Green Breathable Waterproof PU Coating Textiles

Green Breathable Waterproof PU Coating Textiles
 
Waterproof textiles play a significant role in our daily lives, from garments and sportswear to camping equipment. These textiles are often created by applying polymer surface finishing treatments, coating one or both sides of a fabric to form a multi-layer polymeric material. Polyurethane (PU) resin is one of the most commonly used polymers for breathable, waterproof textile coating. Understanding the properties of PU resin and its interaction with humidity, liquids, and vapors is crucial for comprehending the performance of PU-coated waterproof and water-repellent fabrics.
 

Advantages of PU-Coated Fabrics

PU-coated fabrics offer several benefits, including high mechanical strength, durability, resistance to aging, flexibility, elasticity, waterproofness, and a non-creasing finish. Most importantly, PU resin can form a porous outer layer, known as a hydrophilic PU film, which allows vapor to be transferred by diffusion. The type and average diameter of the pores are key factors affecting the waterproof and breathable properties of the PU layer.

Types of Pores	Average Diameter
- Individual Pores: Can be closed, partially closed, or open. - Distributed in a Net:	- Macropores: Over 50nm; specific surface area 0.5-2 m²/g - Mesopores: 2nm-50nm; specific surface area 20-150 m²/g - Micropores: Less than 2nm; specific surface area 400-900 m²/g

Vapor-Permeable Waterproof Textiles Made with PU Resin

As illustrated in the diagram, the smallest raindrop is approximately 100μm, while water molecules range from 0.1-10nm. The pore dimensions of 2-50nm are significantly smaller than the tiniest raindrop, providing waterproof properties. However, these pores are larger than water molecules, allowing vapor from the human body to pass through the microporous PU layer.
 

Sustainable PU Coating Solutions by TPUCO

Reducing the carbon footprint in the PU-based coating process is a critical concern. TPUCO has been actively researching and developing two environmentally friendly solutions for the textile coating industry to promote a more sustainable supply chain:

1. Water-based PU Dispersions (PUD) for Waterproof-Breathable Coating:
   Increasing the hydrophilic component in PUD coatings enhances water vapor penetration while reducing water resistance. This balance ensures effective waterproof and breathable properties in the coated textile.
2. Recycling Technology for a Lower Carbon Footprint:
   Traditional waterproof-breathable materials are not biodegradable and pose ecological challenges. TPUCO's innovative recycling technology allows for the recycling of waterproof-breathable cloth made with PU coating on PET fabric. This development aims to create a greener, lower-carbon footprint, and more sustainable supply chain.

TPUCO is your ideal ODM and OEM partner for water-based PU dispersions, coating PU resin, and PU-coated breathable waterproof textiles. For more information, please contact our sales representative at pu@taiwanpu.com.

Link to TPUCO Products:
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/product/PU-Adhesives-and-Hot-Melt/PU-Resin-for-Textile-Waterproof-Coating