WATERPROOFING

CHEMICAL FINISH
What is waterproofing?

“Waterproofing is nothing but preventing the passage of both air and

water through a fabric.”
PURPOSE
1. For certain uses such as Tarpaulin,Umbrella,cloth,Rain coat fabric etc
2. It is required to give this type of finish as these type of fabrics are generally
used against the air and water in the normal life.
3. This finish makes the wearer feel uneasy and uncomfortable as the air
circulation is not there.
PRINCIPLE
“ A film on the surface of the fabric should be formed for the prevention of air and
water.”

When a uniform coating of suitable substances such as rubber is produced on the

surface of a fabric the interstices between the warp and weft yarns are blocked by
the continuous film or substance and both water and air will not pass through the
treated fabrics.

It is a chemical finish
Chemicals Used
1. Vulcanized natural rubber
2. Oxidized oils of varnishes
3. Polyvinyl chloro acetate
4. Polyvinylidene Chloride
5. Cellulose acetate
6. Cuprammonium hydroxide solution.
SPRAY TEST
To measure resistance of fabrics (or
garments) to wetting by water.
Applicable to any textile fabric, which
may or may not have been given a
water resistant or water-repellent
finish. This test method is not intended
for use in predicting the probably rain
penetration resistance of fabrics, since
it does not measure rain or water
penetration

AATCC Spray Tester

RECENT
ADVANCEMENTS
GORE-TEX
GORE-TEX fabrics are created by laminating
a GORE-TEX membrane to high
performance nylon and polyester face fabrics.
They come in several different grades,
including GORE-TEX Pro, GORE-TEX
Active, and just regular GORE-TEX. GORE
also offers soft shell fabric and a super light
2.5L fabric called Paclite. GORE-TEX
garments are fully seam sealed and feature a
“GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY®”
promise. Although many laminates are
waterproof, a GORE-TEX membrane is
capable of maintaining an extremely high
level of waterproofness while staying very
breathable thanks to billions of microscopic
pores that let water vapor out and prevent
liquid water from entering.
Electron microscope photography of GORE-TEX®
membrane
eVent®
Fabric and technology used by multiple companies: oleophobic protective solution is applied at a microscopic level to the PTFE
fibers and nodes, allowing the membrane to maintain its natural microporous and air permeable structure. eVent fabrics
complete line of waterproof products (ranging from 10,000-30,000 mm) feature the company’s Direct Venting technology, a
proprietary air permeable waterproof system that delivers outstanding breathability combined with windproof protection.

MemBrain®
Marmot's proprietary waterproof breathable fabric with a PU membrane features excellent performance at reasonable prices.

Polartec® NeoShell®
Fabric used by multiple companies: very supple and slightly stretchy fabric with a reported waterproof rating of ~10,000 mm
and ground-breaking breathability. Unique membrane allows two-way air exchange to facilitate water vapor evacuation. Cold
weather endurance athletes who require exceptional breathability are stoked about this fabric.
Polartec® Power Shield® Pro
A highly breathable soft shell fabric that’s waterproof enough to wear most of the time in dryer mountain climates.

Dry.Q™ Elite
Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary W/B fabric . By eliminating the thin continuous PU layer over the PTFE membrane, this
technology allows the user to vent water vapor as soon as the garment goes on, without a buildup of moisture and heat.

DryVent® (Formerly Hyvent®)

Waterproof/breathable fabric from The North Face available in several different models. TNF™ gives waterproof ratings in
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch); DryVent® 3L, for instance, is rated at 25 PSI minimum after 20 washings with a
breathability rating of 750-800 g/m2/24 hrs avg (MVTR) Upright Cup. (Keep in mind that Upright Cup numbers for a given
fabric are typically much lower than those from other testing methods).

H2No®
Patagonia’s proprietary W/B fabric, offered in 3L, 2L, and 2.5L versions. Patagonia also offers a full line of GORE-TEX®
garments.
THANK YOU