Cellulosic fiber with hydrophobic properties and high softness and process for production thereof

Abstract

The invention refers to hydrophobic cellulose fibers which are biodegradable, extra soft and water repellent. Nonwovens comprising the inventive cellulosic fibers show also higher softness. Said fibers add bulk, better drape ability and hydrophobicity to nonwoven fabrics which are biodegradable if made only from Cellulosic fibers.

1 . A cellulosic fiber comprising a hydrophobic agent, wherein the fiber has a softness and wherein the softness of the fiber measured by the sledge test is at least 1.3 times higher than a softness of an untreated fiber of the same type. 
     
     
         2 . The cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic fiber is a natural cellulosic fiber. 
     
     
         3 . The cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic fiber is a cellulosic man-made fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the softness of the cellulosic fiber measured by the sledge test is at least 1.8 times higher than the softness of the untreated fiber of the same type. 
     
     
         5 . The cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic agent is an Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD) according to formula (1) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         where R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon groups with between 8 and 40 carbon atoms and which can be both, saturated or unsaturated, straight-chained or branched. 
       
     
     
         6 . The cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic agent is a substituted cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydride. 
     
     
         7 . The cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic fiber contains incorporated materials or is chemically modified. 
     
     
         8 . A nonwoven comprising the cellulosic fiber according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The nonwoven according to  claim 8 , wherein the nonwoven is biodegradable. 
     
     
         10 . The nonwoven according to  claim 8 , wherein the nonwoven is made by a state of the art nonwoven processes. 
     
     
         11 . The nonwoven according to  claim 8 , wherein the nonwoven is blended with cellulosic man-made fibers. 
     
     
         12 . A textile comprising the cellulosic fibers according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A product comprising cellulosic fibers according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A process for producing a cellulosic fiber with hydrophobic properties comprising:
 a) providing a cellulosic fiber with a non-modified surface, and   b) treating the cellulosic fiber with a hydrophobic agent   
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the non-modified surface of the fiber is the surface of a never-dried fiber. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the non-modified surface of the fiber is the surface of unfinished fiber obtained from a finished fiber, where the finish has been removed. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the non-modified surface of the fiber is the surface of a natural fiber and wherein natural surface substances have been removed. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to according to  claim 14 , wherein the hydrophobic agent is an Alkyl Ketene Dimere (AKD) according to formula (1) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         where R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon groups with between 8 and 40 carbon atoms and which can be both, saturated or unsaturated, straight-chained or branched. 
       
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 17 , wherein where natural surface substances are waxes. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the fiber is treated with the hydrophobic agent in a concentration range of % 0.0001% to 10% based on cellulosic fiber.