Amino Silicone Oil: the Black-Tech Ingredient that makes Textile Softness Soar!

Amino Silicone Oil: the Black-Tech Ingredient that makes Textile Softness Soar!

What is Amino Silicone Oil

Amino silicone oil (Amino silicone fruid) , also known as amino-modified polysiloxane, is the product of the replacement of part of the methyl groups in dimethicone oil by aminoalkyl groups. A well-known representative of this class is Amodimethicone, which is widely used in personal care and textile applications. Amino silicone oil not only retains the hydrophobicity and mold release properties of dimethicone, but also gains new properties such as reactivity, adhesion, lubrication, and softness due to the introduction of the aminoalkyl groups. These enhanced characteristics make amino silicone oil widely used in the textile, leather, and daily chemical industries, especially in textile dyeing and finishing processes.

The application of amino silicone oil in textile softening and finishing

As the basic component of textile soft finishing agent, amino silicone oil has the best adsorption, compatibility and easy emulsification. Amino silicone oil can be easily emulsified into a stable and transparent microemulsion using suitable surfactants, with the help of a mixer or homogenizer. This emulsion can be used alone or combined with other silicones or organic softeners to become a special soft finishing agent for a variety of textiles.

Amino silicone oil gives fabrics soft, smooth, plump and other effects, as well as good elastic feel. In recent years, the domestic research on amino silicone oil continues to deepen, especially in wool or polyester fabric finishing, has achieved remarkable results.

Amino silicone oil performance on the fabric feel effect

| Enhanced Softness Without Greasy Residue

Amino silicone oil forms a thin, uniform film on the fiber surface that softens the fabric structure without creating an oily or sticky feel. Unlike traditional softeners that can leave behind a greasy residue and affect dyeing or breathability, amino silicone oils provide a clean and dry hand feel. This is especially important for lightweight textiles, underwear, or summer fabrics, where comfort and breathability are essential.

Why it matters:

• Softens fibers internally and externally

• Does not affect fabric whiteness or dye uptake

• Keeps fabrics fresh and wearable, even after multiple washes

• Other Applications of Amino Silicone Fluids

| Silky, Smooth Texture That Improves Drape and Flow

The unique molecular structure of amino silicone oil—flexible siloxane backbone combined with amino functionality—allows it to smooth out fiber irregularities and reduce inter-fiber friction. As a result, treated fabrics exhibit a fluid, luxurious drape, similar to silk or high-end viscose.

Ideal for:

• Dress fabrics, scarves, and curtains

• Rayon, viscose, and synthetic silk alternatives

• Enhancing the premium feel of budget fabrics

| Improved Resilience and Bounce, Especially in Knits and Stretch Fabrics

The elastic, film-forming properties of amino silicone oil help fabrics maintain their shape, loft, and stretchability. It enhances fiber recovery after deformation, making it especially effective in knitted, spandex-blended, and athletic fabrics. The result is a fabric that feels soft yet snaps back into shape after stretching or compression.

Performance benefits:

• Prevents fabric sagging

• Reduces wrinkles and creasing

• Increases durability and perceived quality

| Reduced Static and Friction, Making the Fabric More Comfortable to Wear

Amino groups in the silicone fruid introduce cationic (positively charged) sites that neutralize the static charges typically built up on synthetic fibers. This dramatically improves wearing comfort, especially in dry environments, by minimizing cling, crackling, and dust attraction.

Additionally, the lubricating effect reduces fiber-to-fiber and fiber-to-skin friction, making the fabric smoother and more skin-friendly.

Key applications:

• Office wear, linings, and uniforms

• Polyester, nylon, and acrylic blends

• Winter garments prone to static buildup

In addition to being used as softening and finishing agents for textiles, emulsions made from the addition of aminosilicone oils to emulsifiers are often used as fiber and fabric treatments to significantly improve softness, wrinkle resistance, elasticity and tear strength. 

Amino silicone fluid, beyond its use in textile finishing, is also widely applied in personal care products, furniture and instrument polishing, paper treatment, coatings, and as a rust and corrosion inhibitor for metals.  In hair care products, amino silicone oil can also be used as a hair oil, hair wax with the agent, so that the hair is soft and shiny.