Analysis of waterproof and moisture permeability/PTFE/teflon
2023-08-21
Waterproof breathable membrane products
The types of breathable membranes are mainly divided into: microporous hydrophobic membranes and non-porous hydrophilic membranes.
Microporous hydrophobic membranes utilize the material's pores to allow moisture to pass through directly, achieving direct breathability.
Non-porous hydrophilic membranes, on the other hand, use their hydrophilic properties to first absorb moisture and convert it into water molecules. Then, through diffusion and moisture transport, the moisture is dispersed into the atmosphere, achieving indirect breathability.
The main types of products can be classified into three categories:
1. Microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane.
2. Thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) membrane.
3. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane.
Within the category of microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane, there are single-component and dual-component products. For thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) membrane, there are non-porous and microporous products.
Performance Comparison Using Waterproof and Moisture-permeable Films
Breathable Membrane
PTFE
PTFE Coating PU
PU
PU
TPU
Type
Microporous Hydrophobic
Non-porous Hydrophobic
Microporous Hydrophobic
Non-porous Hydrophilic
Non-porous Hydrophilic
Breathability Mechanism
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
JIS L1099 A1
Initial Breathability
g/m2/day
≥ 10000
7000 ~ 10000
7000 ~ 10000
≥ 5000
500 ~ 2000
JIS L1092 B
Initial Water Resistance
mmH2O
25000 ~ 30000
≥ 30000
7000 ~15000
10000 ~ 20000
10000 ~ 20000
Air Permeability
Y
N
Y
N
N
Abrasion Resistance
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Minimum Operating Temperature
℃
-100
-30
-30
-30
-30
Maximum Operating Temperature
℃
200
100
100
100
100
Odor Barrier
N
Y
N
Y
Y
Remark: All technical information and recommendations are based on JNS's previous experience and test results. JNS provides this information to the best of its knowledge and assumes no legal liability. Customers must verify the suitability and availability for their specific applications. The performance of the product can only be determined when all necessary operating data is available.
Processing types of waterproof breathable fabric
The main processing methods to make waterproof breathable fabrics by combining waterproof breathable membranes with fabric surface/inner layers are: coating transfer and lamination bonding.
Coating transfer involves uniformly coating a polymer (such as PU or TPU resin) onto release paper and then transferring the coating onto the fabric surface. After drying, this process creates a waterproof breathable membrane.
Lamination bonding, on the other hand, directly laminates the pre-made waterproof breathable membrane onto the fabric.
Both coating transfer and lamination bonding can achieve high levels of waterproof and breathable performance, providing different levels of waterproofness and breathability according to different field requirements. Many leading brands in the market produce waterproof breathable fabrics using these processing methods.
Performance reference for processing types
Type
Durability
Hand Feel
Cost
Aging Pattern
Coating Transfer
Lower
Harder
Low
Powdery Exfoliation
Lamination Bonding
High
Soft
Higher
Flaky
Remark: All technical information and recommendations are based on JNS's previous experience and test results. JNS provides this information to the best of its knowledge and assumes no legal liability. Customers must verify the suitability and availability for their specific applications. The performance of the product can only be determined when all necessary operating data is available.