exhibits the following repellency and stain release properties: 
 (a) an oil repellency rating of at least 3.0 when tested by AATCC Test Method 118-2000;    (b) a water repellency rating of at least 3.0 when tested by the 3M Water Repellency Test II (May, 1992);    (c) a spray rating of at least 50 when tested by AATCC Test Method 22-2000; and    (d) a stain release rating for corn oil and mineral oil of at least 3.0 when tested by AATCC Test Method 130-2000;    wherein said properties are exhibited after said test fabric has been laundered and dried in accordance with AATCC Test Method 130-2000 after 20 washes.    
     
     
         16 . A fabric surface treatment composition comprising at least one fluorinated polymer component, wherein said composition imparts repellency and stain release properties to a test cotton fabric substrate, wherein said test cotton fabric substrate has an average denier of in the range from less than about 1 denier and about 2000 denier, wherein said treated test fabric exhibits the following repellency and stain release properties: 
 (a) an oil repellency rating of at least 4.0 when tested by AATCC Test Method 118-2000;    (b) a water repellency rating of at least 4.0 when tested by the 3M Water Repellency Test II (May, 1992);    (c) a spray rating of at least 70 when tested by AATCC Test Method 22-2000; and    (d) a stain release rating for corn oil and mineral oil of at least 3.5 when tested by AATCC Test Method 130-2000;    wherein said properties are exhibited after said test fabric has been laundered and dried in accordance with AATCC Test Method 130-2000 after 20 washes.    
     
     
         17 . A substrate treated with the composition as defined in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         18 . The substrate of  claim 17 , wherein said substrate is comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of glass, fiberglass, metal, film, paper, plastic, stone, brick, textile, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The substrate of  claim 18 , wherein said substrate is a textile.  
     
     
         20 . The textile substrate of  claim 19 , wherein said textile is selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, man-made fiber using natural constituents, inorganic fibers, glass fibers, and any blends thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The textile substrate of  claim 20 , wherein said textile is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, acrylic, acetate, wool, polyaramid, polyamide, polyester, silk, and any blends thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The substrate of  claim 15 , wherein said substrate is comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of glass, fiberglass, metal, film, paper, plastic, stone, brick, textile, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The substrate of  claim 22  wherein said substrate is a textile.  
     
     
         24 . The textile substrate of  claim 23  wherein said textile is selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, inorganic fibers, glass fibers, and any blends thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The textile substrate of  claim 24  wherein said textile is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, ramie, acetate, wool, polyaramid, polyamide, polyester, and any blends thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The substrate of  claim 16 , wherein said substrate is comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of glass, fiberglass, metal, film, paper, plastic, stone, brick, textile, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The substrate of  claim 26  wherein said substrate is a textile.  
     
     
         28 . The textile substrate of  claim 27  wherein said textile is selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, inorganic fibers, glass fibers, and any blends thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The textile substrate of  claim 28  wherein said textile is comprised of fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, ramie, acetate, wool, polyaramid, polyamide, polyester, and any blends thereof.