Altranol-GR

1
Altranol-GR
Protection for your whites 2011-2012
2
The continuously increasing consumption of
elastane fibres over the last few years shows
that nobody wants to do without the advantages
imparted to the textiles substrates with high
stretching properties high elastic force, but
today these fibres are also used for women's
men's outerwear in order to impart a better
permanent form stability.
Elastane Fibre Trend
3
Textile articles especially whites and pale
shades are susceptible to yellowing. This can
happen during or after textile processing at the
plant but also during storage in shops or even
at home. There are many causes which can be
responsible for this phenomenon
Prevention of yellowing during thermo-setting of
Elastane Blends
Gas Fading
Temperature
Yellowing Effects
Packaging
Storage
Miscellaneous
Light
4

• The yellowing effects may be due to substrate
  itself, or due to the products used such as oils
  softeners. It requires an analysis to detect
  the problem.
• Gas Fading NOx fumes of stenters NOX fumes
  during storage Ozone exposure
• Temperature Heat setting, Moulding, Softeners
  heat exposure
• Packaging Phenolic amine related yellowing
• Light Fading of optical brighteners
  dyestuffs, Deterioration of fibres
• Micro-organisms Attack by fungi bacteria
• MiscellaneousInteraction of softener
  fluorescent whitening agent

Causes for Yellowing
5
Directly heated stentersOne of the most
important causes of textile yellowing of
synthetic fibres is gas fading. The combustion of
gas and fuel introduces NOx into the heated air.
This NOx - gas is able to react with the fibre
and with products (oils, waxes and anti-oxidants)
on the fibre. By applying Altranol-GR on the
fabric, a reaction of the NOx with the active
ingredients of Altranol-GR takes place. The
resulting reaction product is easily washed off.
The fibres are not attacked.At the end the
result is a cleaner, whiter fabric.
Gas Fading, The reaction
6
StentersIn the textile industry we meet two
different types of stenters. Stenters heated by
burning gas and oil as well as indirectly
oil-heated stenters. The combustion heated
stenters produce more harmful nitrogen oxides as
the air is in direct contact with the flame. In
the indirectly heated stenter type air is not
mixed with fuel or gas to heat the textile
materials. By using Altranol-GR the difference
in whiteness between similar lots heat set on
different stenters can be minimized
(reproducibility).As explained before, the NOx
produced in the direct heated stenter is
scavenged away by the Altranol-GR product.The
levelness in the width and also in the length of
the lot as well as between similar lots is far
better when Altranol-GR is used. 
7
Gas fading and storageSome fibres and applied
lubricants, but especially packaging materials,
can contain anti-oxidants, based on steric
hindered phenols, like BHT. This anti-oxidant
can react with NOx fumes present in shops and
ware houses, due to air pollution especially
through traffic (traffic in or close to ware
houses). Avoiding BHT containing packaging and
an acid pH value of the finished goods can
minimize this problem.  Ozone fadingOzone
fading is actually an issue in the garment
industry, especially on denim articles. This
causes a yellowing effect which is caused by a
certain type of softeners. Special anti-ozonate
softeners can reduce this problem to a minimum
(e.g. Aquasorb-OZ) 
8
High temperaturesExposure of textile materials
to heat can cause yellowing due to oxidation of
fibres, fibre and spinning lubricants, fibre
impurities (cotton). Fibre oxidation of
Polyamide fibres results in loss of end-amino
groups. As a consequence a loss of colour-yield
will be observed. If oils are present, the heat
transfer can be irregular from fibre to fibre and
oxidation takes place unevenly. Differences in
dye-sites (end-amino groups) automatically will
then show up as barriness.Another yellowing
defect can occur during moulding of articles
made of synthetic fibres, especially for ladys
lingerie ( e.g. PA/EL bra.)Altranol-GR can be of
great help to maintain whiteness and overcome
inconsistency problems. Especially cationic
fatty amide derived softeners as well as some
amino modified silicones (high nitrogen contents)
are sensitive to oxidation and thus yellowing
effects.Drying and finishing conditions should
be well balanced out with the choice of softeners
and the required end-results.     
9
PackagingSome remarks were already made, on
this topic, under Nitrous fumes and storage. It
is important to set the right final acid pH-value
for the finished goods, as the yellowing only
appears under neutral to alkaline conditions. It
can easily be checked if the fabric turns white
after exposure to acid.The reason for this
yellowing is the combination of phenolic
compounds like BHT and nitrous gases, coming
mainly from air pollution. It occurs much more
in cities than in the countryside. BHT may be
present in packaging materials like plastics,
foams, recycled paper and adhesives (try to sue
BHT-free plastic and avoid paper boxes made of
recycled paper) 
10
LightThe light fastness of Fluorescent
Whitening Agents (FWA) is generally rather low.
Articles or parts of them, which are exposed to
direct sunlight, will look yellowish. Light, as
an energy source, can also deteriorate fibres.
Glass does not filter out all UV light (only lt
320 nm). PA is a very susceptible fibre,
especially the Titanium oxide containing dull
versions. This photo oxidation causes yellowing
and strength-loss. The presence of moisture
accelerates this effect.Micro-organisms Fungi
and bacteria can cause yellowish or even brown or
black stains. These species need nutrition to
grow, such as residual organic chemicals on the
fabric (e.g. organic acids, leveling agents,
surfactants, softeners, lubricants). Humidity
and ambient temperatures will speed up their
growth.  
11
MiscellaneousCationic softeners can interact
with anionic fluorescent whitening agents,
reducing the hue of whiteness. The rate of
quenching depends on the type of softener and the
accessibility of the nitrogen-atoms. The pH
also plays an important role. Strong acid
conditions should be avoided.Acid pH values of
the fabric may also lead to shade change of the
FWA to greenish, which may already happen at pH
of lt5. Select the right FWA if slightly acid
conditions on the fabrics are required (e.g. to
avoid phenolic yellowing)
12

• Untreated fabric can be full of different
  preparations impurities. Especially mineral oil
  / natural oils, silicone oils, paraffin waxes,
  antistats etc affect the fabric. Normally these
  impurities would be removed by washing. However
  this is impossible due to curling of textile
  hence forced to set the fabric with all
  contaminating substances. This have negative
  effect on the fabric quality. The most frequent
  negative appearances are yellowing, poorer
  dyeability caused by the oxidation of the fibre,
  reservations which are observed after dyeing
  poor fastness properties.
• Volatile preparations indirectly affect the
  fixing aggregates because these preparations
  precipitate on colder machine parts drop back
  onto the fabric , which too cause a typical
  faulty appearance.

Why Pre-impregnating with an Altranol-GR is
necessary?
13
This special product contains selected
scavengers to avoid yellowing effects due to NOx
fumes in direct heated stenters as well as
heat-related oxidation. This product is
efficient on PA, PA/EL, PES and
PES/EL. Pre-fixation of greige goodsEASTANE
containing fabrics and especially knitwear need a
presenting to relax the fabric and to obtain form
stability of the goods (changing the
micro-structure of the synthetic fibre and partly
fusing the Elastane fibres). Of course in
respect to the weight per m2, the length and the
width per all settings should be within the final
specifications of the goods. Additionally the
undesirable tendency of curling edges can be
eliminated or at least be minimized.Heat-setting
of Polyester/EL and Polyamide/EL is done at
approx. 185º - 195º C, depending on the type of
Elastane fibre.
Why Altranol-GR?
14
Logistically it is preferred to do the
heat-setting operation on greige goods, but
impurities such as fibre and spinning lubricants
/ oils and emulsifiers may lead to increased
yellowing tendency . Some industries tend to
pre-scour before setting for this reason. It
solves however the yellowing of oils but not that
of the Polyamide and Elastane. Heat-setting wet
fabric will moreover cause increased yellowing.
However, the circumstances on the stenter play
an even greater influence.Direct or indirect
heating.Reliability and consistency of the
temperature.Direct heated stenters produce NOx
fumes by oxidation of nitrogen. These fumes are
attacking the oils and the fibres during the
setting operation, thereby causing
yellowing.Altranol-GR prevents this reaction as
it contains special scavengers.
Why Altranol-GR?(Contd)
15
In a gas chamber combustion fumes (among others
NOx) are brought into contact with fabric and
treated at 160ºC.  Moulding of finished
fabrics (e.g. womens brassiers)PA/EL
especially blends are susceptible to yellowing
during moulding to obtain a good fit especially
for ladys underwear. Oxidation of the Elastane
and polyamide fibres can easily occur. Residual
scavenger from the previous treatment or newly
applied Altranol-GR will avoid this to a large
extend.BLANKOPHOR CLE and BLANKOPHOR CLE Liquid
have the highest moulding resistance of all
Fluorescent Whitening Agents for PA/Elastane.
Yellowing in presence of NOx fumes
16
PA/EL knitted fabric was treated with 20 ml/l
Altranol-GR Pick-up 60 Dried at 120ºC and
heat-setted at 195ºC. Part of the samples were
washed with reduction agent at 85ºC, rinsed and
dried.Contact head was applied on the FIXOTEST
according ISO 105-P01. The treated fabrics,
either washed or unwashed, are showing clearly
much less yellowing after the Fixotest-treatment.
 Light fastnessAltranol-GR shows only very
little improvement of the light fastness. To
increase the light fastness of the fibres and the
dyestuffs special UV-absorbers are recommended.
Contact heat and Altranol-GR
Altranol-GR treated
Untreated
After heat setting 60 secs at 195ºC
After heat setting 60 secs at 210ºC
17
Influence of amount of productThe amount of
scavenger (and thus the amount of product)
depends on the amount of fumes and oxygen in
stenter. Good stenters need lower amounts than
critical ones. For moulding articles it is
advised to use some more product as residual
scavenger will remain on the fabric after washing
and reduction bleaching. This will help to
overcome yellowing during forming cups
etc.ApplicationIt can be applied by pad
and/or exhaust method. Pad applicationAltranol
-GR 20-40 ml/l Exhaust applicationAltranol-G
R 2-4 o.w.f
18
RecipeThe following variation in processing are
suggested.For use on Greige goods 1. Padding
20-40ml/l Altranol-GR 0.3-0.5ml/l Sequestering
agent Padding 50-75 pick-up Drying 100ºC H
eat setting 180-200ºC  For use on Pre scoured
goods 2. Exhaust 2 -4 Altranol-GR 0.25-0.
5ml/l Sequestering agent Process for about
10-15 mins at 50-60ºC,spin or put through a
mangle finally dry heat set.
19
For use during mouldingThe conditions during
moulding are principally the same as in heat
setting. At temperatures above 200ºC exposure
times between 20-80 seconds some fibres show a
tendency to yellowing. This problem is aggravated
through softeners on the fabric which cause
yellowing under the influence of temperature. If
one optimises this finish by a combination of
thermostable hydrophilic softeners an
additional wetting agent with antioxidative
effectsGuide Recipe10-30g/l Altranol-GR10-30g
/l Powersil-SIQ or Luballen-AHX
g/l Altraplex-GA (To adjust pH to
4.5-5.0)Subsequent heat setting
20
Altranol-GR

• Antioxidative effect.
• Prevents yellowing induced by heat processing
• specifically for articles which have to be
  heat set e.g.
• because of curled edges, or for stability
  reasons.
• Maintains the dyeability.
• Very good wetting effect on hydrophobic untreated
• fabric.
• Good washing effect.
• Reduces evaporation of spinning lubricants at the
• stenter.
• Prevents soiling of the stenter.
• Suitable for articles with a tendency to
  yellowing in
• subsequent heat treatments (e.g. on a rotary
  press).
• Preferred application is by padding.
• An exhaust application can be used.

21
L.N.CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES
OFFICE ADDRESS- 403, Antariksh,
Makwana Road, Marol Naka, Andheri (E), Mumbai
400 059 Tel.- 91- 22- 4221 6789 (30 Lines)
91- 22- 6692 4112 Fax -91-22- 2836 6434
FACTORY ADDRESS- D- 14 /10, T.T.C. M.I.D.C
Industrial area, Turbhe , P.O. K.U.Bazar, Navi
Mumbai 400 705 Tel.-91- 22- 4141 9899 (30
Lines) Fax -91- 22- 4141 9888
Email ID ketan_at_lnchem.in
lnchem_at_vsnl.com