| abstract |
Hydrophilic fibers having a durable hydrophilicity and an excellent safety; and cloth-like articles and filters made by using the fiber. The fibers can be prepared by making 0.1 to 1.0 % by weight (based on the weight of the fibers) of a finish comprising 20 to 90 % by weight of the following composition (A) and 10 to 80 % by weight of the following composition (B) adhere to thermoplastic resin fibers exhibiting a water absorption capacity of 1 % by weight or below: (A) a composition comprising 0 to 75 % by weight of at least one compound selected from among sorbitan esters of C12-C18 fatty acids and 25 to 100 % by weight of at least one compound selected from among adducts of sorbitan esters of C12-C18 fatty acids with 5 to 20 ethylene oxide molecules; and (B) a composition comprising (a) white mineral oil, (b) a diester of a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 600 with a C12-C18 fatty acid, (c) a diester of a polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of 200 to 600 with a C12-C18 fatty acid, (d) a Pluronic-type nonionic surfactant, and (e) at least one compound selected from among metal salts of C8-C16 alkylsulfonates. |