Waterproof fabrics usually refer to fabrics that are waterproof themselves. Today’s waterproof fabrics have experienced the early development of compact fabrics and coated waterproof fabrics, and are mainly pasted film fabrics. The key to the waterproof effect of waterproof fabrics lies in the functional films used in the fabrics. When we travel outdoors, the changeable weather requires that jackets, pants, shoes, etc. must have certain waterproof functions.
In the early days of the development of waterproof fabrics, the adhesive film-type fabrics that occupied the largest market share mostly used PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) films. This type of film is a microporous film. The waterproof performance is expressed by the water pressure value it can withstand, which is not 100 % waterproof. In comparison, another kind of film that has been adopted by more and more brands in recent years – non-porous hydrophilic film is not only non-porous itself and 100% waterproof, making the product’s waterproof performance more reliable, some non-porous hydrophilic films are more Because of its environmentally friendly and harmless characteristics, it is favored by more people in the industry. This material does not contain PTFE ingredients, can directly contact the skin, and can be recycled like PET plastic bottles.
Usually, these fabric manufacturers with film technology do not directly sell films to clothing brands. They use the pasting process to combine the film with other fabrics to form a composite fabric (as shown in the picture above, the middle layer is a film). The brand only needs Purchasing these composite fabrics can directly make waterproof clothing products. The fabrics used to combine with the film are not waterproof themselves, such as polyester fiber, nylon, etc., so when we wear waterproof clothing and encounter wet weather, we will see water seeping into the clothing, just like clothing made of ordinary fabrics. , but the inner layer of the clothing is dry and no water seeps in. This is the role of the waterproof film in the middle of the composite fabric.
If water disperses into small droplets on clothing and then slides off, it is usually because the fabric used has been treated with water-repellent treatment. Water-repellent treatment is actually a layer of special treatment covering the surface of the fabric. It is usually added when the finished fabric is finalized. dwr for durable water repellency. The purpose of using DWR coating is that when water drips onto the surface of the clothing, it can form small water droplets or directly slide off the surface of the clothing to prevent the fabric from absorbing water. At the same time, it also makes it easier to remove oil stains attached to the surface of the clothing. Most waterproof clothing uses this kind of DWR water-repellent treatment. The advantage of using DWR treatment is that the surface layer of the clothing does not absorb moisture, thereby ensuring that the waterproof fabric can achieve good breathability, so that the human body can wear it very well. Feel.
In short, waterproof fabrics can basically achieve 100% waterproofing, but in order to obtain a more comfortable wearing experience and make these waterproof fabrics have good breathability effects, DWR water-repellent treatment is also necessary. In addition, the complete waterproofing of clothing is also closely related to the waterproof performance of clothing accessories such as tapes and zippers used at the seams, because the waterproofing and water-repellent resistance of fabrics refer to the functionality of the fabric itself, and the needle holes or holes in the seams If the gap in the zipper is not treated, the garment cannot be 100% waterproof.
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