When a material is 'waterproof', it fits into criteria outlined by a governing specification and clear conditions of a laboratory test. In essence, waterproof fabrics are materials that are resistant to penetration by water. This type of waterproof fabric is an invaluable tool when it comes to making household goods, outdoor clothing, shoes and other lifestyle equipment. Waterproofing agents can adhere to the material during the manufacturing process. The end product may then be 'waterproof'. Let's explore some of the most common types of waterproof fabric that are in circulation today.
Nyttige vilkår vedrørende vandtæt stof
Før vi dykker dybt ned i vandtæt stof, er det vigtigt at skelne mellem nogle få relaterede, men ikke identiske termer med hensyn til stof. Du er måske stødt på disse udtryk før, når du køber møbler til dit hjem, interiørtilbehør eller tøj. At forstå forskellen vil give dig en indlysende idé om, hvad et vandtæt stof er.
Vandtæt forklaret
When a fabric is waterproof, it is impenetrable to water to an extent. Its ability to repel water is measured by testing how much pressure it can take before water begins to seep through. Fabric can only be referred to as waterproof if it possesses sealed seams. Provided it has that quality it can be considered waterproof. The quality of the enclosures and seals will determine how waterproof a product is. An excellent example of waterproof fabric is polyester fabric; this is a material that is highly unlikely to absorb moisture. We can weave polyester tightly to prevent water from passing through it. So it is very effective for producing household items such as beanbags and furniture.
Vandafvisende forklaret
Fremstillingsprocessen for vand-afvisende stof gør det ret svært for vand at trænge ind i stoffet. Vandafvisende produkter har normalt en form for belægning i stedet for at omfatte selve stoffet.
Vandtæt forklaret
Denne type stof modstår vandindtrængning. Det vil ikke holde dig tør i ekstremt vejr, måske en meget let regnskyl. Disse typer stoffer giver en minimal mængde beskyttelse.
Så vandtætning er det højeste beskyttelsesniveau, du kan få mod fugt. Nedenfor diskuterer vi vand-afvisende stoffer mere detaljeret.
Hvordan laves vandtæt stof?
Before we explore the different types of waterproof fabrics, let's take a look at their construction. A membrane is a layer of waterproof material bonded to the outer shell of a product or piece of equipment. The main types of waterproof, breathable fabrics, also known as WPB fabrics, consider two types of membrane. The first one is PU which stands for polyurethane, and the second is an ePTFE membrane or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Bob Gore udviklede og skabte det allerførste ePTFE-stof i 1978. Han kaldte det Gore-Tex. Vi vil diskutere Gore-Tex mere detaljeret nedenfor.
I det væsentlige fandt Bob Gore ud af, at når han strakte PTFE, dannede det en vandtæt overflade med millioner af bittesmå porer. Disse porer er 700 gange større end et vanddampmolekyle og 20,000 gange mindre end et vandmolekyle. Forskellen i størrelse betyder, at flydende vand ikke er i stand til at trænge gennem membranen. Men gasformig vanddamp kan.
PU belægning på stof has no pores, which makes it less breathable than ePTFE. Polyurethane also attracts water to the surface. The skin repels moisture in a process called molecular wicking. PU membranes don't always function well in damp and humid environments, although many manufacturers are developing a more breathable version of this fabric.
8 Common Types Of Fabric – Are They All Technically Waterproof?
1. Lamineret bomuld
Laminerede stoffer som bomuld er udbredte og effektive. Bomulden får en tynd vandtæt belægning for at gøre den vandtæt. Denne version af vandtætning er også meget mere miljøvenlig end andre kilder, da den ene side er et naturligt stof. Lamineret stof er ideelt til hatte, jakker og skitøj; det fungerer godt under ekstreme vejrforhold. Et vand-afvisende lag er bundet til bagsiden af bomulden, hvilket forbedrer vandtætningen. Selvom stoffet bliver mindre formbart efter denne proces, skaber det en stærk struktur og er stadig meget åndbart.
2. Polyester og nylon
When they stand alone, polyester and nylon aren't waterproof in their own right, but they are water-resistant due to their tightly knit weave. Again, a special coating can make them waterproof; a layer of polyurethane on the interior of the fabric allows it to withstand rain and other water splashes. Polyester and nylon are much less breathable, and they aren't quite as strong as others. Ripstop nylon fabric can't go unnoticed as one of the sturdiest in this particular material family. In the second World War, they even used it to create parachutes due to its waterproof and rip-proof qualities.
3. Vinyl og plastik
Dette er gode eksempler på vandtætte, kunstige materialer, som du kan finde i mange husholdningsartikler. Fra dækkeservietter til kosmetiktasker er denne type stof meget vandtæt. Det forhindrer ikke kun vand i at sive igennem, men det er også lige så hårdt, som det er fleksibelt, hvilket giver dig det bedste fra begge verdener.
4.TPU
Termoplastisk polyurethan er meget blød, smidig og mere miljøvenlig end andre muligheder såsom PUL eller polyurethanlaminat. Dette vandtætte materiale er godt til genanvendelige bleer på grund af dets absorberende og behagelige karakter.
5. Polyester Fleece
Fleece er klassificeret som et vand-afvisende stof, så længe det er tykt nok. Fleece er en anden type stof, der er nyttig til det yderste lag af stofbleer. Omhyggelig påføring af en vandafvisende belægning kan gøre fleece mere vandafvisende-, end det er naturligt.
6. Polyurethanlaminat (PUL)
Polyurethanlaminat er stoffet af alle stoffer, der er vandtætte i sig selv. PUL er et polyesterstof, der har en plastikbagside bestående af et tyndt vandtæt lag. Polyurethan Laminate er et fuldstændig vandtæt stof, samt at det er åndbart og fleksibelt. Det bedste ved polyester PUL er, at det er tyndt, glat, og det kan vaskes mange gange uden at forårsage skader.
7. Uld
One of the main advantages of wool is that it is entirely natural and it's water-resistant. Although it may not be fully waterproof, you can add a coat of lanolin and improve its protection significantly. Boiled wool is extremely water-resistant as the boiling process makes the fabric thicker and denser.
8. Voksedug
Voksedug er i bund og grund en hørdug med en belægning af kogt hørfrøolie for at gøre den fuldstændig vandtæt. I moderne-dag kan voksdug fremstilles ved hjælp af bomuldsmateriale plus et klart vinyllag over toppen. Voksedug er lav vedligeholdelse; tørre rent materiale, der bruges til duge, tasker og køkkentilbehør.
Topmærket vandtætte stoffer
Whether you're looking to buy furniture or invest in new protective clothing, you may want to keep an eye out for some of the hottest brands when it comes to waterproof fabric. Here are the top branded waterproof fabrics that you can buy right now.
Gore-Tex
The best in the industry and the most popular when it comes to waterproof fabric is most definitely Gore-Tex. It is a brand recognised across households across the globe, and it's because they are one of the first and top-performing waterproof fabric creators. Gore-Tex fabrics utilise an ePTFE membrane with an extremely thin polyurethane coating to create a waterproof, breathable fabric. These fabrics are available in standard 2L and 3L constructions, along with a Gore-Tex precise lining construction. Paired with one of Gore-Tex's patented backing options, these constructions offer protection from leisure activities to professional sporting and outdoor events.
Gore-Tex has a 'guarantee to keep you dry' promise, which gives peace of mind to any customer thinking of investing in one of their waterproof products. Gore-Tex creates its products with the future in mind; they promise that your product will remain protective for its entire lifetime. GoreTex works alongside a wide range of outdoor apparel brands including The North Face Marmot and Patagonia.
Pertex Shield
Pertex Shield uses a PU laminate rather than an ePTFE membrane to keep it's fabric waterproof. The wide range of options with Pertex Shield is outstanding; they offer fabrics suitable for all sorts of conditions, from intense outdoor sports to long hikes. Pertex Shield also partners with brands such as The North Face.
Polartec Neoshell
The membrane of the Polartec Neoshell uses a porous polyurethane. Polartec Neoshell was initially referred to as a waterproof, breathable fabric for outdoor adventurers who thrive on physical activity. As well as letting water vapour pass through, Neoshell also moves air through the membrane via convection. This makes Neoshell an air-permeable membrane. It has to be noted that this was the first company to do so. Many argue that eVent is much more permeable and it's been out longer, but it was still the first to outwardly advertise itself in this way.
Ud over sine vandtætte, åndbare egenskaber har Neoshell-membranen også en fire-strækfunktion, der siges at være mere behagelig at have på end andre sammenlignelige hårdere beklædningsgenstande. En række topmærker samarbejder ofte med Polartec Neoshell såsom Altra, Marmot og Eddie Bauer. Neoshell fortsætter også med at forgrene sig og skabe vandtæt åndbart stof.
En håndfuld andre top vandtætte materialemærker at være opmærksom på inkluderer OutDry Extreme, H2No, DryVent, AscentShell, Dry Q og Marmot.
Vandtæt stof rundt-op
Hopefully, you have discovered everything you need to know about the different types of waterproof fabric and how they come in useful in your day to day life. Whether you're choosing outerwear for a big adventure or you're looking for a stylish new beanbag for your home, you now know what constitutes a high quality, waterproof product.
Hvis du er ude og shoppe efter den bedste type stof, eller du vil sikre dig, at din nye investering er vandtæt, så sørg for at tjekke vurderingerne for åndbarhed og vandtæthed. Der findes en række forskellige tests, som gør processen lidt forvirrende, men denne information vil give dig alt, hvad du behøver at vide om, hvor vandtæt produktet er.
Essentially, most fabrics can be made waterproof as long as the right type of layer or backing is added to it. There are different fabrics for unique purposes, so if you're looking to get crafty and start making your own waterproof clothing and accessories, then you know where to begin!
