Abstract
This chapter deals with the basic principles, process, performance, characteristics and applications of waterproof breathable fabrics. Waterproof breathable fabrics have been developed for various applications, including leisure, medical and survival. Such fabrics are available in a large variety, and can be categorized as densely woven fabrics, microporous films and coatings, hydrophilic membranes and coatings, a combination of microporous and hydrophilic membranes and coatings, with retroreflective microbeads, electrospinning nanowebs, smart breathable fabrics and fabrics based on biomimetics. The basic principles, mechanisms and performance of water vapour transmission solely depend on the type of breathable fabrics. This chapter summarizes the characteristics and achievements of these fabrics and suits. Salient features of a few commercially available waterproof and breathable materials such as Ventile, VÆTREX, EtaProof, Stomatex, Super-Microft, Inotek, Gore-Tex, etc. are discussed in brief. Some important tests and characteristics of these waterproof breathable fabrics, such as thickness, mechanical properties, pore size and its distribution, contact angle analysis, air and water vapour permeability, etc. are discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
