Abstract
The effects of builder action i.e., dispersion, calcium binding and alkaline buffer action, on the removal of Fe2O3 particulate soils were studied using various copolymers of sodium styrenesulfonate with sodium methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate so as to find some substitute for a phosphate builder.
The calcium binding capacity of builders was measured by the calcium electrode method. Particle size in suspension, deposition, redeposition and removal efficiency were investigated as functions of builder concentration under fixed conditions of 50 ppm hard water, pH 10 and 30°C. The ζ-potentials of particles and fabrics were also measured by microelectrophoresis and streaming potential, respectively.
The most important function of a builder should be its ability to adsorb polyelectrolyte with electric and steric barrior effects, since removal behavior of particulate soil is influenced more electrokinetic phenomena than chelating phenomena.
Sodium styrenesulfonate-sodium methacrylate copolymer having multi-functional builder action, i.e., dispersion, calcium binding and alkaline buffer action was found to be an excellent new builder.
