Waterproof, usually a membrane type, is simply defined as: water cannot pass through. Because all the holes are closed, these fabrics are also impermeable to air, so they can be made into high-density waterproof items, such as vinyl plastic film for raincoats, which are typical “waterproof” fabrics. But please be detailed. Strictly speaking, “waterproof” has no concept of waterproof degree. On the premise that the material is not damaged, it is either waterproof or not waterproof.
Water Resistant belongs to high-density and high-density (not windproof but good air permeability) and membrane type that uses coating Gore-tex and additives to repellent water (wind proof but not good air permeability). Water Resistant refers to the ability of a fabric to prevent it from being wetted by water and prevent it from passing through. The AATCC defines 3 methods for measuring water repellency: TM 35 “Rain Test”, TM 42 “Impact Penetration Test” and TM 127 “Hydrostatic Pressure Test”. The tension of the test is to make a clear distinction between the “water resistance” of the fabric and the hydrophobicity of the fabric/fiber. The water resistance of the fabric is related to the hydrophobicity, thickness, shape, weave, the spatial structure of the fabric, and the size of the micropores of the fiber or yarn.
Water Repellent refers to the Water Repellent defined in the AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) technical specifications (AATCC Technical Manual), which refers to the ability of the fabric to prevent it from being wetted by water, usually using two A test method, “Spray Test” as defined in AATCC TM 22 (TM: Test Method, Test Method) and “Tumble Jar Dynamic Absorption Test” as defined in TM 70. Through testing, we can evaluate the relative hydrophobicity of the fabric, usually with a value of 0~100 to reveal the performance. Generally speaking, fabrics with a hydrophobicity of 80~90 can be labeled as “Water Repellent”.
Post time: Jul-08-2022