Do you know the difference between water-repellent, waterproof, moisture-permeable, breathable and windproof?

The water-repellent properties of fabrics refer to the fact that the fabric has been specially treated with a water-repellent agent. The surface of the fabric can form water droplets into a bead shape without penetrating or spreading to wet the clothes, achieving a water-repellent function like a lotus leaf (lotus effect). Water-repellent processing uses this principle to attach a layer of ultra-fine “needle beds” to the surface of the fabric with various chemical materials, so that the tension on the surface of the fabric is less than the cohesion of water, so when water drops, water droplets will form and roll away. Not spread out and soaked. If the needle bed structure of this layer is flattened or covered and penetrated by oil stains, the water repellent ability of the fabric will be greatly reduced, and it may even begin to absorb water.

Waterproof

Functional treatment to prevent water penetration. Current waterproofing treatments often use waterproof membranes to prevent water molecules from penetrating deep. However, the membrane itself is too fragile, so it is necessary to rely on the cooperation of the surface fabric, membrane, and interior to achieve the waterproof function. The waterproof ability is expressed by the water pressure resistance value, that is, a fixed area of a waterproof cloth is used to block the rising water pressure. When the third drop of water seeps out from the surface, it is the water pressure resistance value of the fabric. Generally, it can reach the basic level if it exceeds 1000mm. waterproof ability.

Moisture permeable

It specifically refers to the function provided by the indirect breathable waterproof membrane, not breathability, because they are two different breathable mechanisms, although they can ultimately allow sweat to escape through the fabric to the outside world. Moisture permeability requires that the sweat be absorbed by the hydrophilic non-porous membrane and become sweat molecules inside, and move to the outside of the film through micro-Brownian motion, affected by the humidity pressure difference between the inside and outside of the garment, and then turn into gas and be discharged through the surface fabric. So it is called indirect breathability.

Breathable

Among waterproof and breathable membranes, it specifically refers to the function provided by the water-repellent porous waterproof film. Breathability allows gas to directly pass through the gaps of the “water-repellent porous membrane”. Because of its faster speed, it is called direct breathability.

Windproof

All fabrics have a certain degree of wind resistance. The more tightly the fabric is woven, the stronger the wind resistance. Those with poor air permeability generally have stronger windproof capabilities. High-quality fabrics perfectly combine breathability and wind resistance.