Comparison between Waterproofing and Water Repellence Textiles

Abstract

Breathable or water proofing textiles are the
fabrics which resist water to pass through but
permit water vapour to pass through the same.
To understand the mechanism of manufacturing
of waterproofing and water repellent textiles, it
is very essential to know the behaviour of textile
materials in relation to humanity, water vapour
and liquid. Basically different chemicals are
used in the waterproofing and water repellent
treatments. When protection from water is
required in apparels, the treated fabric should
be permeable to air but not water. Membranes
are very thin films made of polymeric materials
and engineered structure to have high resistance
to liquid water penetration and allow water
vapour to pass through. Water repellent textiles’
surface may never be truly waterproof and the
waterproof their surface does not necessarily
have to be water repellent. Very thin
hydrophobic layer is formed on fibres in the
cases of water repellent treatments. The
purposes of waterproof fabric are wide and
quite extent.