In the textile industry, silicone softeners have become important additives for improving fabric quality due to their unique properties and wide application areas. These softeners can not only give fabrics a soft and smooth feel, but also enhance their gloss, wear resistance, elasticity, and have anti-fouling and anti-wrinkle properties. The following are some commonly used silicone softeners in the textile industry:

1. Inactive silicone softeners
Inactive silicone softeners are represented by dimethyl silicone oil (DMPS), which can give fabrics softness and heat resistance. However, due to its low degree of polymerization, it cannot react chemically with the fiber, and the finished fabrics perform poorly in terms of feel, fastness and elasticity. Therefore, this type of softener often needs to be made into an emulsion before use to increase its washability.

2. Active silicone softeners
Active silicone softeners introduce hydroxyl groups (-OH) at both ends of linear dimethyl polysiloxane to make it hydrophilic. This type of softener can be used alone or cross-linked with other silicones to form a water-insoluble molecular film on the fiber, giving the fabric waterproof and washable properties. As the second generation of silicone softeners, active silicone softeners have a wide variety of products that can be selected according to the type of fabric.

3. Modified silicone softeners
Modified silicone softeners give fabrics special functions such as antistatic, anti-oil and hydrophilicity by introducing other active groups on the silicone molecular chain. This type of softener can not only improve the performance of fabrics, but also make chemical fiber fabrics have the advantages of natural fabrics.

Amino modified silicone softener: Improve the elasticity, washability and mechanical properties of fabrics, give fabrics a soft, smooth and plump feel, and have certain anti-wrinkle and anti-shrinkage effects.

Epoxy modified silicone softener: Utilize the high activity of epoxy groups to cross-link with hydroxyl, amino and other groups on the fiber surface to form stable chemical bonds, and the treated fabrics have good durability and softness.

Polyether modified silicone softener: By introducing water-soluble unsaturated polyethers, hydrophobic silicones are transformed into hydrophilic silicones, giving fabrics good anti-fouling and antistatic properties.

In addition, there are carboxyl, thiol, alcohol, ester and other modified silicone softeners, each of which has unique properties and application areas, and together meet the textile industry's demand for high-quality fabrics.