Waterproof Breathable Fabrics Research Articles

Investigation of the effects of different needle hole covering techniques on seam characteristics of waterproof breathable fabric

PurposeStitching is the traditional method of creating seams using needles and threads. However, this is not useful for waterproof breathable garments as needle holes allow water to penetrate inside the garment, compromising its functionality. This study aims to investigate different techniques for covering the needle holes formed during stitching to achieve a seam that is waterproof, durable and functionally effective.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates different methods to cover needle holes formed during stitching with the help of seam tape, seam grip adhesive and fuser thread. The emphasis is on evaluating the seam characteristics, including seam strength, seam efficiency, puckering, bending stiffness and resistance to water penetration. Statistical analysis involves the use of the Shapiro–Wilk test, Levene statistic, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD and Tamhane post-hoc tests.FindingsThe experimental results suggest that seam tape is effective in enhancing water resistance, seam strength and seam efficiency, but it contributes to stiffness and aesthetically degrades seams due to increased puckering. Meanwhile, the use of fuser thread presents an alternative, exhibiting improved waterproof properties compared to regular stitching. It offers more flexibility and less puckering compared to seam tape.Originality/valueThis study contributes novel insights by shifting the focus from alternative seaming methods such as bonding and welding, to enhancing traditional stitching for waterproof seam construction. While prior research primarily explored alternatives to stitching, this study uniquely addresses the effectiveness of different techniques in covering needle holes to achieve waterproof seams. The findings provide valuable information for enhancing the functionality of stitched seams in the production of waterproof breathable garments.

The rise of sustainable approaches in development of waterproof breathable fabrics for garment: a systematic literature review

PurposeThe aim of this study is to present an overview of sustainable practices in the development of waterproof breathable fabrics for garments. It aims to provide insights into the current state of academic research in this domain and identify and analyze major sustainable trends in the field.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducts a thorough examination of research publications sourced from the Scopus database spanning the years 2013–2023 by employing a systematic approach. The research utilizes both descriptive analysis and content analysis to identify trends, notable journals and leading countries in sustainable waterproof breathable fabric development.FindingsThe study reveals a notable increase in studies focusing on sustainable approaches in the development of waterproof breathable fabrics for garments. Descriptive analysis highlights the most prominent journal and leading country in terms of research volume. Content analysis identifies four key trends: minimizing chemical usage, developing easily degradable materials, creating fabrics promoting health and well-being and initiatives to reduce energy consumption.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this research lies in its exclusive reliance on the Scopus database.Practical implicationsThe insights derived from this study offer practical guidance for prospective researchers interested in investigating sustainable approaches to developing waterproof breathable fabric for garments. The identified trends provide a foundation for aligning research endeavors with contemporary global perspectives, facilitating the integration of sustainable methodologies into the garment industry.Originality/valueThis systematic literature review contributes original insights by synthesizing current research trends and outlining evolving sustainable practices in the development of waterproof breathable fabrics. The identification of key focus areas adds a novel perspective to existing knowledge.

Development of a multi-layered waterproof breathable fabric for full-weather apparel

In this research, a laminate was produced by assembling five textile layers. These layers were a coated double-sided knitted structure, a non-woven fabric, a hydrophilic membrane that was thermally assembled to a surface veil, and an open-work knitted fabric. The laminated textile's breathability, windproofness, and waterproofness were evaluated. The multi-layered fabric was windproof, and its water vapor permeability was 347.297 g?m-2?s-1 (CV= 8.902%). Its resistance to water penetration was equal to 117.68 Schmerber (CV = 7.81%). The assembled fabric's mechanical properties were also evaluated. Young?s modulus values were equal to 2 MPa (CV= 8.613%) and 1.6 MPa (CV= 8.349%) for both fabric directions. Its flexural rigidity was 5056.659 mg?cm and its surface total deformation was lower than 450 ?m when measured under 20, 40, 60, and 80 mN loads. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the developed multi-layered fabric could be used to produce raincoats and jackets to protect the wearer from light rain and drizzle.

Review of Waterproof Breathable Membranes: Preparation, Performance and Applications in the Textile Field.

Waterproof breathable membranes (WBMs) characterized by a specific internal structure, allowing air and water vapor to be transferred from one side to the other while preventing liquid water penetration, have attracted much attention from researchers. WBMs combine lamination and other technologies with textile materials to form waterproof breathable fabrics, which play a key role in outdoor sports clothing, medical clothing, military clothing, etc. Herein, a systematic overview of the recent progress of WBMs is provided, including the principles of waterproofness and breathability, common preparation methods and the applications of WBMs. Discussion starts with the waterproof and breathable mechanisms of two different membranes: hydrophilic non-porous membranes and hydrophobic microporous membranes. Then evaluation criteria and common preparation methods for WBMs are presented. In addition, treatment processes that promote water vapor transmission and prominent applications in the textile field are comprehensively analyzed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of WBMs are also explored.

Investigating Waterproofness and Breathability of a Coated Double-Sided Knitted Fabric

The demand for waterproof breathable fabrics is increasing globally and so are efforts to develop such garments. In this paper, the development of a waterproof breathable textile by coating a double face knitted fabric is described. The applied polymeric coating is a mixture of an acrylic paste and a fluorocarbon resin. The aim of this study was the investigation of the breathability and waterproofness of the coated samples. The coating was made of industrialized chemical products and did not require water use. The screen coating process wastewater was also reduced. Three parameters related to the coating process were analyzed and optimized. These parameters were the fluorocarbon resin quantity (%), acrylic paste quantity (g·m−2), and reticulation time (min). The analyzed responses were the air permeability, windproofness, water vapor permeability, and resistance to water penetration. The optimized values of air permeability and water vapor permeability were equal to 154.81 L·m−2·s−1 and 83.852%, respectively. These values were judged acceptable when compared with commercialized products. The windproofness and the resistance to water penetration were equal to 161.81 L·m−2·s−1 and 78.51 Schmerber, respectively. Thus, both responses still need to be improved in order to obtain waterproofness properties. Based on the obtained results, the coated fabric can be used as a laminate outer layer for producing waterproof breathable fabrics.

Thermally stable poly(urethane‐imide)s with enhanced hydrophilicity for waterproof‐breathable textile coatings

AbstractThermally stable, waterproof, hydrophilic, breathable poly(urethane‐imide) (PUI) films were prepared as a potential replacement for the existing polyurethanes (PU) with a lower degree of thermal stability for waterproof breathable clothing. Hydrophilic PUI films were prepared by reacting 4,4′‐ diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polyethylene glycol (PEG‐1500), and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), with increasing hard segment (46%–61%) and compared with polyurethane films with similar PEG content. The breathability of PUI film is significantly higher than the PU film (~20%). Interestingly, despite the high degree of water sorption, the PUI films exhibited higher waterproofness (~85%) than the PU, which has been attributed to the presence of imide functionalities. The thermal stability of PUI was higher (Tmax1 ~ 420°C, Tmax2 ~ 600°C and char yield 21%) than the analogous PU (Tmax1 ~ 360°C, Tmax2 ~ 420°C, and char yield 6%). The waterproofness, water contact angle, and glass transition temperature are found to increase with increasing imide content, while the water sorption capacity and breathability decrease. The developed PUI coated fabric withstood hydrostatic pressure of ~3000 mbar, with a WVTR of 1200 g m−2 24 h−1, bestowing it excellent candidature as a waterproof breathable fabric.

Moisture barrier layer with supplemental chemical and biological protective functionality for firefighting clothing applications

One of the primary constituent layers of fire protective clothing is a flame-retardant, waterproof and breathable moisture barrier, which permits the outward transfer of perspiration from the firefighter’s body, while barring the inward entry of water. The introduction of a chemical and biological resistant functionality can greatly enhance the overall applicability of fire protective clothing. In the present work, a chemical & biological resistant waterproof breathable flame retardant moisture barrier fabric was prepared by laminating a biaxially stretched microporous expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) membrane with Activated Carbon Fabric using a hot melt reactive breathable polyurethane adhesive. The developed laminate was found to exhibit an excellent balance of waterproofness (23 kPa) and breathability, which was quantified in terms of water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and water vapour resistance (Ret). High values of WVTR, 1.1025 × 104 ± 9.8×101 g/m2/day complimented with exceptionally low values of Ret, 2.9 m2Pa/W are indicative of its high degree of breathability. Vertical flammability tests clearly revealed the exceptional flame resistance offered by the laminate, where after-flame, after-glow or melt-dripping was not observed and the char length was ∼4.2 cm. Further, the laminate exhibited requisite degree of protection against biological and chemical warfare (CW) agent with no breakthrough of the CW agent being perceived within the time frame of 24 h. The excellent combination of flame retardancy, breathability, waterproofness, chemical and biological protection, bestows the laminate excellent potential for usage as moisture barrier in fire protective clothing applications.

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

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.

Thermal property analysis of tri layer composite fabric towards the utility of sleeping bag

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate on composite fabrics to develop the improved sleeping bag using trilayered textile structures. A thermal comfort analysis of fabrics is essential to design an enhanced type of sleeping bag.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, optimizing thermal and permeability properties of different combinations of trilayer composite fabrics was done. The inner layer was 100% wool-knitted single jersey fabric. The middle layer was polyester needle punched non-woven fabric. The outermost layer was nylon-based Core-Tex branded waterproof breathable fabric. Five variations in wool-knitted samples were developed by changing the loop length and yarn count to optimize the best possible combination. Two different polyester non-woven fabrics have been produced with the changes in bulk density. Twelve trilayer composite fabric samples have been produced, and thermal comfort properties such as thermal conductivity, thermal absorptivity, thermal resistance, air permeability and relative water vapour permeability have been analysed.FindingsAmong the 12 samples, one optimized sample has been found with the specification of 100% wool with 25 Tex yarn linear density having 4.432-mm loop length inner-layered fabric, 96 g/m2 polyester nonwoven fabric as the middle layer, and 220 g/m2 Nylon-Core tex branded outermost layer. All the functional properties of the composite fabric are significantly different with the knitted wool fabrics and polyester nonwoven fabrics, which have been confirmed by analysis of variance study.Originality/valueThis research work supports for producing sleeping bag with enhanced comfort level.

Tri‐Layer Laminated Fabric‐Induced Sweating Surfaces for Passive Cooling

AbstractFabrics which can keep people cool in a hot climate have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Among various cooling strategies, fabric cooling by water evaporation is proved to be very safe, simple and sustainable. Here, a tri‐layer laminated fabric (TLF) inspired by perspiration is designed to realize passive cooling of human body. An interlayer fabric which is coated with crosslinked sodium polyacrylate can absorb and store a large amount of water. A moisture‐absorbing and quick‐drying fabric is used as the outer layer while a waterproof breathable fabric is used on the inside of the laminate in contact with skin. The prepared TLF shows decent evaporative cooling performance under dry heat conditions. The water absorbency of TLF is about 400% higher than that of pristine cotton after 1 h soaking in water. Under a 1 sun irradiation (1000 W m−2), the indoor temperature of a simulated room can be reduced by ≈5–7 °C compared with the other without a cooling system. Meanwhile, the evaporative cooling effect can be maintained up to 5 h. This cooling fabric shows broad application prospects in the fields of thermal cooling to human and buildings.

Facile method for tent fabrics with eco-friendly/durable properties using waterborne polyurethane/lignin: Preparation and evaluation

In this paper, a novel facile strategy is reported for fabricating an environment friendly, aging-resistant, and waterproof-breathable fabric using a “pad-knife” coating technique and waterborne polyurethane (WPU) containing isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and lignin as an antioxidant agent. Morphology, hydrophobic property, accelerated weathering aging property and artificial degradation performance as well as water vapor transmission and tensile property are characterized. Results show that, IPDI can effectively prevent PU discoloration. Lignin amount affects the morphological structure, tearing strength, WVTR and hydrostatic pressure capability of coated fabrics. Moreover, a 2% lignin addition provides fabrics with enhanced waterproof-breathable properties and tearing strength performance compared with pure WPU coated fabrics after accelerated weathering exposure. The facile coating technology can be applied to protective and functional textiles for military and civil polyester tents.

Degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid by zero-valent iron nanoparticles under ultraviolet light

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is ubiquitous in the environment because of its wide applications in aqueous film forming foam, food packing, waterproof breathable fabrics, and Teflon products. Though it is resistant to biodegradation, photocatalytic degradation has been proven possible. In this study, zero-valent iron nanoparticles (Fe0 NPs), with or without 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating, were used for PFOA degradation under ultraviolet C (UVC) light for the first time. PFOA was degraded faster initially (e.g., < 13 h) with Fe0 NPs than without Fe0 NPs under UVC light. In addition, the degradation rate using Fe0 NPs without coating was higher than that with 1% PVP coating in the initial 6 h, although the difference was diminished afterwards. Both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions were detected during the process. Shorter-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), i.e., PFHpA, PFHxA, PFPeA, and PFBA, were detected as main intermediates; fluoride ions (F−) were also detected. Rapid consumption of Fe3+ (plus the lower UV–vis absorption intensity observed for a mixture of PFOA and FeCl3 compared to the intensity observed for FeCl3 alone) indicated the possible formation of [C7F15COO-Fe]2+—a degradable complex. The UV/Fe0 system is superior, with low toxicity of iron and no introduction of other chemicals. Additionally, the cost of Fe0 NPs is low, and the recycle of Fe0 NPs is easy from the treated water by their magnetic properties. The study provided an innovative, environment-friendly, and low-cost method for PFOA degradation by Fe0 NPs under UVC light, which could be potentially applied for treatment of surface water and groundwater contaminated by PFOA.

Hot-melt Adhesive Bonding of Polyurethane/Fluorinated Polyurethane/Alkylsilane-Functionalized Graphene Nanofibrous Fabrics with Enhanced Waterproofness, Breathability, and Mechanical Properties.

Waterproof-breathable (WB) materials with outstanding waterproofness, breathability, and mechanical performance are critical in diverse consumer applications. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes with thin fiber diameters, small pore sizes, and high porosity have attracted significant attention in the WB fabric field. Hot-press treatment technology can induce the formation of inter-fiber fusion structures and hence improve the waterproofness and mechanical performance. By combining electrospinning and hot-press treatment technology, polyurethane/fluorinated polyurethane/thermoplastic polyurethane/alkylsilane-functionalized graphene (PU/FPU/TPU/FG) nanofiber WB fabric was fabricated. Subsequently, the morphologies, porous structure, hydrostatic pressure, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and stress–strain behavior of the nanofiber WB fabric were systematically investigated. The introduction of the hydrophobic FG sheet structure and the formation of the inter-fiber fusion structure greatly improved not only the waterproofness but also the mechanical performance of the nanofiber WB fabric. The optimized PU/FPU/TPU-50/FG-1.5 WB fabric exhibited an excellent comprehensive performance: a high hydrostatic pressure of 80.4 kPa, a modest WVTR of 7.6 kg m−2 d−1, and a robust tensile stress of 127.59 MPa, which could be used to achieve various applications. This work not only highlights the preparation of materials, but also provides a high-performance nanofiber WB fabric with huge potential application prospects in various fields.

Development and Surface State Characterization of a Spacer Waterproof Breathable Fabric

This research reports the designing and the optimization of a waterproof breathable fabric. A new waterproof breathable fabric made by coating a double sided spacer knit with a mixture of an acrylic paste and a fluorocarbon resin is presented. The treated fabric can be used for producing outdoor garments. The surface states of treated samples were characterized by using the assessment of the coating add-on (%), water contact angle (°), surface free energy (mN·m−1), and roughness (mm). The main coating process parameters were studied by using the Box-Behnken experimental design. It was proved that the quantity of acrylic paste (g·m−2) and the reticulation time (min) have the most significant effect on the coating add-on value (%). The surface free energy (mN·m−1) is affected by the three studied factors. Roughness was also evaluated before and after the coating treatment. However, no significant variation in values was noticed. Optimum responses are obtained with 2.71 % of fluorocarbon resin, 412.00 g·m−2 of acrylic paste, and a reticulation time equal to 13.52 minutes. Optimized values for the coating add-on, SFE, and roughness are equal to 79.716 %, 29.17 mN·m−1, and 0.058 mm, respectively.

Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of Waterproof Breathable Fabric Produced by a Coating Process

The purpose of this research was to evaluate mechanical properties of a waterproof breathable fabric. A spacer knit with a cotton inner face and a polyester (PET) outer face was coated in order to obtain a waterproof breathable fabric. The applied coat was a mixture of an acrylic paste and a fluorocarbon resin. The treated fabric has undergone several tests to evaluate its mechanical properties. Tensile strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, and wrinkle recovery behavior were measured and discussed. After the coating treatment, the fabric was rigidified by 25% and 19% in wale and course directions, respectively. The coated PET face of the spacer fabric was not altered even after 125,000 abrasion cycles. A stiffer fabric was obtained after the coating treatment. However, fabric recovery behavior was ameliorated by 78% and 72% according to wale and course directions, respectively. The coated fabric can be used to produce raincoats and jackets.

Evaluation of the Moisture Transfer Property of Waterproof Breathable Fabric Under Low-Temperature Conditions Depending on the Pore Size and Distribution

The moisture transfer properties of four types of waterproof breathable fabrics with different pore sizes and distributions under low temperatures were examined. The structure, thickness, and pore shape of the fabric by scanning electron microscopy and capillary flow porometer compared depending on the manufacturing method. The effects of these parameters on the wearing comfort as determined by water vapor transmission rate and analyzing the temperature/humidity changes in the microclimate using the human–clothing–environment simulator. The coating type membrane was the thickest, whereas the nano web specimen was the thinnest. The results showed that at subzero temperatures, there was little difference in the vapor pressure change of the microclimate depending on the pore size. In the case of the waterproof breathable fabric produced in various forms depending on the function, however, the evaluation should performed based on the actual clothing wearing conditions, rather than in the standard state, is needed.

Investigation on hydrostatic resistance and thermal performance of layered waterproof breathable fabrics

Waterproof breathable layered fabrics allow water vapor passing through, but resist liquid water to pass. This ability of the fabrics to protect rain and snow water while allowing sweat vapor to evaporate from inside to outside atmosphere, leads them to be used as outdoor sportswear or protective clothing. The big challenge of enhanced hydrostatic resistance of these fabrics with proper breathability and thermal comfort has widened the research scope. This study presents an experimental investigation on hydrostatic resistance and thermal behavior of layered waterproof breathable fabrics. Six different types of hydrophobic and hydrophilic membrane laminated layered fabrics were evaluated by varying different fabric parameters in the experiment. Hydrostatic resistance and water vapor permeability of the laminated fabrics were measured by SDL ATLAS Hydrostatic Head Tester and PERMETEST respectively. Thermal properties were evaluated by ALAMBETA instrument. Moreover, FX-3300 air permeability tester was used to measure air permeability which represents the porosity of the fabrics and computer based See System software was used for water contact angle measurement on the outer fabric surface in order to determine the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. This experiment clearly discusses the influence of different fabric characteristics and parameters on hydrostatic resistance and thermal properties of the breathable laminated fabrics. The results show that fabric material composition, density, thickness, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic membranes have significant effects on hydrostatic resistance, breathability and thermal properties of different laminated fabrics.

Application of waterproof breathable fabric in thermal protective clothing exposed to hot water and steam

A hot water and steam tester was used to examine thermal protective performance of waterproof and breathable fabric against hot water and steam hazards. Time to cause skin burn and thermal energy absorbed by skin during exposure and cooling phases was employed to characterize the effect of configuration, placing order and properties of waterproof and breathable fabric on the thermal protective performance. The difference of thermal protective performance due to hot water and steam hazards was discussed. The result showed that the configuration of waterproof and breathable fabric presented a significant effect on the thermal protective performance of single- and double-layer fabric system, while the difference between different configurations in steam hazard was greater than that in hot water hazard. The waterproof and breathable fabric as outer layer provided better protection than that as inner layer. Increasing thickness and moisture regain improved the thermal protective performance of fabric system. Additionally, the thermal energy absorbed by skin during the cooling phase was affected by configuration, thickness and moisture regain of fabric. The findings will provide technical data to improve performance of thermal protective clothing in hot water and steam hazards.

Electrospun waterproof breathable membrane with a high level of aerosol filtration

ABSTRACTIn this study, several nanofibrous polyurethane (PU) webs were electrospun (ES) by changing different effective parameters (e.g., polymeric concentration, voltage, feed flow, etc.). The physical–chemical properties of the webs (i.e., average fiber diameters, thickness, areal density, porosity, contact angle, waterproofness, air permeability (AP), water vapor transmittance, and aerosol filtration) were studied based on the standard test methods. A commercially available waterproof breathable (WPB) fabric was used as a reference for benchmarking. The beads‐free webs with an average fiber diameter as small as 200 nm were achieved from electrospinning of 10 wt % PU inN,N‐dimethylformamide, at feed rate of 0.5 mL/h, applied voltage of 25 kV, and tip‐to‐collector distance of 15 cm. By optimizing the electrospinning parameters, a web with a high level of waterproofness, high AP, and high water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) was obtained. In addition, the selected ES membrane showed very promising aerosol filtration efficiency with complete removal of particles larger than 0.5 µm, and 94% reduction in the concentration of smaller particles. We found a linear empirical equation for the estimation of AP and WVTR based on the average pore size diameter, the membrane thickness, and the porosity with very high regression coefficients (R2 &gt; 0.97). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 45660.

Synthesis of polymeric electrospun nanofibers for application in waterproof-breathable fabrics

This study focuses waterproof-breathable fabric development by applying electrospun web of polyurethane (PU), PAN, and PES directly onto the substrate fabric. Advantages of textile fabrics of elastomeric nanofibrous membranes over gortex specimen are the mass production feasibility, high elastomeric properties, more body comfort parameters, and fabric production without holes and needle traces formation. In this work, we identified the PU nanofibrous membrane as the best and useful web for application in waterproof-breathable fabrics. Air permeability, water vapor transport rate, and resistance to water penetration average value for the prepared PU fibers web (sample of S1) were about 10 ml/s, 430 g/m2/24 h, 15 cm H2O. To improve waterproof-breathable characteristics of the membrane, the effects of electrospinning parameters on the fibers morphology and waterproof-breathable characteristics were investigated. PU concentration of 12% (w/w) and electrospinning voltage of 12 kV were identified as optimal conditions to reach uniform and fine PU nanofibers formation without any beads. Air permeability, water vapor transport rate, and resistance to water penetration average value for the final sample were recorded as about 2.5 ml/s, 840 g/m2/24 h, and 44 cm H2O, correspondingly. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 56:143–149, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers