The membrane fabrics are designed to protect its wearer against climate agents such as wind and water (rain or snow). It depends on the benefits that are sought and the final application of fabric, or other textile membrane is employed.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of membranes: microporous and hydrophilic.
Microporous membranes are those who play with the pore size of the membrane to be able to let the sweat as water vapor from inside to outside but allow water (rain, for example) from outside to inside and thus keeping the user dry and comfortable garment.
Furthermore, the hydrophilic membranes do not play with the pore size but it is a textile with hydrophilic molecules, in which the polarity of the water, allowed to pass the water molecules in the gaseous form (sweat) from inside to outside. The difference in temperature and humidity is responsible for the sweat to be evacuated to the outside and not the other.
Our IR membrane fabric is a waterproof and breathable membrane that is included in some of our technical fabrics to keep us from getting wet. The Technical Textile Department of Marina Textil has compiled 5 items in these vital information at the time of choosing a fabric with membrane.
1. The membrane fabrics of Marina Textil is microporous.
As discussed previously, the microporous membranes are those in which the key is the pore size. The membrane IR Marina Textil allows moisture to escape in one direction (for transpiration of clothing), but not allowed to enter (to avoid getting wet). It is very important to maintain the balance between breathability and waterproofing for optimal comfort.
In figures, the pores of the membrane is approximately 700 times greater than that of a molecule of sweat but approximately 20.000 times smaller than a water droplet. Hence the exchange of water molecules in different states, from inside to outside but not from outside to inside is allowed.
2 . Our concept is a protective membrane IR, no external tissue.
The Marina Textile fabrics (Marlan, Marlan Plus, Marlan V, Marko, Plusmark, Marax, Stark, Zinkmar, Aramar) are perfectly suitable for applying our protective membrane. The membrane is applied to the inner face of such tissues, so usually when manufacturing clothes must use another tissue, which will be closer to the body. This may be another of our fabrics as inner liner, fleece or plush.
3 . Repellent or Waterproof?
The role of the membrane is to provide waterproof and breathable but for further protection the use of repellent products (fluorocarbon in most cases) in the outer layer of fabric is needed. Therefore, the applied repellent finish helps water that may fall on the tissue on the same slide while membrane prevents water from reaching transfer layers and contact with skin.
According to EN 343, the tissues comply therewith, shall be designed for protection against rain. Thus, these textiles must meet certain levels of water penetration, ie, should provide resistance to the passage of water at a given pressure.
For optimal use of the garments with waterproof and breathable membrane, a proper washing type EN 6330 (domestic) or ISO 15797 (industrial ) is recommended, as prolonged dirt can cause problems clogging waterproof membrane pores and thus disabling their protective capacity .
4 . Protective clothing against rain (according to standard EN 343), is it possible to dry in the tumbler dryer?
Yes, for easy maintenance. Dry the garment to air is not a good idea because it is usually recommended to reactivate the water-repellent finish and use high temperature in the process. The best ways we know are:
- Domestic Cleaning / EN 6330. Household washing machine wash using detergent products where water repellent (DWR ) are added (and following the manufacturer’s instructions) followed by drying in tumble dryer. Once finished, you can add an extra with DWR Spray product (always following the manufacturer’s application instructions). And as the last step ironing at high temperature, as good help to form the micro-fluorocarbon layer on the garment and thus activate the repellent effect contributes repellency applied product.
- Industrial washing / ISO 15797. Every laundry provides the best method to be followed in each case, but in general follow this pattern: Industrial washing machine product with added water repellent (DWR), followed by drying tumbler and / or steam tunnel at high temperature for optimal restoration fluorocarbon product on the surface of the garment.
5. The term ‘Windstopper’ is usually not waterproof.
Articles with Windstopper label are designed for certain situations where the wind factor is greater than the rain factor. They are made to eliminate the cold feeling that brings the wind. The sensation of cold and uncomfort increased in the presence of wind. Thus, for example, if there is no wind (wind speed of 0 km/h) in an atmosphere at 10 °C, the thermal sensation would be 10 °C, whereas under the same conditions, if there is wind (for example at a speed 16 km/h ), the wind chill would be 4 °C.
