What is the material of the membrane. Membrane fabric is a material for clothing: characteristics and description. Profiled membrane: characteristics, functions and benefits

Membrane fabric (and in everyday use - just a membrane) is a special type of fabric that has moisture-repellent and windproof properties and at the same time passes water vapor through the pores. It has become a real find for athletes, tourists and, of course, children. The secret of its popularity is simple: the membrane allows you not to get wet even in the rain and does not let the body sweat.
The first industrially produced membrane fabric is Gore-Tex fabric, which was created for use in space. It was invented in 1969 by Wilbert Gore and his son Robert Gore and patented. Soon, the waterproof breathable fabric gained worldwide recognition. Currently, the patent has expired, and other types of membranes can be found on the market that have similar characteristics to Gortex.
Membrane fabric consists of several layers. Between the upper wear-resistant and lower soft layers there are several layers of fabric and the membrane itself, which is a film of a special structure.
According to their structure, membranes are non-porous , porous And combined .

1. Poreless membranes very durable and do not require special care. Of course, the evaporation of sweat from the skin also goes in them, but more slowly. The reason for this is the very principle of operation of non-porous membranes: first, moisture evaporates and settles on the inner surface of the membrane, and only then does it penetrate outside due to the pressure difference.
2. Pore ​​membranes begin to "act" and eliminate sweat from the skin immediately. They are used in Reim's children's clothing.

How do they work?

Water molecules are too large to penetrate into the pores, so they remain on the surface from the outside. Vapor molecules freely pass through the pores, since they are many times smaller than a drop of water. The micropores in the membrane are long and narrow, so the wind, getting into them, swirls and does not reach the body. As a result, we get a waterproof and breathable product that protects from the wind.
3. Combined membranes, as the name implies, combine the useful properties of porous and non-porous membranes. In such tissues, two levels of membranes are combined, which makes it possible to achieve very good performance. Minus one - the high price. To date, only a few firms use this technology.

Waterproof and breathable

When choosing clothes made of membrane fabric, there are two parameters that you should pay attention to: waterproofness and breathability. It is they who are responsible for how the new thing will “work” and how good it is in protecting against adverse conditions: rain and wind.
The waterproof rating refers to the height of the water column that the fabric can withstand without letting moisture through. 20000 mm means that in such clothes a strong wind with slanting heavy rain is not terrible. 10000mm will withstand walking in heavy rain. 5000 - snow and light rain. 3000 - light snow or light drizzle.
The breathability of a fabric is determined by the amount of steam that the fabric can pass through per unit of time. The higher the indicator, the more moisture can evaporate, the better the fabric breathes. The average is considered to be about 5000 g / sq.m / day.

Membrane care

The membrane requires special care. On the one hand, things made of membrane fabric are very easy to clean from external contaminants, without requiring constant washing. On the other hand, if the product still has to be washed, this should be done more carefully than things made from ordinary fabrics. Mechanical impact worsens the characteristics of the material, and therefore it is necessary to clean the pollution according to the rules.

Reading the information on the label is a must!
Close all fasteners and zippers before washing.
Do not soak for a long time, as all impurities immediately come off easily
It is better to wash not with ordinary powders or SMS that clog pores, but with special products designed specifically for membrane tissues.
Squeeze with your hands without twisting the thing
Dry flat or lay flat
Dry at room temperature

To restore the water-repellent properties of the fabric, after washing it is recommended to treat them with special means: there are various water-repellent impregnations or sprays.

If you see a kid on the street in a thin-looking jacket and light boots in spring changeable weather, do not rush to accuse parents of inattention to the child's health or the desire to temper him to the level of a walrus. Most likely, he is wearing membrane shoes and clothes that allow you to feel warm and comfortable in the coldest weather, and at the same time do not turn the child into a head of cabbage.

Why did membrane technology in the manufacture of children's clothing and footwear so captivate parents around the world? Let's figure it out!

1. What is a membrane and why is it needed?

Membrane technologies in the manufacture of clothing and footwear were originally used in sports, where it is necessary to provide lightness, comfort and breathability of equipment for athletes. Later, these technologies began to be used for everyday clothes for children and adults.

The membrane is a porous material placed between the outer and inner layers of footwear or clothing. The pores of the membrane are so small that they do not allow moisture, cold or wind to penetrate inside, and at the same time make it possible to remove moisture in the form of steam during sweating. Thus, a comfortable microclimate for the body is created under the membrane clothing, combining protection from external factors and constant air exchange.

High-quality membrane clothes and shoes are made using well-known membranes patented by manufacturers (Gore-Tex®, SympaTex®), and manufacturers of children's membrane clothing also use their own developments and technologies. For example, the Skandia brand has Skandiatex membrane material, while Alyaska has Antex & Alaskatex.

Membrane clothing and footwear are multilayer items in which, in addition to the membrane, additional inner and outer layers provide protection from external factors. For example, the outer layer is usually impregnated with a water-repellent composition or laminated with special means, and the inner layers combine natural (for example, woolen) and synthetic fibers for comfort and durability to wear.

In addition, manufacturers usually take care of such trifles as the presence of reflective details on children's membrane clothing, sew in child-safe zippers that will not press the skin when fastened, and provide additional protection for sleeves from cold air with textile cuffs. In children's membrane shoes, comfortable fasteners are usually used so that the baby can put on shoes on his own, as well as non-slip flexible soles for greater safety in ice conditions and reinforced heels and toes to maximize the life of the shoes.

Since initially membrane clothes and shoes were created for athletes and optimally manifest their properties during active physical activity, children's membrane things are intended primarily for those who move a lot. This does not mean that it is necessary to be in constant active movement in order to get the maximum effect from wearing membrane clothing, but for babies who mostly sit in a stroller during walks, such clothes or shoes are still not very suitable.

Membrane clothes are optimally suited for the temperature range from zero to minus 15-20 degrees. However, both outdoors and indoors, the child will feel comfortable, will not freeze or sweat.

3. How and with what to wear membrane shoes and clothes?

Manufacturers recommend wearing shoes or boots with a membrane over a sock or tights, which should not contain more than 10-20% cotton or wool, or over a thermal sock. This is due to the property of natural fabrics to absorb sweat and not give it away, and membrane shoes are good because they allow the feet to not sweat, removing the vapor molecules to the external environment. Therefore, it is better to give preference to hosiery with a predominance of artificial materials.

With regard to membrane clothing, one should be guided by the three-layer rule: the first layer is thermal underwear, or underwear, which, as in the case of membrane shoes, should contain a minimum of natural materials. The second layer is light, for example, a fleece bike or jacket. The third layer is directly a membrane jacket or overalls.

4. How to distinguish high-quality membrane clothing and shoes? What should be checked before buying?

You will have to pay well for the comfort, lightness and convenience that membrane shoes and clothes are famous for. High-quality membrane children's things cannot be cheap, so the low price of membrane shoes or clothes should alert you. In this case, there is a chance to buy a thing that will not last long and will not bring the expected result.

When buying membrane shoes for a child, you should pay attention to the quality of the sole. It must be flexible and elastic, then such shoes will last a long time. When choosing the right size for shoes with a membrane, you need to take into account that the maximum effect of wearing them is achieved when there is free space inside the shoes. That is, the optimal shoe size will be a margin of 1 cm between the toe of the shoe and the tips of the toes.

When buying children's membrane clothing, pay attention to the quality of the seams. in high-quality clothing, the seams are additionally glued for a greater water-repellent effect.

5.How to take care of membrane clothes and shoes?

Since things made using membrane technology are not cheap, you need to take care of their safety in their original form. Moreover, the properties of membrane clothing or shoes are fully manifested only while maintaining the integrity of the membrane and observing the conditions of wear.

Prerequisites for maintaining the protective properties of membrane shoes are cleanliness and dryness. Despite the fact that manufacturers additionally treat the top layer with protective agents, it is recommended to additionally impregnate membrane shoes with special compounds, especially in urban areas, where water, dirt and salt aggressively affect shoes.

After a walk, be sure to clean and wipe the shoes, and then dry them thoroughly. However, membrane shoes should not be dried near a radiator or heater, as this can destroy the membrane. The best option is to dry at room temperature, stuffing tightly with newspapers beforehand.

It is advisable to wash membrane clothing as infrequently as possible so that water-repellent impregnations, in many cases DWR (Durable Water Reppelence), applied to the top layer of clothing, do not wash out. With minor contamination, it is better to wait until the stain dries, and brush off the dirt with a brush or wipe it with a damp sponge, without rubbing the dirt into the fabric. If you need to wash clothes often, it is better to take care of additional protection of the upper layers, using special spray formulations after washing (for example, the English company NikWax is known for its line of water-repellent sprays for treating membrane clothing).

Membrane materials cannot stand washing temperatures above 40 degrees, and even more so boiling. Aggressive chemicals (stain removers, solvents, washing powders with special additives) can destroy the membrane, as well as break the tightness of the glued seams of clothing.

Manufacturers do not recommend ironing membrane clothing. However, if necessary, you can use the lowest temperature and ensure minimal contact of the iron with the material so that the membrane does not have time to heat up.

6. What companies are represented in our country? Where can I buy membrane clothes and shoes in Belarus?

Children's clothing and shoes with a membrane are presented in a wide range in high-tech clothing and footwear stores from Finland for children and teenagers SuomiKids. The company is the official representative of Finnish manufacturers Reima, Kerry in Belarus.

Also, the membrane is in the collections of the Czech trademark Alpine Pro, the German company Jack Wolfskin. The companies offer winter and demi-season overalls, trousers and jackets.

In Belarus, membrane shoes can also be found in the collections of such shoe manufacturers for the whole family as Ecco (using the Gore-Tex® membrane), Alaska Original (own development - Antex & Alaskatex membrane), a large selection of children's membrane shoes is offered by the Kotofey trademark and BARTEK. To purchase membrane clothing or footwear in Belarus, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the assortment in domestic online stores, where almost all of the listed brands are represented. There is also information in which stores or shopping centers you can try on and buy your favorite model.

Summarizing…

... note that high-quality membrane clothes and shoes are primarily suitable for active children, they will cost a lot and require special care, but at the same time they are comfortable, light and perfect for walking in our climate with a quick change in weather conditions.

Olga Bobko

Membrane types

There are several types of membrane tissue: porous, non-porous, combined.

How do pore membranes work? Water, getting on membrane clothes, cannot penetrate into it, since the pores of the fabric are too small. Accordingly, the fabric does not get wet from the outside. A fair question arises: "What about sweat secretions?". They are freely brought out from the inside of the membrane tissue.

It is worth noting that such a membrane, like any breathing organism, “dies” relatively quickly. For example, when choosing the wrong washing mode, the pores of the membrane become clogged, which leads to a decrease in the breathability of the garment and loss of waterproofness.

In non-porous membranes, vapors enter the inner part of the membrane and, through active diffusion, quickly pass to the outer side of the membrane clothing. Such membranes do not need special care, and they are able to please you for more than one year. However, it is worth saying that some happy owners of such clothes, due to evaporation, sometimes have the feeling that the fabric is still getting wet. But it's not!

The most ideal is considered to be a fabric with a combined membrane, which is covered with a porous membrane on the inside. However, this magical clothing also has a significant disadvantage - its high price.

About a special relationship with membrane shoes ...

It is worth emphasizing that you should not wait for perfectly dry shoes after running through puddles or snowdrifts. Since the membrane protects not the shoes, but the child's legs from water. The water remains trapped inside the fabric, and the most reasonable solution in this case is, of course, proper drying.

It is important to know that the removal of steam in warm and dry weather will be faster than in wet and damp. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that on a very rainy autumn day, after a walk, the child’s legs may not be dry enough - the difference between the internal microclimate and external conditions was not large enough and the steam removal rate decreased. But if the child runs, the temperature and humidity inside the shoes increase and “push out” the moisture more and more. This suggests the conclusion that it is not recommended to buy such shoes for babies who still move little or even sit in a stroller.

In order for the membrane to "breathe", you need to monitor the condition of the shoes - the upper textile layer covered with dirt blocks evaporation. Special sprays will help in the care of such shoes, which will not only increase the water-repellent properties of the fabric, but also protect it from pollution.

What are the top experts saying?

It would be nice to ask advice from mothers who already have such clothes or shoes in their child's wardrobe. Where are you most likely to meet moms and dads on a sunny day? That's right, the playground! Of the eleven mothers, two had the experience of "communication" with such clothes and one mother - with shoes.

Lena, mother of 4-year-old Liza:

“To be honest, when we bought a membrane jacket for the first time, we doubted its magical properties, it seemed to us thin then. We even made sure and bought another down jacket, just in case. But they didn't wear it. The membrane was worn at 0 degrees on a T-shirt, and at -20 - on a baechka. It is important that the dirt on such clothes is removed with an ordinary napkin. And this means that you can safely buy your favorite light shades and not worry that you will have to go to the garden for a child with a spare jacket: it is a shame to go home, and even more so to go to the store, to visit in grimy clothes.

Ira, mother of Maxim and Vlad, 3 and 7 years old:

“The membrane jumpsuit is just a godsend! Remember how mothers and grandmothers wrapped us in brown fur coats, and also tied a scarf on top. Here it was difficult to sit on the sled, let alone climb the hill. And it was not possible to undress at all. A membrane jumpsuit - light, comfortable, warm, beautiful. My son rides in it all the time. The child never woke up. It even seems to me that we began to get sick less, as we bought our favorite light green jumpsuit. In a word, I am satisfied with the purchase!

Marina, mother of 4-year-old Yegor:

“We have sneakers with a membrane. We are wearing it for the second season. The child likes it. I am pleased. Feet are always dry, regardless of the temperature outside. Unlike leather shoes, the child never complains of cold feet. The appearance has not yet been lost, I think that the second child will also be able to vilify. Moreover, the color is quite universal. Yes, the price is more expensive than regular shoes, but it's worth it.

Olga Gael

What is a membrane? How does it work?
“The membrane is either the thinnest film that is laminated (welded or glued using a special technology) to the upper fabric, or a special impregnation that is rigidly applied to the fabric in a hot way during production. On the inside, the film or impregnation can be protected by another layer of fabric.
From this we can conclude that an important property of membrane clothing is that it is very light.
Categories of membranes by structure
According to the structure of the membrane, tissues are divided according to the principle of which membrane is used: non-porous, porous and combined.
Poreless membranes work on the principle of osmosis (not space, but osmosis - remember the lessons of physics and chemistry at school).
The system is as follows: vapors enter the inner part of the membrane, settle on it and, through active diffusion, quickly pass to the outer side of the membrane. (Again, only if there is a driving force - a difference in the partial pressures of water vapor).
What are the advantages of non-porous membranes? They are mega durable, do not require careful maintenance, and work properly in a wide temperature range. Such membranes are usually used in top (expensive and most functional) products.
What are the disadvantages? At first, it may seem that the products get wet, but these are just the same fumes that accumulate on the inside of the product. That is, they begin to breathe more slowly, but advanced non-porous membranes, “opening up”, sometimes surpass porous ones in terms of breathing properties.
Pore ​​membranes are, roughly speaking, membranes that work according to the following principle: water drops that fall on the membrane tissue from the outside cannot pass through the pores of the membrane inside, since these pores are too small. Vapor molecules produced when you sweat from the inside of the membrane tissue are freely expelled through the pores of the membrane (since a vapor molecule is thousands of times smaller than a drop of water, it can freely penetrate through the pores of the membrane). As a result, we get the waterproofness of the membrane fabric on the outside of the product and the breathable (steam-removing) properties from the inside of the product. At the same time, a drop of water cannot seep into such a hole. But how (you ask) will a holey garment withstand the wind? After all, wind molecules are also significantly smaller than a drop of water! In this case, the membrane works differently. The wind, falling into long and narrow pores, begins to swirl and does not pass through.
What are the advantages of porous membranes? They “quickly” start to breathe, i.e. they remove vapors as soon as you start to sweat (provided that there is a difference in the partial pressures of water vapor inside and outside the jacket. That is, when there is a driving force).
What are the disadvantages? This membrane "dies" rather quickly, i.e. loses its properties. The pores of the membrane are clogged, which greatly reduces the breathing properties. If washed incorrectly, the jacket may start to leak. This disadvantage can be especially strong if you are not a particular fan of taking care of your things (use special DWR sprays, detergents for membrane fabrics, etc.).
The combination of the membrane is all very cool. The system is as follows: the top fabric is covered on the inside with a porous membrane, and on top of the porous membrane there is still a thin coating (ie, a non-porous polyurethane membrane film). This magical fabric has all the advantages of porous and non-porous membranes, while avoiding the disadvantages. But high technology comes at a high price. Very few companies use this membrane in their products ...
How does a membrane "work"?
If you become the owner of membrane clothing, then you should not put it on a cotton T-shirt and go for a run in a twenty-degree frost. So the membrane does not "work". The point is to keep the heat inside by bringing moisture out and preventing it from soaking into the clothes.
The classical scheme of protection against moisture and cold consists of three elements-layers, and the membrane is only one of them, the very last one.
The first layer of clothing is thermal underwear (special thin clothing that retains the heat generated by the body). Cotton should be avoided, as it greedily absorbs moisture, and, therefore, there can be no talk of any warmth.
The second layer is woolen clothes (with an admixture of synthetic fabrics that remove moisture) or clothes made of artificial materials such as fleece (Fleece) or polartec (Polartec). It is important that the second layer is voluminous and retains heat.
And only the third, outer layer is a thin membrane jacket.
If the frost is weak, then you can get by with only the first and third layers, which will provide you with mobility and mobility.
And finally, it is important to understand how moisture will be removed to the outside. Due to the difference between the air pressures under the membrane jacket and outside. Therefore, if you decide to sit motionless in a snowdrift, hoping for a “magic” membrane, there is a real chance to catch a cold thoroughly. However, this does not mean at all that you need to rush about like a madman in anticipation of a pressure difference in order for the membrane to “work”. It is enough just to move more or less actively (just in case: walking is also a movement).
Characteristics of membrane tissue
The membrane can be characterized not only by its structure and principle of operation (with or without pores), but also by its two main parameters: water resistance and the ability to release steam.
Water resistance (or water resistance), waterproofness (millimeters of water column, mm water column, mm H2O) - the height of the water column that the membrane (fabric) can withstand without getting wet. In fact, this parameter indicates the water pressure that can be maintained without getting wet. The higher the water resistance of the membrane, the more intense precipitation it can withstand without passing water through itself.
Vapor permeability (g/m2, g/m2) - the amount of water vapor that a square meter of the membrane (fabric) can pass through. Other terms apply: Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate(MVTR), moisture permeability. Most often, the average value g / (m2 24h) is indicated over a long period of time - the amount of water vapor that a square meter of the membrane (tissue) can pass in 24 hours. The higher it is, the more comfortable the clothes.
The baseline is usually 3.000mm/3000g/m2/24 hours.
Mid-level membranes usually have specifications of 8,000mm/5,000g/m2/24 hours or so.
The water resistance of high-end fabrics is usually not less than 20.000mm water column, and the breathability is not less than 8.000g/m?/24 hours.
About gluing the seams. Taped seams keep moisture out of the seams and keep you dry and comfortable as a result. The inscription "all seams are sealed" means that all seams in this product are taped. If the label says “critical seam sealing”, this means that only the main seams are taped in the product, which may or may not result in leakage in some places. It is worth noting that in products positioned by the brand as semi-urban, this option is very acceptable (usually these are products with insulation). Here, each buyer is free to choose what he wants and what suits him personally.
Water-repellent coating - DWR. Look - the droplets on the fabric are not absorbed, but lie on the fabric, rolling into balls! This is a DWR (Durable Water Reppelence) coating that does not allow water to pass even through the top layer of the fabric (that is, to be absorbed into it). On DWR-coated fabric, water rolls into balls and rolls easily. DWR, by the way, is not a durable thing, and eventually disappears (washes off), and wet spots appear on the fabric (on contact with water). This does not mean at all that the product gets wet, since the membrane will not let water through anyway, but some discomfort may be present. The resulting layer of water on top will not allow the membrane to work, no matter how steep it is. In addition, in porous membranes, in this case, it is possible for water to pass through the membrane. To avoid dying of DWR you will be helped by specially developed means with this same DWR coating (NIKWAX, WOLY, salamander), sold in stores selling extreme clothing.
Pros and cons of membrane clothing
Pros:
it is light and comfortable: the child can move on the street and enjoy the walk, and does not sit in a stroller with the ability to move only his head.

You do not spend a lot of nerves, pulling and fastening the next layer of clothing "warmer"

The child will not complain while you get dressed and go out.

Protects well from rain and snow, durable and lightweight;

again, your nerves are calm and there is no need to run home after another fall into a puddle.

It is not blown by the wind and well removes the evaporation of the body to the outside;

it is suitable for both not very cold windy weather, and for frosty;

Under it, you need to wear less clothes than usual.

Dirt is very easy to remove, you can forget about washing every other day and choose bright colors.

Minuses:
membrane clothing is quite expensive

Requires special care

Relatively short-lived

Clothing under it should be specially selected;

Not suitable for lovers of all natural.

Types of membranes
The best is the Gore-Tex microporous membrane, developed in the 60s of the 20th century for astronaut suits. For ski clothing, as a rule, two-layer Gore-Tex is used, which is lighter and softer than the three-layer, which is mainly used for hiking and mountaineering jackets.
The water resistance of the two-layer membrane is 15000 mm, and the moisture evaporation rate is 12000 g/m2/24 hours.
Approximately on the same level with Gore-Tex, non-porous membranes Triple-Point and Sympatex, ULTREX, and other fabrics under the general name hi-pora are held. Their water resistance is slightly lower - about 12000 mm, but this is enough to not get wet even in heavy rain or snow. These membranes also breathe very well. Sympatex, in addition to being applied in its pure form, is part of the Omni-Tech technology, which includes a membrane, a special water-repellent coating and a windproof layer.
Much cheaper are Ceplex and Fine-Tex membranes, which are now very actively used in the production of sportswear. The main disadvantage of Ceplex is its fragility.
While clothes with Gore-Tex, Triple-Point or Sympatex will last 4-5 years with careful handling, Ceplex rarely lasts more than one or two seasons of active use and starts to get wet. Fine-Tex, on the other hand, does not get wet, but breathes a little better than polyethylene. But these membranes themselves and clothes with them cost an order of magnitude less than analogues from Gore-Tex, Triple-Point and Sympatex.
The Ceplex membrane is used in the production of Vaude brand clothing.
Membrane Fine-Tex, Sympatex - in the brands Bolik, COOLAIR.
Hi-pora membranes - in the brands Commandor (Hi-Pora™/Evapora™), Lowe Alpine (Triple Point Ceramic), Columbia (Sympatex).

The characteristics of clothing for active sports are reminiscent of a Chinese letter. What is "membrane", "fleece" and "gore-tex"? Why do you need thermal underwear? How do "moisture-proof" and breathable properties of things combine? "SE Extreme" reveals the secrets of snow clothing!

Lucky us, modern little men! We snowboard and ski, climb, ecotourize, track and God knows what else, and there are special clothes for all 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, and down jackets, and impregnations, and anatomical suspension brackets of backpacks - there is just nothing. In general, everything is fine with us, we even complain sometimes: “I want not a two-layer, but a three-layer jacket, and so that 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's style backpacks, it becomes somehow uncomfortable. Although some don't remember, there was nothing but canvas jackets, quilted jackets, sweaters and woolen socks. But, despite all the inconveniences, people always went to the mountains, conquered the peaks, skied. They had one wisdom: the colder it is, the more you need to put on yourself. These were strong people, hardy and unassuming.

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 efficient as possible, so that it would not get wet, not blown, so that it would warm and remove moisture from the body.

Among the first to succeed 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 that same Gore private enterprise was born. Over the next 12 years, the company has achieved almost worldwide recognition and has taken a leading position in the market. Thus began the history of the clothing membrane.

WHAT IS THE MEMBRANE EATED 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 tissue 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.

By structure, the membrane can be non-porous, porous and combined.

Poreless membranes They work according to the following principle: body vapors enter the inner part 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 shortcomings? At first it may seem that the clothes get wet, but these are just the same fumes that accumulate on the inside of the thing. That is, non-porous membranes begin to breathe more slowly, however, when they “open up”, they sometimes surpass porous ones in terms of breathing properties.

Pore ​​membranes they work according to a different principle: water drops that fall on the membrane tissue 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 formed during the release of sweat are freely removed from the inside of the membrane tissue. As a result, we get the waterproofness of the membrane fabric on the outside of the product and the breathable (steam-removing) properties from the inside. The advantage of pore membranes is that they begin to breathe "quickly": they remove vapors as soon as you start to sweat. What are the disadvantages? This membrane “dies” quite quickly, that is, it loses its properties. In case of improper washing (especially with spinning!) the pores of the membrane are clogged, which greatly reduces the breathing properties - the jacket may begin to “leak”. This disadvantage can manifest itself if you are not a particular fan of taking care of your things.

Membrane combination: The fabric of the upper is covered with a porous membrane on the inside, and on top of the porous 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 above division, there is a difference in the material design itself. By design, membrane tissues 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 enough time in the mountains.

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

Three layer fabric looks like a fabric with a fine mesh from the inside. In fact, this 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 disappears - there is only one “rag” in which all three components are assembled. As a result, we have: a mega-light fabric that does not restrict movement, a small volume of the product and maximum functionality. The combination of these excellent qualities explains the high cost of products made of three-layer fabric.

"Two-and-a-half"-layer membrane fabric is a novelty in the market of modern clothes. It doesn’t sound very Russian, but it accurately conveys the meaning of technology. As a rule, this is an ordinary two-layer membrane fabric, covered from 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. membrane protection. Such jackets are as light as possible - they do not need a lining, and the weight of the 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 already mentioned GoreTex, from which we started the 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 in 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, made in Japan), Unitika (Japan). These are leaders in the field of technologies for the production of membrane fabrics, 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 other important parameters that you need to pay attention to when buying pants and jackets for outdoor activities - these are waterproofness and breathable properties of fabrics.

Waterproof Roughly speaking, this is the pressure of the water column that this 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 they 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; around 5,000 light rain and snow; around 3000 - drizzling rain and wet light snow.

Breathability depend on the amount of steam that the fabric passes over a certain period of time (now the 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 look at how much moisture the fabric has “taken away”. That is, the larger the number, the more moisture is removed. For example, in expensive quality products, water resistance is usually at least 20,000 mm of water column, and breathability is at least 8,000 g/sq. m./day. Mid-level membrane typically has a specification of 8.000mm/5.000g/sq. m/day or so.

The base level is usually 3000mm/3000gsm. m / day, although in products made from this type of fabric, insufficiently high membrane characteristics can be well combined with the presence of a large number of ventilation holes that allow you to control 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 a fabric treated with DWR, then the droplets do not absorb, but lie on the fabric, rolling into balls! This is the result of the work of DWR (Durable Water Repellence) - a coating that does not allow water to pass even through the top layer of the fabric (that is, to be absorbed into it). DWR, however, is not a durable thing (it is applied during the production of clothes) and disappears over time (washed off). So in the future, during operation and contact with water, wet spots may appear on the fabric. This does not mean at all that the product gets wet, since the membrane will not let water through anyway, 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 penetration of water into the product is possible in the porous membranes. How to deal with it? To avoid DWR dying, specially designed products with this same DWR coating (NIKWAX for example), which are sold in stores selling extreme clothing, will help. If, after washing (or more often), for example, NIKWAX or another similar agent is applied to the fabric, then the product will definitely last longer than if this is not done.

After such an abundance of information, the question is logical: “But how to take care of membrane clothing?” Let's say right away that it is necessary to wash membrane things, 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 can not use machine spinning - the membrane deteriorates from this, as spinning violates its fine structure. Do not dry clean or use bleach. Do not iron - the synthetic fabric of the top will melt, and the membrane will also 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 the especially dirty places with a brush. Can be left to dry on a string. DWR can be applied to a dry product from a spray can. I would like to note that DWR impregnation should only be applied to clean items, since when impregnating dirty material, you will not achieve a water-repellent effect. Detergents must have an inscription on the packaging - "allowed for membrane fabrics"! That's all the main secrets.

All of the above by and large refers 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.

Let's start with fleece. Fleece- this is a large group of fabrics that are made as follows: knots are tied on a sufficiently strong woven base by machine, then another machine breaks them, and a pile is obtained, which is tied to the base. It must be admitted that many people often get confused in terms of "fleece" and Polartec. Dispel your doubts: Polartec is just a fleece brand. That is, high quality fleece from Malden Mills is called Polartec. That's all wisdom.

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

Fleeces also come in membrane and non-membrane. With non-membrane, everything is clear - there is no membrane in the structure of the tissue. Membrane fleece consists, as it were, of three layers, "glued" into one.

Membrane fleece

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

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

Non-membrane fleece

1. Non-membrane Softshell- this is essentially a "sandwich", two glued types of fabric. The upper provides abrasion and tear resistance, while the one closer to the body warms and wicks away perspiration by quickly absorbing.

2. Polartec Thermal Pro- it is a warm, lightweight, moisture-repellent material, consists of two layers. The abrasion-resistant outer shell keeps out wind and light rain, while the soft fleecy inner layer provides maximum insulation. At the same time, moisture vapor from the body is freely removed to the outside. Thermal Pro made of polyester fibers is very durable and dries quickly. Unlike many fleecy fabrics, the material retains its heat-insulating properties and does not "roll" after repeated washes.

3. Polartec WindPro- A material with a denser structure than Thermal Pro, with increased wind protection characteristics.

4. Polartec 200 and similar quality fleece 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 that of sheep's wool and more than three times that of cotton.

Having comprehended all of the above, we can distinguish 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 spools even after repeated washes.
• Fleece does not wrinkle, has a pleasant to the touch structure.

Fleece, like outerwear (for example, for skiing), also requires special care. It can (and should!) be washed by hand or in a washing machine. If by hand, then with ordinary 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 washed with special gentle detergents and then rinsed in a solution that restores water repellency (for example, Nikwax Polar Proof). Fleece should not be ironed and dried in a washing machine or on a battery. Hang on a string or on a hanger - clothes will dry and keep a decent look.

How can all of the above be applied in everyday life and why is all this needed? If you are a snowboarder and skier, 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) + ski socks (rather than 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 set may vary. The point is that all sweat removal technologies work only together, and if you put on a sweater and your favorite T-shirt under a membrane jacket, then there will be no sense in the membrane. And when everything is right, then everyone is dry and comfortable. What else does a person need?

And a little about money: as we said, good quality requires a good investment. If you are not ready to spend a serious 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 after that, “splurge” on membrane things. Dress appropriately and don't be cold!

What other inscriptions can be found on the label? Rip stop- this is the name of the method of weaving fabric, which in its structure resembles a grid or honeycomb. That is, both thin and thick threads are used in this texture, which makes it possible to produce a durable and at the same time lightweight material. Twill weaving- It is a smooth, pleasant to the touch material with excellent strength characteristics. Resist Techno Soft Shell- material belonging to the class of membrane fleece. The latest in high-tech fabrics from the Softshell series, Resist Techno Soft Shell is a completely new material that provides comfort during skiing and active sports, perfectly retains heat. In addition, this fleece, in fact, works like thermal underwear - it actively removes evaporation during intensive loads and retains heat. Fabric windbloc- combines the heat-insulating and "breathing" properties of fleece and the wind and moisture resistance of the outer layer. Membrane outer surface blocks wind; the inner layer of the fabric removes excess moisture.

Thanks to the development of innovative technologies for the invention of fabrics, today in the assortment you can see a wide selection of multifunctional fabrics, one of them remains a membrane. This is a semi-permeable material, which is presented in the form of a film with a special structure. Multilayer canvases that are equipped with such a film are called membrane.

In ready-to-wear, they are able to repel water on the outside, but still allow the moisture that forms inside to evaporate. The bottom layer of the material is soft, while the top layer is protective and resistant to wear. But the middle one is a protective matter and a membrane.

Fabric Description Membrane

The membrane is a synthetic material. It has the following properties:

1. Waterproof. This indicator is presented in digital form. Denotes the pressure of water that matter can withstand. When buying membrane-based products, this criterion must be taken into account. If the product has the number 3.000, this indicates that the material is able to resist light rain. But the material with an indicator of 10.000 is not afraid of a heavy downpour. A material with 20.000 is a product that will not get wet even in severe weather and stormy conditions.
2. Vapor recovery. This criterion is also presented in number format. Displays the amount of steam in g/m2 of the web that comes out per day. The higher this criterion, the better the material.
3. Wind protection. With membrane-based products, you don’t have to worry that you will shudder from a strong wind.

Types and characteristics of the membrane material

Membrane fabric today is represented by various types. If we consider the fabric according to the designs of the canvas, then there are such types:

A distinctive feature is that instead of a lining there is a foam jersey. Such clothes made of a membrane have even less weight, but at the same time this is not reflected in any way on its properties.

On the video - a description of the fabric membrane:

Compound

Membrane fabrics today can be obtained based on the following materials:

1. Tensela. This material is obtained on the basis of eucalyptus wood. The fabric is soft, pleasant to the body and perfectly absorbs moisture. Follow the link to read in detail what is tencel fabric.
2. Polyester. This material is known to all for its ability to hold its shape. It is pleasant to the body, does not wrinkle, has high strength and long service life. The properties of polyester fabric are described here.
3. Cotton. It is a soft material that is pleasant to the touch. It does not create static electricity, retains heat and absorbs moisture. The link lists the types of cotton fabrics.
4. Bamboo. This fabric is hypoallergenic and durable. It traps the sun's rays, absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors, and is also pleasant to the body. you can find out what bamboo fiber is, whether it is synthetic or not.
5. Teflon. This matter is equipped with micropores that are present on the outer surface. The material does not allow water to pass through, but at the same time moisture evaporates perfectly without collecting inside. The disadvantage of the material is that the pores can become clogged, as a result of which the evaporation process is disrupted.
6. Polyurethane. There are no pores on its surface. The material does not pass water. The moisture that is concentrated inside first accumulates on the wrong side, and then evaporates. The disadvantage of the canvas is that the evaporation of moisture does not occur immediately, as a result of which it may seem that the product is wet. Also read which is better: polyurethane foam go holkon.
7. Combined material. Inside the canvas is a foam membrane, and on top of it is a protective layer. It doesn't let pores get clogged. Such a material has all the advantages that are characteristic of polyurethane and Teflon.

In the photo - the membrane tissue device:

Application

Membrane fabric today has become actively used for the manufacture of workwear. In the production of jackets, technology is used using dense polyester or high quality nylon. Also, the membrane fabric has proven itself well when sewing moisture-resistant suits.

Very often, in the manufacture of clothing, membrane fabric is used by the following manufacturers:

In addition to the manufacture of workwear, membrane fabric is in great demand in the following industries:

• ski and mountain tourism;
• mountaineering;
• hunting and fishing;
• winter sports;
• travel and outdoor activities.

Video: fabric application: clothing, insulation, lining

The video tells about the use of membrane fabric as a heater:

Price per meter

The average wholesale price for a membrane sheet is 350 rubles per m., taking into account the manufacturer and the characteristics of the matter, the cost can take a maximum mark of 1,500 rubles per m.