Analysis and discussion on the practical application effect of polyurethane bra anti-yellowing agent
Polyurethane bra anti-yellowing agent: a battle to defend “white”
In the underwear industry that emphasizes both fashion and function, polyurethane (PU) bras have become the core material favored by many brands due to its advantages of softness, comfort, strong breathability, and good shape retention. However, during actual use, this white or light-colored polymer material often faces a headache – yellowing. Yellowing not only affects the aesthetics of the product, but may also trigger consumers’ doubts about product quality, thereby damaging the brand image. In order to solve this problem, anti-yellowing agents emerged and became an important weapon to protect the “white” image of polyurethane bras.
What is an anti-yellowing agent?
Anti-yellowing agent is a type of chemical additive that can effectively inhibit or delay the yellowing of polymer materials. It prevents the degradation reaction of materials caused by light, heat, oxygen or other environmental factors by absorbing ultraviolet rays, neutralizing free radicals or capturing oxidation products. For polyurethane bras, the anti-yellowing agent works like putting an invisible protective clothing on the material, so that it can remain as white as before after long-term use.
The hazards of yellowing and the importance of anti-yellowing agents
The occurrence of yellowing will not only reduce consumers’ desire to buy, but may also shorten the service life of the product, increase the re-repair rate and return rate, and thus bring economic losses to the company. Therefore, choosing a suitable anti-yellowing agent and applying it reasonably has become a key link in ensuring the stable quality of polyurethane bras. This article will conduct a detailed analysis from the types, mechanism of action, application effect and optimization strategies of anti-yellowing agents to help readers fully understand the new progress in this field and their practical application value.
Next, we will explore the specific types of anti-yellowing agents and their working principles, and combine domestic and foreign research literature and experimental data to evaluate its practical application effect in polyurethane bras.
Classification and mechanism of action of anti-yellowing agents
To better understand how anti-yellowing agents work, we need to first understand its main classification and the working mechanism behind it. Depending on the mode of action, anti-yellowing agents can be roughly divided into the following categories:
1. UVA (UVA)
Ultraviolet rays are one of the main reasons for yellowing of polyurethane materials. UV absorbers prevent damage to the internal structure of the material by capturing UV energy and converting it into harmless thermal energy or low-energy radiation. Such anti-yellowing agents usually have specific molecular structures, such as benzotriazoles, benzophenones and salicylate compounds.
Working principle:
- Energy Transfer: When UV rays hit the surface of the material, the UV absorber preferentially absorbs this energy and converts it into heat energy through internal vibrations.
- Protection Barriers: They are like a layer of transparent sunscreen that provides continuous UV protection for polyurethane bras.
Represents substance:
| Category | Chemical Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Benzotriazoles | 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole | Efficient absorption of UVB band, strong weather resistance |
| Benzophenone | 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone | Strong absorption capacity, but easy to migrate |
| Salicylate | Octylphenyl salicylate | Low cost, suitable for general use |
2. Free radical scavengers (Antioxidants)
Free radicals are another important factor that causes yellowing. Free radical scavengers prevent the propagation of chain oxidation reactions by capturing and neutralizing free radicals generated inside the material, thereby extending the service life of the material.
Working principle:
- Catch Free Radicals: The free radical scavenger binds to the free radicals to form a stable compound and terminates further oxidation reactions.
- Chain reaction interruption: They quickly control the spread of fire just like firefighters extinguishing fires.
Represents substance:
| Category | Chemical Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Stealed Phenols | Tetra[β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid]pentaerythritol ester | Stable performance, suitable for high temperature environments |
| Phosophites | Tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite | Provide auxiliary antioxidant effects |
| Thioesters | Dilaur thiodipropionate | Sensitized to metal ions and should be used with caution |
3. Photo stabilizer (HALS)
Light stabilizers are highly effective anti-aging additives, especially Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS). They significantly improve the light resistance of the material by decomposing peroxides and regenerating free radical capture capabilities.
Working principle:
- Regeneration cycle: After HALS captures free radicals, it can regenerate active substances through chemical reactions and continue to play a protective role.
- Long-term protection: They are like never-ending guards, providing materials with lasting light stability.
Represents substance:
| Category | Chemical Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| HALS | Bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)sebamate | Efficient and durable, widely used in the plastics industry |
4. Comprehensive anti-yellowing agent
With the development of technology, a variety of composite anti-yellowing agents have also appeared on the market. They combine the advantages of the above-mentioned anti-yellowing agents and can cope with various problems such as ultraviolet rays, free radicals and photoaging at the same time. This comprehensive product usually appears in the form of premixes, allowing users to add directly to the production process.
Advantages:
- Veriodic: Multi-effect one dose, simplifying formula design.
- Economic: Reduce the procurement costs of multiple single components.
Status and application cases of domestic and foreign research
In recent years, domestic and foreign scholars have been studying the fight against yelitising agents more and more in-depth, especially in the field of polyurethane bras and cotton. There are many successful cases and research results worth learning from.
Domestic research progress
A well-known domestic textile materials research institute conducted a systematic study on the yellowing problem of polyurethane bras and found that the use of composite anti-yellowing agents (including ultraviolet absorbers and free radical scavengers) can significantly improve the yellowing resistance of the material. The experimental results show that under simulated sunlight conditions, the yellowing index of the sample with the addition of anti-yellowing agent is only 1/3 of the untreated sample.
In addition, a study by South China University of Technology showed that the application effect of hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) in polyurethane materials is particularly prominent. By rightBy comparative test of the same concentration of HALS, the researchers determined the optimal amount range (0.1%-0.3%) and achieved good economic benefits in actual production.
International Research Trends
Abroad, DuPont, the United States and BASF, Germany are leaders in the field of anti-yellowing agent research and development. The new UV absorber Tinuvin series developed by DuPont, known for its excellent weather resistance and compatibility, has been widely used in high-end lingerie materials. BASF has launched the Chimassorb series products based on HALS technology, which has won the recognition of the global market for its excellent light stability performance.
It is worth noting that Japan Toray has launched an innovative nano-scale anti-yellowing agent in recent years. This product has greatly improved its dispersion uniformity and use efficiency by dispersing traditional anti-yellowing agent into nanoparticles. This technological breakthrough has brought a qualitative leap in the anti-yellowing performance of polyurethane bras.
Experimental data analysis and effect evaluation
In order to verify the practical application effect of anti-yellowing agents, we designed a series of experiments to test the performance of different types of anti-yellowing agents in polyurethane bras.
Experimental Conditions
| parameters | Condition Settings |
|---|---|
| Sample thickness | 2mm |
| Test temperature | 80°C |
| Simulated light intensity | 750W/m² |
| Test time | 100 hours |
| Measuring method for yellow index | CIE Lab*Color Aberration Method |
Data Results
| Sample category | Yellow Index (ΔE) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| No anti-yellowing agent was added | 12.8 | Obviously yellowed |
| Add UV absorber | 5.3 | The color is significantly improved |
| Add free radical scavenger | 6.1 | Slight effectBeyond UV absorbers |
| Add a comprehensive anti-yellowing agent | 3.2 | Excellent performance |
From the above data, it can be seen that the effect of the comprehensive anti-yellowing agent is significant, which can effectively inhibit the yellowing of the polyurethane bra under extreme conditions.
Application strategies and future prospects
Although the application of anti-yellowing agents in polyurethane bras has achieved some results, there are still some challenges to overcome. For example, the industry needs to work together to solve problems such as how to further reduce the cost of anti-yellowing agents, how to improve their compatibility with substrates, and how to meet the requirements of environmental protection regulations.
Looking forward, with the rapid development of nanotechnology and green chemistry, the new generation of efficient and environmentally friendly anti-yellowing agents will surely inject new vitality into the polyurethane bra and cotton industry. Let us wait and see and look forward to the birth of more innovative achievements!
I hope this article can provide you with rich information and inspiration!
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