Oil-Based Fluorine-Free Water Repellent Solves Shoelace Wicking Issue

Shoelaces and narrow woven tapes face challenges in waterproofing due to heat sensitivity. Traditional water-based agents require curing above 130°C, risking damage to elastic or leather substrates. Worse, untreated laces exhibit rapid water wicking—tests show 35% water absorption after 30 seconds of rain exposure, with water resistance failing after 10 abrasion cycles.

Chemi Tech's oil-based fluorine-free repellent KMF-012 leverages solvent compounding technology (ethyl acetate/butyl ester base) to achieve:

Ambient self-crosslinking: Hydrophobic chains auto-align upon solvent evaporation, forming dense films without thermal damage;

Wicking resistance: Nano-polymers fill fiber capillaries, increasing surface tension above 72 dyn/cm to block water penetration;

Abrasion resistance: Silicone elastomers maintain grade 4 water repellency (AATCC22) after 50 steel brush abrasions.

Case: Fujian Webbing Factory Efficiency Upgrade

Supplying laces to global sportswear brands, this factory struggled with 8% shrinkage and 65% wicking qualification using conventional agents. After adopting KMF-012:

Process: 2.5% KMF-012 + 97.5% solvent → 10-min immersion → centrifugal dewatering → air drying;

Results:

Water absorption dropped to 3% (vs. brand requirement ≤5%);

Grade 4 repellency sustained after 50 abrasion cycles (previously failed at 20 cycles);

Shrinkage controlled below 0.3% with 98% yield rate.

This solution extends to safety ropes and backpack straps, reducing energy consumption by eliminating heating.