Effect of Composition and Structure of Coating Polymers on Moisture Transporting Properties in Waterproof/Moisture-permeable Fabrics Prepared by Wet-Coagulation Process

Abstract

Waterproof/moisture-permeable nylon fabrics were prepared by wet-coagulation process using blend of polyester type polyurethane (PU) /polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins in various ratios, and their structures of crosssection as well as their water transporting properties were investigated.
The fabrics were found to consist of three layers : (1) Inner surface which comes into contact with wearer's skin has hydrophobic micro-networks resulting from gradient concentration of PVC. (2) Intermediate porous layer is rich in PU which is rather hydrophilic compared with PVC and useful for moisture transportation. (3) Outer surface is composed of hydrophobic nylon fabric.
Dewing values, which have a correlation with water transporting properties, were found to decrease with increasing PVC/PU ratio.This fact suggests possibility of developing more comfortable fabrics suitable for sportswear, etc.