Water Repellency/Proof/Vapor Permeability Characteristics of Coated and Laminated Breathable Fabrics for Outdoor Clothing

Hyun-Ah Kim

doi:10.3390/coatings12010012

Abstract

This study examined the water repellency (WR), waterproof, and water vapor permeability (WVP) characteristics of twelve types of laminated and coated woven fabrics for outdoor clothing. These characteristics were compared with the fabric structural parameters, such as cover factor, thickness, and weight, and surface modification (finishing) factors, such as coating, laminating, and Teflon treatments. In addition, an eco-friendly process for surface modification was proposed followed by a summary. Superior waterproof-breathable characteristics with 100% water-repellency were achieved in specimen 3 in group A by treatment with a hydrophilic laminated finish using nylon woven fabric with a cover factor between 0.7 and 0.9 in a 2.5-layered fabric, which was the best specimen with waterproof-breathable characteristics. A high WVP in the coated and laminated fabrics was observed in the fabrics with a low weave density coefficient (WDC) and low thickness per unit weight of the fabric, whereas superior water repellency and waterproof characteristics were observed in the high-cover-factor (WDC) fabric with appropriate fabric thickness. The determination coefficient (R2) from regression analysis between the WVP and fabric structural parameters indicated a higher contribution of the fabric structural parameters than surface modification factors, such as coating and laminating to the WVP in the coated and laminated fabrics. Furthermore, the cover factor was the most important factor influencing the WVP of the waterproof-breathable fabrics. Of twelve coated and laminated fabrics, the laminated nylon and nylon/cotton composite fabrics showed superior WVP with high WR and waterproof characteristics. Accordingly, based on the WR, waterproof, and WVP characteristics of the coated and laminated breathable fabrics, the laminating method, as an eco-friendly process, is recommended to obtain better waterproof-breathable fabrics.

Highlights

Waterproofness measures the resistance of a fabric to the penetration of water under hydrostatic pressure [6], which is called a hydrostatic pressure (HP) test
These results suggest that the 100% water repellency of high-density nylon fabric is due to the Teflon finish, but, even with a Teflon finish, the waterproof characteristics could not be obtained as with the high-density one-layer fabric
Superior waterproof-breathable characteristics with 100% water-repellency were achieved by treatment with a hydrophilic laminated finish using nylon woven fabric with a cover factor between 0.7 and 0.9 in a 2.5-layered fabric, which was the best specimen with waterproof-breathable characteristics

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Consumers who are regularly involved in outdoor activities, such as sports and leisure, or subjected to extreme conditions (snow, rain, cold, and wind) require multifunctional clothing [1], and the global market for waterproof-breathable textiles is growing annually. Such clothing should keep the wearer dry and comfortable under cold, hot, and wet conditions. Waterproofing and water-vapor-permeable (breathable) fabrics are used and marketed by various outdoor clothing companies with worldwide brands. Waterproofing and breathability are commonly combined and used to imply both concepts, they are entirely different

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