| HS Code | 203385 |
| Product Name | Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC |
| Appearance | white or off-white flakes |
| Ionic Type | weak cationic |
| Active Content | ≥90% |
| Ph Value | 5.0-7.0 (1% aqueous solution) |
| Solubility | soluble or dispersible in hot water |
| Melting Point | 45-55 °C |
| Moisture Content | ≤1.0% |
| Recommended Dosage | 1-5% as received, depending on process |
| Application | textile softening finishing |
| Packaging | 25 kg bag |
| Storage | store in a cool, dry, ventilated place |
| Shelf Life | 12 months in sealed packaging |
As an accredited Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is packaged in 25 kg moisture-proof woven bags with inner plastic liners for safe storage and transport. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC loaded in moisture-proof bags on pallets, evenly secured inside a dry 20′ FCL for transport. |
| Shipping | Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is shipped as a non-dangerous, moisture-sensitive solid in 25 kg PP woven bags with PE liners, palletized and shrink-wrapped. Transport and store in a cool, dry, ventilated area, away from moisture, sunlight, and incompatible anionic chemicals. Use standard PPE. |
| Storage | Store `Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC` in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent caking or absorption of water. Palletize off the floor, avoid incompatible oxidizers and acids, and keep separate from food, feed, and drinking water. Observe shelf-life and first-in, first-out stock rotation. |
| Shelf Life | Typically 12 months under cool, dry, well-ventilated storage in tightly closed original packaging, protected from moisture and direct sunlight. |
Where rinse-cycle softening is specified at 0.5–1.5 g/L active in household liquid fabric softeners, Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is first dispersed in demineralized water heated to 50–60 °C in a jacketed stainless-steel vessel. Anchor stirring at 40–80 rpm suspends the flakes until a coarse emulsion forms; pH is then adjusted to 2.8–3.8 with citric or lactic acid before a rotor-stator homogenizer pass at 2800–3000 rpm for 8–12 min. The acidification step is not optional: above pH 4.5 at 45 °C storage, esterquat hydrolysis accelerates and free fatty acid content rises measurably by ISO 660. The finished dispersion at 4.0–10.0 wt% active typically shows viscosity of 80–350 mPa·s on a Brookfield LV-2 spindle at 60 rpm and 25 °C; values outside this band require electrolyte adjustment with calcium chloride or sodium chloride at 0.01–0.05 wt%. Preservation requires methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone at 8–12 ppm active or benzisothiazolinone at 50–100 ppm, with challenge testing conducted under ISO 11930. At the designated rinse dosage, softening on cotton terry is measured as bending stiffness reduction of 20–40% against an untreated control using KES-FB2 pure-bending geometry, while rewettability loss remains below 15% by AATCC 79. The weak cationic character limits excessive deposition on polyester microfibre, preventing the stiff necking observed with high-charge quaternary ammonium compounds. Detergent-grade compliance for the surfactant component follows EU 648/2004 and the ready biodegradability endpoint under OECD 301B.
When the target active content moves above 12 wt%, direct flake addition to ambient water at 15–20 °C produces gel particles that are not corrected by short high-shear exposure. Concentrated production therefore pre-disperses the flake at 45–60 °C and maintains the oil phase above its melting range before phase inversion. The order of addition determines final yield stress: adding acid before the flake is fully dispersed lowers viscosity rapidly and creates a partially hydrolyzed fraction, while delayed acid addition raises the risk of alkaline ester saponification during heating. A two-step process is used on production batches: the flake is melted at 60–65 °C with a non-ionic co-emulsifier such as fatty alcohol ethoxylate at 2–5 wt% of the active charge, then the aqueous acid phase at 35–40 °C is metered into the melt under recirculation through an in-line rotor-stator at 3000 rpm. Cooling to 25 °C is carried out under slow anchor rotation to avoid shear thinning hysteresis. Table 1 shows a formulation gradient typical of 2×–4× concentrates, with viscosity by Brookfield LV-2 and freeze-thaw cycling by ASTM D3709.
| Active content (wt%) | Pre-dispersion temperature (°C) | Viscosity at 25 °C (mPa·s) | pH after 24 h | Freeze-thaw cycles without separation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 50–55 | 120–240 | 3.0–3.5 | 1 |
| 15 | 55–60 | 180–320 | 2.8–3.3 | 1 |
| 18 | 55–60 | 260–450 | 2.8–3.2 | 2 |
| 20 | 60–65 | 350–600 | 2.5–3.0 | 2 |
In rinse-off conditioners, Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is combined with cetearyl alcohol at 1.5–4.0 wt% cationic active and 3–6 wt% fatty alcohol in the oil phase. The oil phase is heated to 70–75 °C; the water phase is acidified to pH 3.8–4.2 with citric acid and heated to 70 °C before addition under turbine agitation at 500–1500 rpm. Phase inversion is observed after roughly 20–40% of the water phase has entered the oil phase, after which agitation rate is reduced to 100–300 rpm and cooling proceeds at 0.3–0.5 °C/min. The resulting lamellar gel network stabilizes the dispersed esterquat droplets and produces a viscosity of 8000–25000 mPa·s on a Brookfield LV-4 spindle at 6 rpm and 25 °C. Laser diffraction under ISO 13320 should show D90 below 30 µm after 24 h; larger particles correlate with visible pearlization and poor deposition uniformity on hair fibres. Wet combing load reduction of 35–60% versus a non-conditioning surfactant wash is measured by constant-speed extension on an Instron-type tester, though cosmetic performance protocols vary by laboratory. Preservation follows ISO 11930, and the finished formulation is assessed under EC 1223/2009. The formulation is not combined with high-pH alkaline agents or anionic polymers because these disrupt the cationic lamellar network and cause viscosity collapse below 4000 mPa·s.
In exhaust finishing of cotton and viscose knits after reactive dyeing, 0.5–2.0% owf Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is applied at pH 5.0–6.5 and 40–45 °C for 15–20 min at a liquor ratio of 1:10. The bath is prepared as a 5–10 wt% stock dispersion before dosing to avoid flake dust and localised over-softening. Residual anionic levelling agents and hydrolysed dye must be minimised, because complexation with the quaternary ammonium head groups can form insoluble agglomerates on fabric surfaces; a cloud-point check of the bath and a filtered residue test after the cycle are used as production controls. Softening on terry towel is measured as bending hysteresis reduction of 25–45% by KES-FB2, with whiteness retention according to AATCC 110 and tensile loss below 10% by ISO 13934-1. Pad-bath application uses 10–30 g/L of the pre-dispersed softener at 65–75% wet pickup, dried at 110–130 °C. At drying temperatures above 150 °C, yellowing may develop on whites; production trials with over-dried selvedges have shown this is accelerated by residual iron from contact dryers. The esterquat structure retains a biodegradability pathway that supports Oeko-Tex Standard 100 limits for finished textiles, but compliance is confirmed on the final article rather than on the raw flake alone.
For solid laundry softening formats, the flake is melted at 60–70 °C and sprayed through a two-fluid nozzle at 1.5–2.5 bar onto sodium sulfate or urea carrier beads in a fluidised bed. Published data for this specific Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC configuration is limited; plant-scale trials on a Glatt ProCell 5 with top spray have shown that a carrier pre-heat of 40 °C prevents instant solidification at the nozzle tip. Atomisation at 2.0 bar with a liquid feed rate of 4–6 kg/h produces granules with bulk density 0.55–0.75 g/cm³ and particle size 100–500 µm by sieve analysis. Dust generation is reduced to below 10 mg/m³ in a dustiness tester when the fines fraction below 100 µm is removed by screening. The granules are then packaged into polyvinyl alcohol film sachets for institutional laundry or added via a dispenser drawer at 0.3–1.0 g/L wash weight. The process boundary is the melt viscosity: above 200 mPa·s at the nozzle, droplet formation becomes irregular and the granules show surface cracks that release fines during pneumatic conveying.
Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC can be added to tissue stock at 0.5–2.0 kg/ton dry fibre when the wet-end pH is held at 6.0–7.5. Below this range the quaternary ammonium groups do not fully adsorb onto the anionic fibre surface; above pH 8.0 the ester linkages are more prone to hydrolysis and the stock odour may shift. The low charge density of the softener is critical for retention: addition above 5 kg/ton dry fibre can reverse the furnish charge from negative to positive, reducing retention aid efficiency and lowering formation quality. Charge demand is tracked by streaming current detector or zeta potential before machine chest dilution; the target net furnish zeta potential is -15 to -5 mV. Published data for this specific tissue configuration is limited; in mill trials, the emtec Tissue Softness Analyzer TS7 value typically shifts by 5–12 units versus an unsoftened control, while lint reduction is measured by loose fibre count on black felt after a controlled rub cycle. For food-contact tissue and towel grades, the finished sheet is tested under FDA 21 CFR 176.170 or EU 1935/2004 compliance protocols; the raw flake alone is not a food-contact approval.
In hydroentangled cotton/polyester wipes, a 0.3–1.0 wt% active finish of Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is applied by kiss roll or low-pressure spray after drying, then cured at 25–50 °C because high-temperature curing is unnecessary and risks esterquat yellowing. The finish bath is prepared as a 2–5 wt% dispersion and passed through a 50 µm inline filter to prevent nozzle clogging. Pickup is controlled at 60–100% by contact roller pressure; final nonwoven absorbency measured by ISO 9073-6 should not exceed 4 s for a 50 µL drop on the finished substrate, and tensile strength measured by ISO 13934-1 should retain at least 85% of the untreated value. Linting is evaluated gravimetrically in a controlled tumble test because over-softening weakens the hydroentangled fibre network and increases loose fibre count. The finish must not be mixed with anionic wetting agents, as precipitation reduces both absorbency and preservation stability.
Competitive Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8618005193850 or mail to sales8@bouling-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8618005193850
Email: sales8@bouling-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is a fatty acid esterquat-based softener flake with a deliberately reduced cationic charge density. The product code ESC identifies the weak cationic grade within the supplier’s softener portfolio and is used for lot traceability. Supplied as a free-flowing off-white flake, the material is intended for exhaust and pad finishing of cotton, viscose, modal, and polyester/cotton woven and knitted goods. On production-scale softflow and overflow jet machines, the product is predispersed in demineralized water at 50–60 °C before addition to the main bath. Typical application rates fall between 2.0 % and 6.0 % on weight of fabric in exhaust processes and 10 g/L to 30 g/L in pad liquors. The weak cationic charge is intended to reduce coacervation with residual anionic processing aids while retaining sufficient substantivity for cellulosics. Lot-specific release data should be obtained from the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis; the ranges quoted below reflect published technical data for comparable weak cationic esterquat flakes and are not a guarantee for unverified production lots.
Table 1 lists the primary release parameters. The pH of a 1 % aqueous dispersion is a critical control because a value below 3.5 indicates excessive free fatty acid or hydrolysis products, while a value above 5.5 can reduce exhaustion efficiency in acidic textile baths. Amine value measured by ASTM D2074-07 provides a proxy for charge density and is controlled within a narrow band to ensure handle reproducibility across production lots. Moisture content above 2.0 % increases the risk of flake agglomeration in warm storage and should trigger re-drying or rejection according to the user’s incoming QC plan.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical release range |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual inspection | Off-white to pale yellow flakes |
| Ionic character | Electrophoretic migration | Weak cationic |
| pH of 1 % aqueous dispersion | ISO 4316:1977 | 3.5–5.5 |
| Moisture content | ISO 760:1978 | ≤2.0 % |
| Amine value | ASTM D2074-07 | 5–15 mg KOH/g |
| Melting range | ISO 6321:2002 | 50–60 °C |
| Solubility at 60 °C | Internal dispersion method | Dispersible without gelation |
| Ash content | ISO 6884:2008 | ≤1.0 % |
For incoming QC, a 5 % stock dispersion prepared at 55 °C should remain homogeneous for at least 4 h at room temperature. Phase separation before this interval usually indicates excessive moisture, hydrolyzed ester linkages, or contamination with anionic surfactants.
On production-scale softflow and overflow jet equipment with liquor ratios between 1:5 and 1:10, the flake is predispersed through a side-tank mixer fitted with a high-shear impeller operating at 1400 rpm for 10–15 min. The predispersion ratio is typically 1:5 to 1:10 product to water by weight; the water is heated to 55 °C before flake addition under slow agitation. High-shear mixing should not exceed 15 min because prolonged shear can reduce low-temperature stability and increase foam generation. The predispersion is then added to the main machine after the bath has been set to pH 4.5–5.5 with dilute acetic acid. The softening cycle is run at 40–50 °C for 20–30 min with fabric rope speed maintained between 200 m/min and 350 m/min on jet machines. Hard water above 150 mg/L CaCO₃ should be sequestered with a compatible dispersing agent before product addition, because calcium ions can destabilize the cationic dispersion and produce spot deposits on dark shades. Published esterquat exhaustion data from comparable weak cationic systems indicate 70–85 % exhaustion onto cotton from a 1:8 bath at 40 °C after 20 min; this is below the 90 % exhaustion typical of strong quaternary ammonium softeners under identical conditions. After hydroextraction, drying at 110–130 °C forms a uniform softener film without measurable yellowing on bleached cotton. For padding, a liquor concentration of 10–30 g/L with a wet pick-up of 65–80 % is used on production mangles; the lower concentration is preferred when the fabric subsequently passes through a sanforizing unit or a compressive shrinkage range.
Residual anionic surfactants, sizing agents, or anionic optical brighteners can form coacervates with cationic softeners, leading to bath turbidity, filter blockage, and whiteness loss on bleached goods. Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is formulated to reduce this interaction relative to strong di-alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, but compatibility is not unlimited. Bath pH is the primary control variable: at pH below 4.0, the positive charge density on the softener increases and coacervation with anionic species becomes more likely; at pH above 6.5, exhaustion onto cotton becomes incomplete. A compatibility trial using 0.1–0.3 g/L of stilbene-based OBA and 10–20 g/L of the softener is therefore recommended before full-scale introduction. Whiteness retention should be measured according to ISO 105-J02:1997 and compared against a softener-free control. On continuous pad lines processing PES/cotton shirting, adding 1–2 g/L of an ethoxylated nonionic dispersant can reduce visible precipitate formation without eliminating the underlying charge interaction.
| Performance attribute | Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC | Strong cationic quaternary flake | Nonionic fatty acid ester flake | Amino silicone macroemulsion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anionic OBA compatibility | Moderate; pH-dependent | Poor; precipitation below pH 5.0 | Good | Good |
| Yellowing after 150 °C cure | Low to moderate | Moderate to high | Very low | Low |
| Rewetting absorbency by AATCC 79-2018 | Intermediate | Low | High | Very low |
| Exhaustion onto cotton at 1:8 liquor ratio | Good | Very good | Partial | Very good |
| Typical use concentration | 2–6 % owf | 1–4 % owf | 3–8 % owf | 0.5–1.5 % owf |
In jet machines with high turbulence, amino silicone macroemulsions can generate shear-induced pad deposits, whereas the esterquat flake exhibits lower shear sensitivity. However, the silicone product provides a more elastic drape and lower surface friction than the weak cationic flake, so selection should be driven by the required hand and downstream cutting/sewing performance. Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC differs from strong cationic flakes primarily in its lower charge density, which trades some exhaustion speed for improved compatibility with anionic auxiliaries and reduced yellowing on white goods.
Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is hygroscopic; storage at relative humidity above 60 % increases moisture uptake and reduces flake flow. The product should be kept in sealed bags at temperatures below 40 °C and protected from direct sunlight. Melting for bulk transfer is performed at 55–65 °C; sustained temperatures above 80 °C accelerate ester hydrolysis and raise free amine content, shifting dispersion pH and reducing softening efficiency. The typical shelf life in unopened packaging is 12 months from the date of manufacture under the stated storage conditions. In tropical warehouses without climate control, the product should be consumed within 6 months because temperature cycling can create internal condensation and flake bridging in silos.
Regulatorily, the product is not classified as hazardous under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 based on typical esterquat composition, but the current extended SDS must be consulted for transport and waste-disposal obligations. REACH registration status and SVHC content should be verified against the supplier’s safety data sheet before import into the European Union. If softened fabric is intended for food-contact articles, suitability must be confirmed under FDA 21 CFR 176.170 or FDA 21 CFR 176.180 as applicable; the product is not automatically cleared for direct food contact. Aerobic biodegradability of esterquat-type weak cationic flake products is generally evaluated by OECD 301B; published data for this chemical class indicates ready biodegradability in the range of 60–80 % after 28 days, though the exact result for ESC must be confirmed on the supplier SDS. This distinguishes esterquat flakes from older dialkyl quaternary ammonium softeners, which often show slower degradation and higher sediment toxicity. Incompatibilities include strong anionic sulfates, sulfonates, and high levels of polyacrylic acid antiredeposition agents, which can form adhesive deposits on pad rollers. The product should not be mixed with amine-based additives or alkaline buffers that raise bath pH above 6.5, because ester linkage hydrolysis accelerates under alkaline conditions.
On padder lines where the product is combined with fluoropolymer finishes or antistatics, the weakest component often controls bath stability. Jar tests with the full formulation at working concentration should be performed for 24 h; any creaming or precipitate above 0.5 % by volume indicates incompatibility and requires reformulation. In production, padding trough covers and continuous filtration through 50 µm mesh screens reduce flake aggregates from reaching the nip and causing uneven softener deposition.
In continuous stenter finishing of resin-treated cotton, Weak Cationic Soft Flake ESC is co-applied with DMDHEU resin and magnesium chloride catalyst. The weak cationic charge reduces catalyst neutralization relative to strong quaternary ammonium compounds, but bath pH must remain between 4.5 and 5.5 to avoid excessive resin crosslinking or softener hydrolysis. Production trials on a pin stenter at 150 °C with 90–120 s residence time have shown no significant whiteness loss when the softener dosage is maintained below 20 g/L; published data for higher concentrations in this exact configuration is limited. In dispersion preparation, direct steam injection should be avoided because localized overheating above 80 °C can hydrolyze the esterquat and produce a grainy dispersion; indirect jacketed mixing is preferred.
Dedicated to excellence in chemistry — serving industries worldwide with integrity and innovation.
