One of the most popular materials produced using innovative technologies is membrane fabric, commonly referred to as membrane. Clothing made from it not only protects from rain, but also allows steam to pass through, guaranteeing maximum comfort to its owner. The latter only needs to choose the most suitable type of membrane fabric, paying due attention to the description of the characteristics of the material in question.

What it is?

The fabric described is a material of synthetic origin, classified as multilayer. Due to their properties, membrane products effectively repel moisture from the outside and at the same time do not prevent the release of fumes that accumulate in the underwear space. The outer layer of such fabric performs not only an aesthetic, but also a protective function, while the inner layer is characterized by softness, which makes it comfortable to wear (in some cases it can be replaced by a lining).

As for the membrane itself, it is located between the layers mentioned above. This component of the fabric is a thin film made of high-molecular compounds and applied to the base material. In Russia, the described fabric is produced on the basis of GOST 28486-90, the requirements of which it must fully comply with.

Compound

As mentioned earlier, the membrane is an important component of the material in question, but not its only component. The base of the latter is most often synthetic (for example, polyester), to which this film is “soldered”.

Today, several materials are used to make membrane fabrics.

Teflon. It has microscopic pores that effectively prevent the penetration of external moisture and promote the evaporation of internal moisture. The main disadvantage is gradual clogging.

Polyurethane. The key feature is maximum water resistance. The main disadvantage of polyurethane products is the relatively slow evaporation of moisture accumulated in the underwear space.

Polyester. The main advantages of this material are wear resistance and high strength, thanks to which it can be used for many years. In addition, polyester is pleasant to the touch and holds its shape well.

Also, to solve the described problem, cotton is used, primarily notable for its ability to retain heat, and bamboo, which can boast of durability and hypoallergenicity.

Combined materials are also worthy of mention: due to the presence of a protective layer, they minimize the likelihood of membrane clogging and extend its service life.

Properties

There are two main qualities of membrane fabrics - water resistance and vapor permeability. The first provides protection from external moisture (for example, rain): the higher its value, the longer a person will feel dry. It must be taken into account that the membrane can repel water for a certain time, after which the latter begins to penetrate into the underwear space. In this way, the described fabric differs from polyethylene and rubberized materials, which are completely impervious to water, but also cannot provide air exchange that is optimal for humans.

As for vapor permeability, it determines how “breathable” the membrane is. The higher this value, the more comfortable it will be to wear clothes made from this material during significant physical activity.

As with water resistance, the vapor permeability of membrane fabric has its limits, and therefore may not cope with its responsibilities if sweating is excessively intense.

Other advantages of the material under consideration are also worthy of attention, namely:

maximum wearing comfort, eliminating stiffness of movement;
versatility, thanks to which products made from membrane fabric are suitable not only for adults, but also for children;
good protection from strong winds;
relative ease of removal of contaminants.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the disadvantages, the list of which looks like this:

high cost of products (provided that they meet established quality standards);
the use of artificial ingredients, which does not suit supporters of natural materials;
not the highest wear resistance, the specific value of which depends on the category of membrane fabric.

In addition, the material described is quite difficult to care for, which will be discussed in detail below.

Many people believe that membrane fabric warms well, but this is not the case. By wicking excess moisture out, it reduces the risk of cooling your body, but in low temperatures you should wear two layers of warm clothing underneath.

Types and their characteristics

Depending on the characteristics of their structure, membrane fabrics are divided into 3 categories.

Porous. The second name is hydrophobic. Thanks to the presence of micropores, it guarantees the effective removal of moist air from the underwear space to the outside. At the same time, this fabric retains water, providing its owner with a feeling of dryness for a long period of time. A noticeable drawback of materials in this category is clogging of pores, the degree of which depends on the operating conditions of the product.

Non-porous. This variety, also called hydrophilic, is characterized by the absence of microscopic holes in the membrane layer. It copes with the removal of wet vapors to the outside thanks to diffusion, which involves their smooth transportation from the inner layer of the fabric to the outer. Given the duration of this process, the owner of the product may experience some discomfort (it will seem to him that the clothes are wet).

The effectiveness of using non-porous fabric is especially reduced if the outside humidity is too high.

Combined. Such materials organically combine the advantages of the two categories discussed above. Their production involves the use of a hydrophobic membrane, onto which a relatively thin layer of polyurethane is applied. There is only one downside to paintings of the combined category - high cost.

Also, depending on the design of the membrane fabric, there are 3 other types of it, each of which has its own remarkable characteristics.

Double layer

In this case, the membrane has only external protection, and therefore requires the use of an additional lining (usually mesh). The absence of the latter leads to inevitable clogging and mechanical damage to the material, and is therefore unacceptable.

Such products, labeled as “2L,” can boast of low weight and good vapor permeability. In addition, two-layer membrane fabrics are used in clothing, the inner surface of which has an insulating layer.

Three-layer

The described variety is labeled “3L” and provides more reliable, double-sided membrane protection. Thanks to this feature, the latter has increased wear resistance, which is its obvious advantage. The material in question looks like fabric, the reverse side of which is covered with a fine mesh.

Despite its obvious advantages, the three-layer variety has one significant drawback - high cost. Given this circumstance, such fabric is used relatively rarely - mainly for the manufacture of professional equipment.

Lined with jersey

This type of membrane fabric, also called "2.5L", is similar in many ways to two-ply, but does not involve the use of a standard lining. Instead of the latter, a layer of foamed knitwear is used, which protects the membrane from mechanical stress and clogging.

The main advantages of this material are compactness and lightness. It deserves special attention that these advantages do not detract from the other advantages of membrane fabric.

How to distinguish it from ordinary fabric?

There are several basic ways to distinguish membrane tissue from regular tissue. To buy a product with the properties of interest and minimize the likelihood of purchasing a counterfeit, the client only needs to adhere to the following recommendations.

The simplest solution is to visit stores that sell products from trusted brands.
The price of a product made of membrane fabric cannot be low. This is explained by the complexity of manufacturing this material, which involves the use of advanced technologies.
Often the name of the product in question contains the letter combination “-tex” (for example, “Sympatex” or “Gore-Tex”).
The products of many popular brands are sold under license. If the seller does not sell counterfeits, he must have all the permitting documentation.

In addition, the buyer can check the water resistance of the product at home using an ordinary shower. As for breathability, to determine them you need a container of hot water located under the fabric and glass with which the latter is covered.

If the material is a membrane, it will allow steam to pass through, resulting in fogging of the glass surface.

Where is it used?

Practice shows that the use of membrane fabrics is justified in a variety of situations that require optimal air exchange and effective protection from high humidity. Such materials are especially appreciated by lovers of winter sports, tourism, mountaineering, hunting, fishing and many other hobbies that involve significant physical activity. In addition, membrane fabrics are suitable for the manufacture of children's clothing - jackets, suits and overalls.

It is also worth mentioning the undesirability of everyday use of products made from the material in question. This circumstance is explained by three main reasons - the high cost of such products, the relative complexity of caring for them and the need to wear an additional layer of warm clothing.

Selection rules

Before purchasing clothing made from membrane fabric, the buyer needs to consider the conditions in which it will be used. By following this recommendation, you can acquire exactly the product that optimally matches the tasks assigned to it.

When choosing a suitable product, the buyer needs to pay attention to two key parameters - the previously mentioned water resistance and vapor permeability (for example, 7000/7000). The approximate values for the first are listed below:

3000 – minor precipitation, lasting relatively short;
5000-7000 – rain of medium intensity;
10000-15000 – heavy and prolonged rain;
20000 – storm (products with such water resistance are intended for yachtsmen and extreme recreation enthusiasts).

To select a product with suitable vapor permeability, the buyer should use the following list:

3000 – low level of physical activity (regular walking);
5000-7000 – moving slowly over difficult terrain or jogging;
10000-15000 – maximum physical activity (skiing).

There may also be slightly different interpretations that differ slightly from those given above.

In order for clothes made of membrane fabric to please their owners for as long as possible, the latter should pay due attention to their care, which includes a number of important nuances. Washing such products requires certain features.

Inability to use conventional detergents. This is explained by the fact that washing powder clogs the pores of the membrane, significantly reducing the vapor permeability of the fabric. The same effect is observed after using bleaches and conditioners.
Laundry detergents containing chlorine have a diametrically opposite effect on membrane materials. They do not clog pores, but enlarge them, increasing vapor permeability and worsening the water resistance of the fabric. Thus, the use of such means will also have to be abandoned.
To preserve the special properties of the membrane material, it cannot be machine washed. For the same reason, experts do not recommend soaking and wringing out such fabrics.

The modern world offers a huge selection of the latest technologies in various fields, and often these innovations can find application in completely different areas. One such example is a membrane. Today, membrane fabrics are widely used in light industry for sewing ordinary outerwear, including children's.

What is a membrane? The membrane is a high-tech material with high waterproof and wherein maintaining the ability to “breathe”.

Hydroporous membranes have many microscopic holes, so-called pores. The pores are many times smaller than a drop of water, so moisture cannot penetrate inside. And at the same time, water molecules in the form of steam freely exit through the membrane. However, membranes of this type are sensitive to dirt, which simply clogs the pores, and over time they can become clogged, which negatively affects their properties. But such membranes breathe better than others.

Waterproof clothing is characterized by the height of the water column (in millimeters), the pressure of which the fabric can withstand for 24 hours without getting wet. How to check this: stretch the fabric, launch a “column” of water from above and wait for drops to appear on the back of the fabric. The higher the water column, the better; look for information on the label or paper books included with the clothing. It may look like this: “covering with water resistance of 3000 mm.” You should not chase high scores if you are not in danger of conquering the Alpine mountains, that is, your family lives as usual. For example: heavy urban rain creates a pressure of 5000 to 8000 mm of water column. Normal rain (sleet) - 1000-2000 mm. If the jacket has water protection no higher than 1500 mm, the child will still get home dry, but protection from 3000 mm will allow you to have plenty of fun in the rain. Taped seams will provide additional waterproofing to clothing.

What does the water column mean:

1500-3000 mm- a common indicator for children's clothing with water protection. It will withstand light drizzling rain and sleet, but can get wet if the child likes to wallow in the snowdrifts to his heart's content.

3000-5000 mm- a good indicator for waterproof clothing. Tourist tents, for example, have such water protection.

5000-10000 mm and above- an excellent indicator. Will withstand the entire range of wonders of the Ural winter, autumn and spring.

In addition to waterproof characteristics, there are “breathable” characteristics. They depend on the amount of steam transmitted by the fabric over a certain period of time - say, per day. The higher the vapor permeability index, the more vapors the fabric removes.

Good level of vapor permeability: at least 5,000g/sq.m., normal level - 3000g/sq.m. m/day.

How do membranes work in practice?

It is important that we, and especially our children, feel comfortable in their clothes. When we talk about comfort, we mean microclimate - a thin layer of air between the skin and clothing. We are comfortable when the temperature of this layer is approximately 32-34 degrees and the relative humidity is 40-60%. Any deviations are noticeable.

The microclimate can be influenced by various factors: weather conditions, clothing properties, physical activity.

Cold wind, penetrating through clothing, displaces the layer of warm air around the skin. Clothing made from membrane fabrics is windproof, and this property allows you to stay outdoors for a long time in sub-zero weather and not freeze.

During physical activity, our body releases moisture, simply by sweating. If this moisture is not removed in a timely manner, it covers the skin with a film and begins to cool at rest and heat up during active movement, causing discomfort. The membrane does not allow moisture to linger inside the clothing, but removes evaporation outside, ensuring proper microcirculation and maintaining the desired humidity and temperature.

Thus, the membrane allows you to preserve the usual microclimate as much as possible, namely a temperature of about 33 degrees and a humidity of about 50%, unchanged. Regardless of the external temperature and level of physical activity. Therefore, in both hot and cold weather, we feel comfortable in membrane clothing.

How to wear the membrane

For normal operation of the membrane, the following rules must be observed:

Clothing under the membrane should be made of synthetic or mixed fibers(synthetic content not less than 10-20%) or wool. We remember that excess moisture must be removed from the body, and for example, 100 percent cotton is hygroscopic, it absorbs sweat, causing hypothermia. You can leave your panties in cotton.
Layering: first layer- underwear, second layer- insulation, third layer- actual membrane clothing. Underwear, as we have already found out, should be made of synthetics or with the addition of synthetics. This could be special thermal underwear or just a turtleneck and tights. Underwear made from 100 percent wool is also allowed - for lovers of natural fabrics, fortunately, products made from delicate, non-spiking wool are now available on the market. Insulation: at a temperature of minus 5-10 degrees, we begin to insulate ourselves, this can be a jumpsuit made of wool or fleecy fleece. Membrane clothing: set or overalls. All!
Motor activity: the membrane works in motion. If you engage in winter sports or even just actively walk, then the membrane is your choice. It is probably premature to buy membrane clothing for children who spend most of their walks sleeping in a stroller. A down jacket or clothing with other insulation is more suitable for them.

Membrane benefits

Membrane clothing has a number of advantages.

She maintains a constant optimal temperature approximately 33 degrees, so there is no fear that the child will overheat or freeze. Moreover, this temperature does not depend on how many degrees there are in the external environment - minus 20 on the street or plus 15 in the car. You can enter a shopping center or clinic without fear, just take off your hat.

Membrane clothing non-volumetric due to its properties and the use of modern insulation materials. If previously it was difficult for children in fur coats and cotton pants to move on the street, now even those who have only recently learned to walk can easily move and actively explore the world around them.

Membrane clothing light. This is true both for the children themselves and for mothers who often pick up children in their arms.

One set of clothes is enough, even if there are mud and puddles outside. Firstly, you can be sure that if you fall into a puddle, your child will remain dry thanks to the waterproof membrane. And secondly, when you come home, it’s enough to wash the soiled clothes under running water, wiping them with a sponge if necessary, and hang them up to dry. The membrane dries very quickly.

Membrane care

Caring for the membrane is not difficult, the main thing is to follow simple rules.

First of all, when washing and drying, follow the instructions included with the product.
Wash the membrane either by hand or in the washing machine on a delicate cycle at 30 degrees.
Use special products for membrane clothing or any liquid ones.
Heavy stains can be washed off first under running water by rubbing with a sponge.
Before washing in the washing machine, check the pockets, close the zippers and turn the item inside out.
The membrane is washed without pre-soaking.
Do not use rinse conditioners.
After washing, the product is hand-wrung without twisting. Let's allow spinning in a washing machine at the lowest speed.
Clothes should be dried flat at room temperature (under no circumstances should you dry membrane clothing on a radiator!).

You can view and purchase products made from TM Cherubino membrane in the section in our online store

The word "membrane" has ancient origins and means "membrane". In ancient times it was used in everyday and biological senses. As science developed, the term acquired physical, chemical, and technical meaning. Now membrane technologies are used in light industry for the production of clothing.
One of the main functions of clothing is protective. The introduction of membranes into the composition of protective fabrics allows water vapor to be removed while preventing moisture, wind, rain, and snow from getting inside.

Membrane fabric: types, properties

A membrane is a water-repellent and windproof coating that can allow water vapor to pass through it. Membrane fabric makes up only the top layer of winter clothing, thus keeping the bottom layer dry. In such clothes, the skin will be able to breathe, and the sweat will simply drain out.

Operating principle of a pore-free membrane: wet vapors enter the fabric, then a diffusion process occurs, they smoothly move to the outer layer. It will last quite a long time and does not require special care. Sometimes it may seem that, for example, a winter suit made of a non-porous membrane is getting wet, but this is an illusion, these are just the fumes described above.

Advantage pore-free membranes: very durable, do not require careful maintenance, work properly in a wide temperature range. Such membranes are usually used in top products from well-known sportswear manufacturers.

Flaws non-porous membranes: at first it may seem that the products are getting wet, but these are precisely the same fumes that accumulate on the inside of the product. that is, they begin to “breathe” more slowly, but expensive non-porous membranes sometimes surpass porous membranes in their breathing properties.

Pore membrane coating - These are membranes that work according to the following principle: drops of water that fall on the membrane fabric from the outside cannot pass through the pores of the membrane inside, since these pores are too small. Vapor molecules formed when a person sweats from the inside of the membrane tissue are freely removed to the outside through the pores of the membrane. As a result, we obtain waterproof membrane fabric on the outside of the product and breathable (steam-removing) properties from the inside of the product.

Advantage pore membranes: they quickly begin to “breathe”, i.e., remove evaporation as soon as the body begins to secrete sweat (provided that there is a difference in the partial pressures of water vapor inside and outside the jacket, i.e., when there is a driving force) .

Flawspore membranes: these membranes are quite delicate and quickly become unusable, that is, they lose their basic properties. The pores of the membrane become clogged, which greatly reduces the breathability. If washed incorrectly, a membrane item may lose its properties.

Combined type membrane fabricbelongs to the category of high-tech fabrics; two types of coating are used (porous and non-porous). This fabric has no disadvantages, since its composition combines several types of coating.

Combined Combined jacket fabrics: on the inside, the upper material is covered with a pore membrane, on top of which there is another coating: a polyurethane non-porous film. This fabric combines all the advantages of non-porous and porous membranes, while avoiding their disadvantages; it is definitely “two in one”. At the same time, you have to pay dearly for high technology. For this very reason, companies rarely use this material in products.Combining membranes is the most high-tech and expensive fabric.

Membrane fabrics are also divided by type of construction: two, two and a half, three layers.

Double-layer membrane fabrics

Two-layer fabric is a fabric from which things are made, having previously applied a membrane film to it on the reverse side. To prevent the membrane, which is located on the reverse side of the product, from becoming clogged or damaged, such things always have a lining that protects it from harmful influences.

Two-and-a-half layer membrane fabric

“Two-and-a-half” layer membrane fabric is the ideal solution for those who want to reduce the weight of their backpack to a minimum. Such items are made of two-layer fabric, but instead of a lining or knitted mesh, the membrane is protected by knitted pimples, which significantly reduce the weight of the clothing.

Three-layer membranes

Three-layer fabric on the inside resembles fabric with a fine mesh, and this is not at all surprising, because three-layer fabric is three elements (product fabric + membrane + knitted mesh), which are joined together by lamination. In this case, the mesh acts as a lining, that is, it protects the membrane from damage and contamination. Accordingly, the lining is no longer needed, which significantly reduces the weight and volume of products made from a three-layer membrane, while their functionality does not suffer in any way.

Water resistance is measured in millimeters of water and determines how much water pressure the material can withstand without leaking. Membranes with a water resistance of 7,000 mm are impervious to rain of any strength. However, most high-class membranes have a water resistance of 15, 20 and even 40 thousand mm.

This is connected not only with the pursuit of big numbers by manufacturers. By trying to guarantee the water resistance of their materials, manufacturers eliminate any risk of leakage even with intensive use of their products in extreme conditions.

The vast majority of modern membranes, even inexpensive ones, are truly impervious to rain of any strength. Therefore, you should not focus your attention on this parameter and strive for very high water resistance, provided that the purchased membrane clothing does not involve use in extreme weather conditions - prolonged rains, hurricane winds, strong temperature changes, etc.

Vapor permeability indicators in millimeters of water column.

The vapor permeability of the membrane is much more important for your comfort.

Vapor permeability determines how quickly moisture will be transported from the human body to the outside. The better the vapor permeability, the less you risk getting wet from the inside from your own sweat and you will dry faster if this does happen. To evaluate it, two main indicators are used, based on different tests:

MVTR (moisture vapor transmitting rate) - measured in g/m²/24h, i.e. how many grams of water vapor a fabric sample over an area of 1 m² can pass through in 24 hours. The higher the value, the greater the vapor permeability of the material. For the most “breathable” membranes, this figure is greater than or equal to 20,000 g/m²/24 hours. There are several tests available to determine MVTR, but they only roughly simulate membrane performance under real-world conditions.

RET (evaporate resistance) is a testing method developed and used by Gore-Tex. It determines how strongly the test material sample “resists” the transport of water vapor. Therefore, the lower the RET value, the more “breathable” the membrane is. The scale is marked from 0 to 30, where 0 is the uncovered surface of the skin - i.e. nothing prevents the evaporation of moisture, and 30 is a layer of dense polyethylene - i.e. “breathing” properties are completely absent. The most vapor-permeable membranes have a RET value in the range of 1-6.

Unfortunately, test results do not always correlate with each other - this is due both to the difference in the test methods used and to frequent violations of testing protocols in different laboratories. Sometimes the same fabric sample demonstrates completely different vapor permeability indicators within the same test conducted in different testing centers.

For this reason, some manufacturers publish only the maximum numbers recorded in tests, others publish results on two scales at once - RET and MVTR, and still others do not indicate vapor permeability values at all, trying to avoid incorrect comparisons with products of other brands. In any case, a sign of “good form” is the manufacturer’s indication of the testing methodology or an explanation of why vapor permeability indicators are not published.

What are taped seams and why are they needed?

DWR

DWR (Durable Water Repellence)- a coating that does not repel water, preventing it from being absorbed into the product. Instead, water is retained on the surface in the form of small "balls". This coating is very useful and functional, but, unfortunately, it is very short-lived. To keep your DWR coating alive, you can use special DWR coating products that can be purchased at any gear store. One of the most popular manufacturers of DVR coatings is NIKWAX.

The seams in membrane products are taped so that moisture does not get inside the product not only through the surface of the fabric, but also through the places where it is sewn. If you pick up a membrane jacket and see the inscription “all seams are sealed” on the tag, this means that you are looking at a product in which all the seams are sealed, which means they will not allow moisture to pass through and will keep your body dry. Now let's look at various membrane products and find out which of them should be glued and how. Let's start with clothes made from two-layer membrane fabrics. On them you can find two types of inscriptions:

- “all seams are sealed” (all seams are taped);

- “critical seam sealing” (the main seams are taped).

In the first case, leakage of seams is excluded; in the second case, it is possible in some places, but not necessary. Most often, the main seams are taped in urban, outdoor clothing brands, as well as in budget lines.

With clothes made from a three-layer membrane, the situation is different - absolutely all manufacturers agree that all seams in these high-tech and expensive items must be taped. Among other things, in such things the number of seams is reduced to a minimum in order to reduce the weight of the product and increase its mobility. Moreover, most brands that produce clothing made from three-layer membranes use waterproof dry zippers, which eliminates excess weight due to the absence of valves and protective strips. Zippers are usually protected with a zipp garage device, which is a kind of pocket for the zipper lock, hides it and does not allow moisture to get inside through this small hole.

How to properly wash membrane items?

Most often, a damaged item made of membrane fabric is your fault. And then we will try to figure out how not to spoil expensive and functional things through ignorance or carelessness.

So, 10 simple rules on how to wash membrane items without depriving them of their water-repellent and breathable properties:

Read carefully what is written on the product tag!
When washing, follow the temperature indicated on the label; under no circumstances wash membrane items in hot water!
Do not wash the membrane with regular powder or detergent.
For washing, use only special detergents for membrane fabrics that do not clog the pores of the product.
Wash the membrane in water at a temperature of no more than 40C.
It is advisable to wash items made from membrane fabrics by hand or on the delicate cycle of a washing machine.
Use impregnation, it will help you extend the life of the product and preserve its functional features.
Use impregnation only on clean items. If the impregnation you are using is water-based, it can be applied to the product regardless of whether it is wet or dry.
Choose impregnation for the membrane from which your clothes are made. Today, manufacturers such as Grangers and Nikwax produce impregnations for various types of membrane fabrics, taking into account their design features.
Remember: there is no universal powder for washing membrane fabrics; you need to choose a special detergent. Impregnation for shoes or tents is also not suitable for jackets or pants. Such treatment of the membrane will simply destroy it and if you are going, for example, to climb Mont Blanc, where you may be caught in unfavorable weather, you will find yourself absolutely defenseless. Take care of your membrane clothing and it will take care of you!

Membrane fabric is an innovative material with selective permeability. Has increased protective properties. It is used for the production of children's and sportswear, equipment for fans of active winter recreation, and representatives of extreme professions.

Why are membrane fabrics needed?

Membrane fabrics: samples

One of the main functions of clothing is protective. Previously, rubber shoes, plastic raincoats, and other capes were used to protect against rain. These materials protected well from rain, snow, and wind for some period of time. It is impossible to stay in waterproof products made using old technologies for a long time.

On average, the human body releases more than half a liter of moisture per day, which accumulates on clothes from the inside if there is no way out. With active movements, the volume of sweat released can reach one and a half liters.

The introduction of membranes into the composition of protective fabrics allows water vapor to be removed while preventing moisture, wind, rain, and snow from getting inside.

Structure and mechanism of action of membranes

The simplest example of a membrane product is a cellophane bag (not to be confused with a plastic bag). If, for example, you pour a salted protein solution into a plastic bag and hang it in a container with clean water, then after a while the salt will penetrate through the pores of the cellophane into the water. Cellophane selectively allows small molecules to pass out, retains large ones inside, and water molecules from outside do not leak into the bag.

Operating principle of membrane fabric

The membrane layer in tissues works in a similar way. It allows small molecules to come out without letting anything in.

Membranes used in light industry are usually divided into porous (containing pores) and non-porous (supposedly not containing pores). This division is arbitrary, but widespread. It is advisable to use it.

Membranes with pores are thin polymer layers with very small holes through which molecules of gaseous water (steam) can leak from the inside, but drops cannot fit there. Let us remind you of the school course: in a drop, water molecules “stick together” - they are in the form of associated groups. In the vapor state, water molecules are lonely, the distance between them does not allow them to unite. The American company Gore-TeX makes membrane fabrics from Teflon, per 1 cm 2 of which there are about one and a half billion microholes - pores.
Non-porous membranes act differently. They also contain many microcells with complex, sinuous shapes that resemble the structure of a sponge. Steam from the skin is absorbed into the cells, saturates the membrane, turns into condensed moisture and, due to the difference in partial pressure (this concept is also from school courses), is released out. This principle of release is possible because there is more vapor inside than outside. If, hypothetically, the owner of the clothes wears them into a sauna or other room with very high humidity, moisture will enter in the same way.

In some materials, different membranes are combined, a layer without pores is placed on the outside, and a layer on the inside with pores. The fabric is effective, but expensive.

Comparison of terms of use

All membrane tissues remove vapors from an area of high pressure to a zone of low pressure (as experts in the value gradient say).
At high humidity, membranes with pores remove vapors better, especially if there is ventilation on the clothes. Poreless membranes are effective in relatively dry air environments. If the humidity is high or the ventilation is open, such a membrane will not work well.
At low temperatures, a membrane with pores works better. At subzero material temperatures, poreless membranes simply freeze.
The porous membrane can become clogged if not properly cared for or worn. Poreless membrane fabrics are durable and last a long time.

Main characteristics

Membrane fabrics are designed to protect against bad weather and create a sense of comfort for wearers. Functions justify the importance of key indicators.

Waterproof. At high pressures in the water column, any fabric will begin to leak. Maximum tolerable exposure values are important for successful operation. Clothing intended for harsh conditions must withstand pressures of 20,000 mm water column and above. A value of 10,000 mm is acceptable for normal rainy weather conditions.
Vapor permeability characterizes the mass of vapor in grams that 1 m2 of material can release in a given unit of time (usually 24 hours). The often found minimum vapor permeability is 3000 g/m2, the maximum is from 10000 g/m2. This property is sometimes assessed by its ability to resist steam transport (RET). If this indicator is 0, the fabric completely transmits all steam; with a value of 30, the passage of steam is practically eliminated.

The membrane does not perform insulating functions. It protects from rain, wind, snow, provides “breathing” to the body, and helps provide thermal comfort.

Fabric structure

Structurally, membrane fabrics differ in design.

In two-layer fabrics, the membrane is fixed on the inside of the fabric. Additionally, it is covered with a lining that protects it from damage and clogging.
In three-layer fabrics, the outer layer, membrane, and inner mesh are glued together. There is no need for a lining layer. The material is very comfortable, but costs more.
In some modifications, a special protective coating is sprayed onto the inner surface of the two-layer fabric.
There are types of membrane fabrics with a water-repellent layer (DWR) applied on top. The coating may wash off over time. It is easily restored using special means.

Leading manufacturers

Membrane fabric in clothing

The most authoritative, historically the first company producing membrane fabrics is Gore-TeX. She made clothes for astronauts. Then several types of products were offered to skiers, climbers, and mountain tourists.

Clothing with Triple-Point, Sympatex, ULTREX membranes is comparable in quality. The material is good quality and is available in several modifications. The price is high, consistent with the properties of the products.

Products with Ceplex and Fine-Tex membranes have an affordable price. It is designed for a maximum of 2 seasons of active wear, after which the material may begin to leak a little water.

When buying clothes made from membrane fabrics, pay attention to the information about taping seams. In some varieties, absolutely all seams are taped, in others - only the main ones. For wearing in the city, taping the main seams is enough. For active sports, it may be better to choose products with all reinforced seams. The choice is up to the potential owner of the clothing.

Rules for caring for membrane tissues

The material is specific in composition and structure. Conventional washing techniques should not be applied to this group of products.

You can wash fabric with a membrane layer in a machine using a gentle cycle and mild special products.
You can't do push-ups in the car.
Cannot be dry cleaned.
There is no need to iron, there is no need to do this.
Can be washed by hand if desired.
You can leave the item in an arbitrarily straightened state so that water drains from it.
The fabric gets dirty very little. After wearing and drying, it can be lightly cleaned with a regular brush.

Fabrics with membrane materials allow you to feel protected in any bad weather during the most active activities.

The characteristics of clothing for active sports are reminiscent of Chinese letters. What are “membrane”, “fleece” and “gore-tex”? Why do you need thermal underwear? How are “waterproofness” and breathability of things combined? "SE Extreme" reveals the secrets of snow clothing!

Lucky us, modern people! We snowboard and ski, do mountaineering, ecotourism, trekking and God knows what else, and we have special clothes for all of this. These are not only jackets and pants, but also underwear, socks and shoes, the development of which takes into account the characteristics of a particular type of activity. We have at our disposal membranes, down jackets, impregnations, anatomical backpack hangers - you name it. In general, everything is fine with us, we even complain sometimes: “I want a three-layer jacket, not a two-layer one, and one with pockets!”

If you look back and think about how people used to cope with the vagaries of nature, how they walked, got wet in the rain and snow, carrying their wealth in “grandfather-style” backpacks, it becomes somehow uneasy. Although some no longer remember that there was nothing except canvas jackets, padded jackets, sweaters and woolen socks. But, despite all the inconveniences, people always went to the mountains, conquered peaks, and skied. They had one wisdom: the colder it is, the more you need to put on yourself. These were strong people, hardy and unpretentious.

But then they got tired of it, and progress began in the production of fabrics suitable for active outdoor use. The development of special materials was in full swing: people began to puzzle over how to make the fabric as light and effective as possible, so that it would not get wet, not blown out, so that it would warm and remove moisture from the body.

Among the first to succeed in the business were Wilbert and Genevieve Gore, who founded the Gore company (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.) in 1958. Wilbert (Bill) Gore worked for DuPont for 17 years, but then life took a different path, and the Gore private enterprise was born. Over the next 12 years, the company has achieved almost worldwide recognition and taken a leading position in the market. This is how the history of the clothing membrane began.

WHAT DO YOU EAT THE MEMBRANE WITH?

So, let's try to figure out what a membrane (membrane tissue) is and what it is eaten with. Technically, a membrane is something like a film of a special structure, and membrane fabric is a matter in the structure of which this very special film is present. There is a world classification that allows you to divide all membrane tissues into several types.

The structure of the membrane can be non-porous, porous or combined.

Poreless membranes They work according to the following principle: body vapors fall on the inside of the membrane, settle on it and, through active diffusion, quickly move to the outside. The advantage of non-porous membranes is that they are durable, do not require careful maintenance, and work properly in a wide temperature range. Such membranes are usually used in expensive and functional products. What are its disadvantages? At first it may seem that the clothes are getting wet, but this is precisely the same fumes that accumulate on the inside of the item. That is, non-porous membranes begin to breathe more slowly, however, when they “heat up”, their breathing properties are sometimes superior to porous membranes.

Pore membranes They work on a different principle: drops of water that fall on the membrane fabric from the outside cannot pass through the pores of the membrane inside, since these pores are too small. Accordingly, the outside of the fabric does not get wet.

On the other hand, the vapor molecules produced by sweat are released freely from the inside of the membrane tissue. As a result, we get waterproof membrane fabric on the outside of the product and breathable (steam-removing) properties on the inside. The advantage of pore membranes is that they begin to breathe “quickly”: they remove fumes as soon as you start to sweat. What are the disadvantages? This membrane “dies” quite quickly, that is, it loses its properties. If washed incorrectly (especially with a spin!), the pores of the membrane become clogged, which greatly reduces the breathability - the jacket may begin to “leak”. This drawback may appear if you are not a particular fan of taking care of your things.

Membrane combination: The upper fabric is covered on the inside with a pore membrane, and on top of the pore membrane there is another coating: a non-porous polyurethane membrane film. This fabric combines all the advantages of porous and non-porous membranes, while avoiding their disadvantages, a kind of “two in one”. But high technology comes at a high price. It is for this reason that very few companies use this membrane in their products.

In addition to the division described above, there is a difference in the design of the material itself. According to their design, membrane fabrics are divided into two-layer, three-layer and so-called “two-and-a-half” layers. These words are probably familiar to snowboarders and skiers, as well as people who spend a lot of time in the mountains.

Double layer fabric- this is a fabric on which a membrane is specially applied on the reverse side (usually white, but it can be transparent or with some other dye). In products, this fabric is always used with a lining, since it provides adequate protection of the membrane from clogging and mechanical damage.

Three-layer fabric looks like fine mesh fabric from the inside out. In essence, it is a top fabric plus a membrane, plus a knitted mesh, glued into one structure using a special lamination technology. The knitted mesh on the inside protects the membrane from both mechanical damage and clogging. The most important thing: in three-layer products, the use of a lining is eliminated - one “rag” remains, in which all three components are collected. As a result, we have: mega-lightweight fabric that does not restrict movement, small volume of the product and maximum functionality. The combination of these excellent qualities explains the high cost of products made from three-layer fabric.

“Two-and-a-half”-layer membrane fabric- This is a new product on the modern clothing market. It doesn’t sound very Russian, but it correctly conveys the meaning of the technology. As a rule, this is an ordinary two-layer membrane fabric, coated on the inside with a kind of protective coating (foamed protective coating in the form of pimples, just knitted pimples, etc.), designed to perform the function of the third layer, i.e., protecting the membrane. Such jackets are as light as possible - they do not need lining, and the weight of protection is much less than that of three-layer materials. But, as you might guess, products made from this fabric are by no means cheap.

By the way, the GoreTex we already mentioned, with which we began our discussion of the topic, is just a patented name for a membrane of a certain structure. For a long time, the company was practically a monopolist on the extreme clothing market, but now many respected and well-known companies produce no less respected membrane fabrics. For example, Toray (Japan) (Dermizax, Entrant HB), Event (USA, produced in Japan), Unitika (Japan). These are leaders in the field of membrane fabric production technologies, which are used in their production by the world's leading brands that produce clothing and footwear for outdoor activities and sports.

There are two more important parameters that you need to pay attention to when buying pants and jackets for outdoor activities - waterproofness and breathability of the fabrics.

Waterproof- this is, roughly speaking, the pressure of the water column that a given fabric can withstand. A piece of fabric is placed in a special machine, stretched, and a column of pressurized water is directed at it. The pressure is gradually increased and watch at what point drops appear on the back of the cloth.

Indicators: 20,000 means that the fabric does not get wet in stormy conditions (strong wind, slanting heavy rain, snow); 10,000 - the fabric can withstand heavy rain; about 5.000 - light rain and snow; around 3.000 - drizzling rain and light wet snow.

Breathability depend on the amount of steam that the fabric transmits over a certain period of time (the currently accepted unit of measurement is “X grams per square meter of fabric in 24 hours”). A piece of fabric is also placed in a special machine, where evaporation is simulated, and after 24 hours they see how much moisture the fabric has “removed.” That is, the higher the number, the greater the amount of moisture removed. For example, in expensive high-quality products, water resistance is usually at least 20,000 mm water column, and breathability is at least 8,000 g/sq.m. m./day. The mid-level membrane usually has characteristics of 8,000 mm/5,000 g/sq. m/day or so.

The basic level is usually 3,000 mm/3000 g/sq. m/day, although in products made from this type of fabric the membrane characteristics are not high enough and can be combined well with the presence of a large number of ventilation holes that allow you to regulate the temperature inside the product.

To provide additional protection from external moisture, there is such a thing as DWR coating. If you pour a little water on fabric treated with DWR, the droplets do not absorb, but lie on the fabric, rolling into balls! This is the result of DWR (Durable Water Repellence) - a coating that does not allow water to pass even through the top layer of fabric (that is, to be absorbed into it). DWR, however, is not durable (it is applied during the production of clothing) and disappears over time (washed off). So in the future, during use and contact with water, wet spots may appear on the fabric. This does not mean that the product gets wet, since the membrane will still not allow water to pass through, but some discomfort may be present. The resulting layer of water on top will not allow the membrane to work, no matter how “cool” it is. In this case, the pore membranes may allow water to penetrate into the product. How to deal with this? Specially developed products with this very DWR coating (NIKWAX, for example), which are sold in stores selling clothing for extreme sports, will help you avoid dying of DWR. If, after washing (or more often), you apply, for example, NIKWAX or another similar product to the fabric, the product will definitely last longer than if you do not.

After such an abundance of information, the logical question is: “How to care for membrane clothes?” Let’s say right away that membrane clothes need to be washed, but not in the same way as ordinary ones. Do not use washing powders with bleach and other aggressive substances - they clog and destroy pores. You cannot use a machine spin - this will deteriorate the membrane, since the spin breaks its fine structure. Do not dry clean or use bleach. Do not iron - the synthetic fabric of the upper will melt and the membrane will be damaged! You can wash clothes by hand with special detergents for washing membrane fabrics (NIKWAX again); If the product is not too dirty, you can wash it with ordinary soap and rub particularly dirty areas with a brush. You can leave it to dry on a line. DWR can be applied to a dry item using a spray can. I would like to note that DWR impregnation should be applied only to clean things, since if you apply impregnation to dirty material, you will not achieve a water-repellent effect. Special detergents must have the inscription on the packaging - “allowed for membrane fabrics”! That's all the main secrets.

All of the above largely applies to the top layer of clothing. It's time to say a few words about the middle, or bottom, layer, and about what materials, fabrics and tricky terms we may encounter when choosing such products.

First, let’s talk about fleece. Fleece- this is a large group of fabrics that are made in the following way: knots are tied onto a fairly strong woven base by machine, then another machine breaks them, and a pile is obtained that is tied to the base. We must admit that many people are often confused about the concepts of “fleece” and Polartec. Let us clear your doubts: Polartec is just a fleece brand. That is, high quality fleece from Malden Mills is called Polartec. That's all the wisdom.

Why is fleece recommended for active sports? Between the pile (from which fleece is actually made) a layer of air is retained, which, as is known, is the best thermal insulator. In addition, unlike natural fabrics (such as cotton), good fleece does not accumulate moisture, but provides the necessary ventilation when overheated and removes condensation outside. This is one of the main reasons why it is recommended to wear a “fleece jacket” during active skiing, especially in the mountains - good fleece means warmth, dryness and comfort. But note: fleece will work this way only if you wear thermal underwear underneath it, and not your favorite cotton T-shirt, which, for all its beauty, unfortunately, does not wick away moisture and immediately gets wet.

Fleeces also come in membrane and non-membrane varieties. With non-membrane ones, everything is clear - there is no membrane in the fabric structure. Membrane fleece consists of three layers, “glued” into one.

Membrane fleeces

1. Soft Shell. Structure: upper - durable fabric that does not absorb moisture and is resistant to wear; middle layer - membrane; bottom - fleece. In some cases, the membrane may be absent from the fabric structure, since in fleece fabrics it is by no means the main component. Windproofness is achieved through special tight weaving.

2.Windblock(wind protection). Structure: top layer - treated fleece fabric (anti-pilling, DWR), middle layer - membrane (sometimes foam is used instead of a membrane), bottom layer - fleecy fleece, which collects moisture and removes it from the body.

Non-membrane fleeces

1. Non-membrane Softshell- This is essentially a “sandwich”, two types of fabric glued together. The upper one provides abrasion and tear resistance, and the one closer to the body warms and removes evaporation by quickly absorbing.

2. Polartec Thermal Pro- This is a warm, lightweight, moisture-repellent material, consisting of two layers. The abrasion-resistant outer surface protects against wind and light rain, while the soft fleecy inner layer provides maximum thermal insulation. In this case, moisture vapor from the body is freely removed to the outside. Thermal Pro is made from polyester fibers and is very durable and dries quickly. Unlike many fleecy fabrics, the material retains its heat-insulating properties and does not “roll” after repeated washing.

3. Polartec Wind Pro—a material with a denser structure than Thermal Pro, with increased wind protection characteristics.

4. Polartec 200 and fleece of similar quality from other manufacturers- soft and almost weightless material. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. Unlike natural fabrics, it does not accumulate, but removes excess moisture from the body. In terms of thermal properties per gram of material, Polartec 200 is twice as good as sheep's wool and more than three times as good as cotton.

Having considered all of the above, we can highlight the main properties of high-quality fleece:

Long service life (retains its heat-insulating properties for a long time).
Thanks to a special anti-pilling coating, the pile does not roll into hated pellets even after repeated washings.
Fleece does not wrinkle and has a pleasant to the touch structure.

Fleece, like outerwear (for example, for riding), also requires special care. It can (and should!) be washed - by hand or in a washing machine. If by hand, then use regular soap in warm water at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees. If in the machine, then at the same temperature, using the “gentle wash for synthetic fabrics” mode. Fleece clothing will last longer if you wash it with special gentle detergents and then rinse it in a solution that restores water-repellent properties (for example, Nikwax Polar Proof). Fleece cannot be ironed or dried in a washing machine or on a radiator. Hang it on a string or on a hanger - the clothes will dry and maintain a decent appearance.

How can all of the above be applied in everyday life and what is all this for? If you snowboard and ski, you probably know that skiing conditions in the mountains and in the city are always different. The “cabbage” version of clothing is considered a classic. First layer: thermal underwear (special tight-fitting sweatshirts and sweatpants) + socks for skating (not ordinary woolen ones). The second layer is fleece, the third is outerwear (pants-jacket or overalls) plus a hat/helmet, mittens/gloves. Depending on the weather, the selection may vary. The point is that all sweat removal technologies only work together, and if you wear a sweater and your favorite T-shirt under a membrane jacket, then the membrane will be of no use. And when everything is correct, then everyone is dry and comfortable. What else does a person need?

And a little about money: as we already said, good quality requires a good investment. If you are not ready to spend a significant amount on clothes right away, start with less - buy things in parts. For example, at the beginning of the season, buy thermal underwear, then fleece, and then “splurge” on membrane items. Dress correctly and don't be cold!

What other inscriptions may appear on the label? Rip Stop is the name of the method of weaving fabric, which in its structure resembles a mesh or honeycomb. That is, this texture uses both thin and thick threads, which makes it possible to produce a durable and at the same time lightweight material. Twill weaving is a smooth material that is pleasant to the touch and has excellent strength characteristics. Resist Techno Soft Shell- a material belonging to the class of membrane fleece. The latest word in the field of high-tech fabrics from the Softshell series - Resist Techno Soft Shell is a completely new material that provides comfort when riding and playing active sports, and retains heat perfectly. In addition, this fleece essentially works like thermal underwear - it actively removes evaporation during intense loads and retains heat. Fabric Windblock- combines the heat-insulating and breathable properties of fleece and the wind and moisture resistance of the outer layer. Membrane outer surface blocks wind; The inner layer of fabric wicks away excess moisture.