Analysis of interaction between mechanical force and chemical effect in cleaning phenomenon by probability density functional method.

Probability density functional method was used to determine whether interaction between mechanical force and chemical action in cleaning was an additive effect, a synergistic effect, or an offsetting effect. As a soiled sample, iron (III) oxide soiled fabric, Sudan IV soiled fabric, commercially available artificial soiled fabric containing mixed stains, etc. were used and washed with a tergotometer. Mean value μrl and standard deviation σrl of the cleaning force distribution were calculated by using probability density functional method, and the interaction was judged using Δμrl which is the difference between μrl obtained under the two conditions. As results, additive effects between the mechanical force and the pH effect were confirmed in the cleaning of iron (III) oxide soiled fabric and commercially available artificially soiled fabric, and an additive effect between the mechanical force and the effect of the surfactant concentration was confirmed in the cleaning of Sudan IV soiled fabric. Therefore, it was presumed that an additive effect is often established between the mechanical action and the chemical action in cleaning, rather than a synergistic effect or an offsetting effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]