Silicone finish (silicone treatment)
Also known as: Silicone treatment, Silicone impregnation, Silicone-based DWR, PFC-free finish
PFC-free water-repellent silicone finish — supple hand, breathable, popular fluorocarbon replacement since 2020.
Description
Silicone finishing applies a thin film of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or related silicone polymers to the fibre surface — via pad application, spray or foam, followed by cross-linking at 130–170 °C. Silicone lowers the fabric's surface tension to around 20–24 mN/m and causes water to bead off.
Since 2020 silicone finishes have become the leading PFC-free alternative to C6 and C8 fluorocarbon DWR: they contain no PFAS, avoid the substances criticised as "forever chemicals" and are ecologically benign. Downsides: oil repellency is lower than fluorocarbon (coffee or cooking oil stains are not repelled) and wash fastness is limited to 10–20 washes — a refresh via ironing or wash-in sprays is possible. Well-known brands include Rudolf Bionic-Finish Eco and Archroma Smartrepel.
- Base: polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
- Add-on: 30–80 g/m² wet pick-up
- Curing: 130–170 °C, approx. 1–2 min
- PFC-free, ecologically benign
Properties
| Chemistry | Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) |
|---|---|
| Water repellency | Very high (contact angle > 110°) |
| Oil repellency | Low (unlike fluorocarbons) |
| PFAS status | PFC-free / PFAS-free |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- OEKO-TEX PFC-frei OEKO-TEX Association https://www.oeko-tex.com/de/newsroom/pfas-in-textilien
- Archroma Smartrepel archroma.com https://www.archroma.com/
