Hydrostatic Resistance and Mechanical Behaviours of Breathable Layered Waterproof Fabrics

Abstract

Breathable layered waterproof fabrics have good applications in the fields of sportswear, protective clothing and construction industries. The properties of these fabrics in allowing water vapour to pass through while preventing liquid water from entering have made them unique. The mechanical properties of these fabrics are also very important for the satisfaction of the wearers. The layered constructions of these fabrics with different characteristic properties contribute to the influence on their hydrostatic resistance, mechanical properties and water vapour permeability. This study presents an experiment on eight different types of hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane laminated layered fabrics used as sportswear during hot or cold weather. The hydrostatic resistance, tensile strength, stiffness and water vapour permeability of these fabrics were evaluated by varying different fabric parameters in the experiment. It was found from the test results that the fabric density, thickness and weight as well as types of membranes and layers have a significant effect on those properties of the layered fabrics.