As an optical whitening material, optical brighteners release blue light by absorbing ultraviolet rays to make up for the yellowness of the material itself. They are widely used in life and are closely related to quality experience.
The textile field is its core application scenario. Cotton, linen, chemical fiber and other fabrics often have a yellow feeling after printing and dyeing. Adding optical brighteners can improve the whiteness level and make clothes and bedding present a cleaner visual effect. For example, the whiteness value of white T-shirts can be increased by 15%-20% after treatment, and the washability can reach more than 30 times, and it remains bright white after multiple washings. Protein fibers such as wool and silk need to use special Optical brighteners to avoid damaging the fiber structure.
The papermaking industry relies on it to improve the appearance of paper products. After adding optical brighteners to toilet paper, paper towels and other daily paper, it can cover the slight yellowness of the pulp itself and enhance the visual whiteness; printing paper can precisely control the amount of addition to improve the whiteness without affecting the adhesion of ink, ensuring bright printing colors. Data shows that the fluorescent whitening agent content of high-quality copy paper is usually controlled at 0.01%-0.05%, balancing whiteness and safety.
Adding optical brighteners to detergents can enhance the visual effect of stain removal. The fluorescent whitening ingredients in laundry detergents and washing powders can be adsorbed on clothing fibers, and reflect blue light after exposure to sunlight, making the clothes appear whiter after washing, especially for white and light-colored clothes. This type of whitening agent needs to pass skin irritation tests to ensure compliance with daily necessities safety standards.
Plastics and daily necessities have a variety of applications. Adding optical brighteners to white plastic bags and plastic tableware can improve the dullness of the raw materials themselves; adding appropriate amounts to daily chemicals such as toothpaste and soap can enhance the refreshing feeling of the product appearance. It is worth noting that food contact plastics must use food-grade fluorescent whitening agents, strictly control the amount of migration, and ensure safe use.
The application of optical brighteners must be based on compliance. While improving the visual quality of the product, it must strictly follow industry safety standards to achieve a balance between function and safety.
