SFM1 : fabrication and development of highly breathable membranes for sports apparel

Abstract

In recent years, waterproof-breathable fabrics have shown considerable market potential due to their popularity in usage for sports apparel. While Gore-Tex® has largely dominated this market, its associated carcinogenicity and ecotoxicity necessitate the development of improved substitutes. This study explores the fabrication of highly-breathable membranes by film-casting, solvent-evaporation precipitation, immersion precipitation, and also porogen-leaching. The breathability would be gauged by water vapour transmission testing, and membrane structure would be analysed by secondary electron microscopy imaging. This study eventually developed membranes which show better breathability than commercially-used thermoplastic polyurethane membranes.