Waterproof breathable fabrics:
Waterproof fabric completely prevents the penetration and absorption of liquid water.
Breathable fabric is actively ventilated and it passively allows water vapor to diffuse through them yet prevents the penetration of liquid water.
Waterproof breathable fabrics resist water droplets from passing through while at the same time allowing water vapor through. The breathability of almost all waterproof breathable fabrics is very dependent upon weather conditions, especially temperature and humidity. Waterproof breathable fabrics are widely used in sportswear and similar Application.
Measurement of breathability
Breathability is measured by the rate at which water vapor passes through in the units of grams of water vapor per square meter of fabric per 24 hours period (g/m2/d), often abbreviated to just ‘g’.
In recent years some of the sporting goods manufacturers have begun including this information on their labels. Typical mid-range fabric tends to have values of 5000 mm of water resistance and 5000g of breathability.
Thanks
Asit Ghosh
Senior lecturer
Dept. of Textile Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, DIU
