Waterproof breathable fabrics: Technologies

and practices
Laga S.K. Vignesh Dhanabalan and Joshi Rashmi M.
D.K.T.E.S Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji-416115(M.H), India
Email: swapan.laga@gmail.com, vigneshdhanabalan@hotmail.com, xpress.joshi99@gmail.com
Issue October, 2013

Volume 06, Issue 010

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This article is published in two parts, this is the second part. Please continue reading from the
previous issue.
6. Method employed for application of coating
The lamination process has to be chosen carefully to ensure that the breathability of the laminate
is
maintained
at
a
high
level.
There are four main methods of incorporating membranes into textile

Laminate of membrane and outer fabric

Liner or insert processing

Laminate of membrane and lining fabric

Laminate of outer fabric, membrane and lining

6.1 Laminating
Laminating waterproof breathable fabrics are made by application of membranes onto textile
product. They are thin membrane made from polymeric materials that offer high resistance to
water penetration but allow water vapor at the same time. The maximum pore size of the
membrane is around 10 micron. They are of two types:
1) Micro porous membranes

2) Hydrophilic membranes

Micro porous membranes have tiny holes on their surface smaller than a rain drops but larger
than water vapor molecule. Some of the membranes are made from Polytetrafluroethylene
(PTFE) polymer, Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) etc,. The hydrophilic membranes are thin films
of chemically modified polyester or polyurethane. The poly (ethylene oxide) constitutes
hydrophilic part of the membrane by forming amorphous region in the main polymer system.
This amorphous region acts as intermolecular pores allowing water vapor molecules to pass
through but, preventing the penetration of liquid water due to the solid nature of the membrane.

Fig 4: Laminated waterproof breathable fabrics

7. Breathable, Permanent Water-Repellent Treatment of Cotton
Rudolph d. Deanin made etherification on cotton to determine Breathable permanent WaterRepellent Treatment and stated that cotton fiber or fabric treated commercially with long chain
aliphatic acid chlorides in hot organic amine baths by a rapid economical process. To cause low
degrees of etherification and produce good water repellency and dry-cleaning resistance, with no
loss of vapor permeability was observed [8].
8. Nano web on water proof and breathability
Hae Wook Ahn et al studied and compared the waterproof and breathable properties of clothing
made from an electrospun nanoweb and conventional coating of PTFE, and have stated results
that, the Nano web laminate had a higher water vapor transmission rate but lower water
resistance than the polytetrafluroethylene laminate. The water penetration tests carried suggested
that water resistances are sufficient enough to prevent wetting by rain. The wearing test revealed
that Nano web laminated clothing provided more comfortable clothing-microclimate than
polytetrafluroethylene laminated clothing in normal warm environment. In the rainy test
conditions, no difference was observed between the polytetrafluroethylene and the Nano web
laminated clothing in any of the measured variables [9].
Roohollah Bagherzadeh studied Transport properties of multi-layer fabric based on electro spun
nanofibers mats as a breathable barrier textile material and found that Multi-layered electro spun
nanofibers mats equipped fabric (MENMEF) showed better performance in windproof property
better than Gortex fabric. Also, the water vapor permeability of MENMEF was in a range of
normal woven sport and work clothing. Comparisons of barrier properties of MENMEF and
conventionally PTFE coated materials showed that, the properties obtained by conventional
PTFE could be achieved by layered fabric systems with electro spun Nano fiber mats [10].
9. Water Vapor Transport through Protective Textiles at Low Temperatures

Volkmar T. Bartels et al studied on water vapor transport at low temperatures and have stated that
the moisture accumulation in clothing are much better in breathable than in non breathable
garments (These differences are highly significant on a level of at least p > 0.995). The ability to
transport water vapor and the physiological function of breathable foul weather protective
clothing existed at subzero ambient temperatures down to -20C [11].
10.1 Testing of waterproof breathable fabrics
The many methods employed to test the water vapor permeability of the fabric they are

S.no

Methodology

Sweating Guarded Hot

Plate Tests

Upright Cup Method

Inverted Cup Method

Desiccant Inverted Cup
Test Method

4
5
6
7
8

Dynamic Moisture
Permeation Cell Test

Standard

Purpose

(ISO 11092, ISO

Measurement of thermal and water-vapor resistance
1999, and ASTM
under steady-state conditions
F 1868)
Water Vapor Transmission of Materials ,
ASTM E96
permeability, plastics (general), plastic sheet and
film, sheet material
ASTM E96
E96 M-05
ASTM F 2298

Moisture vapor
transmition cell
Dynamic moisture
permeable cell
Holographic bench
technique

Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Diffusion

Resistance and Air Flow Resistance of Clothing
Materials Using the Dynamic Moisture Permeation
Moisture vapor transmition behavior of fabric
Moisture transmition capability of cell
Calculating mass flow

10.2 Waterproof Rating

Waterproof Rating
(mm)
0-5,000 mm
6,000-10,000 mm
11,000-15,000 mm
16,000-20,000 mm

Resistance provided

Withstand capabilities

No resistance to some resistance to

Light rain, dry snow, no pressure
moisture
Rainproof and waterproof under light
Light rain, average snow, light
pressure
pressure
Rainproof and waterproof except under
Moderate rain, average snow,
high pressure
light pressure
Rainproof and waterproof under high
Heavy rain, wet snow, some

20,000 mm+

pressure
Rainproof and waterproof under very high
pressure

pressure
Heavy rain, wet snow, high
pressure

10.3 Calculation of permeability index

The
permeability
index
was
developed
by
woodcock
Im
=
Rt/(LR
x
Ret)
Where Rt the total thermal resistance of the clothing plus surface air layer (m2 C/W).
Ret total evaporation resistance of the clothing plus the air layer (m2 kPa/W).
Rt/Ret

the
ratio
represents
effective
heat
transmition.
LR (lewis relation) the ratio of evaporative mass transfer coefficient.
10.4 Acceptance standard level worldwide for water repellent breathable fabrics
BS 7209 is a standard widely acceptable throughout the world for the water vapor permeable
index (WVPI). The good breathable fabric should have a minimum of 80% and lower grade
should have at least 50% WVPI.
10.5
The
relative
water
Heat loss when the fabric
Heat loss from bare measuring head

vapor
permeability
(%)
is
govern
is placed on the measuring head
X

by
100

The main requirements for WVPI are based on

Water vapor permeability index percentage.

Resistance to water penetration.

Cold cracking temperature.

Surface wetting (spray rating) after cleaning.

Similarly, for a typical breathable fabric the acceptable parameters should have

Water-vapor permeability (min 5000gm-2 for 24 hrs)

Water proofness min 130 cm (hydrostatic pressure)

Wind proofness less than 1.5 ml/cm2/second @ 1M bar

11. Labeling of a water proof fabric and the breathable characteristics

Manufacturers describe the waterproof breathability of fabrics using two numbers. The first is in
millimeters (mm) and is a measure of how waterproof a fabric is. In the case of a 10k or 10,000

mm fabric, if a square tube with inner dimensions of 1 x 1 over a piece of said fabric is set, it
will be filled with water to a height of 10,000 mm (32.8 feet) before water would begin to leak
through. The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric. The second number is to
measure how breathable the fabric is, and it is normally expressed in terms of how many grams
(g) of water vapor can pass through a square meter (m2) of the fabric from the inside to the
outside in a 24 hour period. In the case of a 20k (20,000 g) fabric, this would be 20,000 grams.
Larger the number, higher the breathability of the fabric.
12. Application of breathable fabrics in end products
12.1
Mechanical
Counter
Pressure
(MCP)
Suit.
A skin-tight suit for high tech cloth exerts pressure over the rocketers body to provide pressure.
Open pores in the suit actually allow the body to be cooled by perspiration. Tears will cause
bruising to the skin, but are not as lethal as they are on a conventional suit. These materials
provide 20% energy expenditure compared with NASA suit [13].
12.2
Air
Permeable
Outerwear
Gore tech, Polartec Neoshell and Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q allow a nominal amount of airflow,
helping to more quickly and effectively carry moisture away from your body. Meanwhile, they
remain totally water and windproof. You get breathability comparable to a soft shell and
waterproofing on par with a hard shell. You stay 100 percent dry from the inside and out.
12.3
Neoprene
sports
wear
Stomatex breathable neoprene is made from closed-cell foam neoprene. These fabrics can be
applied as laminates or loose linings according to users requirements. The product is suitable for
use wherever thermal insulation or body protection is required and comfort would normally be
compromised by sweating. It has already been used in wide-ranging application including
orthomedical supports, sports supports, back supports, equestrian underwear, surface water
sports, wetsuits, survival suits, surfing wetsuits, warm-up suits, dive suits, liners and footwear
[15].
12.4
Mountain
wear
Mountain Hardwears Dry.Q water-proof breathable fabric is among a new breed of sporting
apparel [14]

Fig 5: Breathable snow protect mountain wear

12.5 Medical Fabric Waterproof and Breathable
Eastex Medical Fabrics include 100% polyester and polyester-nylon blends offered in several
stretch and non-stretch constructions with different coatings to match specific product
requirements. Fluid-proof, breathable, antimicrobial, flame-retardant, and air-tight for
manufacturing inflatable products, these healthcare fabrics can be sewn and sonic- or RF welded.
A full line of fabrics for OEMs and contract manufacturers of healthcare products such as
wheelchair cushions, mattresses, and orthopedic braces [18].
12.6 Neo-G MEDICAL GRADE OPEN PATELLA KNEE SUPPORT breathable design
Used For strains, sprains and instability, injured, weak or arthritic knees, patellar tracking,
rehabilitation, sporting and occupational injuries

Fig 6: Neo-G knee support

12.7
3M
Conformable
Breathable
Incise
Tape
9948
The Conformable Incise Tape is a single coated medical tape consisting of a 1 mil moisture
vapor permeable plastic film coated with a hypoallergenic, pressure sensitive adhesive. They are
translucent material with very Good MVTR, high breathability and Comfortness.

Fig 7: 3M incise tape 9948

13. Conclusion
Thermal comfort remains a major comfort factor in deciding of the fabric. Thermal comfort can
be attained once when the difference in outer temperature is in parallel to the microclimate
created within the fabric. Various ventilation factors for the required end application have to be
predetermined clearly without fail because wrong usage leads to lag in comfortness.

Extensive research is required to understand the relationship between segmental ventilation and
local comfort of the fabric subjected to active usage of the person.
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