Sorbitol is white hygroscopic powder or crystalline powder, flake or granule, odorless. The melting point varies from 88 ℃ to 102℃ and the relative density is about 1.49, depending on the crystallization conditions. Soluble in water (1g soluble in about 0.45ml water), slightly soluble in ethanol and acetic acid. It has a cool sweetness, about half as sweet as sucrose, and its calorific value is similar to that of sucrose.
Sorbitol has the following functions in the textile industry:
The addition of sorbitol to the fabric facilitates the printing and dyeing of the fabric. Its mixture with ethylene glycol can be used as the regulator of nylon and polypropylene fiber;
Sorbitol as a detergent can chelate iron and copper plasma in fabric bleach or detergent.
Sorbitol can be used as a scavenger of unreacted formaldehyde and a toughening agent after decontamination in solution formulations to improve the washable and wearability of cotton fibers.
Sorbitan monooleate is often used as dry cleaning agent in combination with anionic surfactants.
The product of the condensation of sorbitol with epichlorohydrin can be used as fabric softener after reaction with triethylene triamine hydrazine stearate.
