Sympatex: Difference between revisions
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The Sympatex membrane is a closed hydrophilic copolyetherester membrane, i.e. it has no pores. No water can get in from outside, but water vapour molecules are transported through the membrane from the inside to the outside by way of a physical/chemical process. The advantage: the fact that there are no pores means that they cannot become blocked by residual washing agent or salt crystals. So with closed membranes, long term breathability is maintained. Sympatex consists of a copolymer: made of polyester (waterproofing effect), and polyether (allowing water vapour through). It weighs about 30g per jacket. The membrane is only 1/100mm thick, transparent and slightly opaque, 100% waterproof, 100% windproof and with maximum breathability. The Sympatex membrane is completely recycable and environmentally friendly. |
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'''SympaTex''' or '''Sympa-Tex''' or '''Sympatex''' is a textile trademark. Sympatex is a breathable, waterproof, windproof material similar to [[Gore-Tex]] but of lower quality, because it is made of a PP [[Polypropylene]] membrane bonded to fabrics. It is used for [[waterproof fabric#waterproof/breathable fabric|waterproof/breathable fabric]]s. |
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Membranes are foils that are first manufactured individually, then applied to a textile and integrated into the garment. We differentiate between micro-porous and closed hydrophilic systems (also the case with PU coatings). Micro-porous membranes have tiny pores that cannot be permeated by compact rain, but do let through the water vapour molecules that form during perspiration. Performance of these different technologies depends on the environment in which it is measured. In wet environmens hydrophilic membranes perform best. |
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=== Model explained === |
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[[Image:Syndiotactic polypropene.png|thumb|right|200px|''Picture 1'': A ball-and-stick model of [[syndiotactic]] polypropylene.]] |
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Picture 1 shows the membrane made of PP [[Polypropylene]] and illustrates the structure of long PP molecules made from parts that have different charges (+ or -). This membrane uses the [[Water_molecule#Dipolar_nature_of_water|dipolar property]] of a [[water molecule]] ([[hydrogen|H]]<sub>2</sub>[[oxygen|O]]). |
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[[Image:Water_molecule_dimensions.png|thumb|200px|right|''Picture 2'': Atomic structure of the water molecule]] |
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When there is a difference in pressure, the water molecule is attracted with its (H) end to the PP molecule which moves toward the place of less pressure - usualy outward. But if the temperature of H<sub>2</sub>O and O<sub>2</sub> is higher than your body temperature, every membrane will draw H<sub>2</sub>O to you body. |
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[[Category:Textiles]] |
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Revision as of 16:34, 4 April 2006
The Sympatex membrane is a closed hydrophilic copolyetherester membrane, i.e. it has no pores. No water can get in from outside, but water vapour molecules are transported through the membrane from the inside to the outside by way of a physical/chemical process. The advantage: the fact that there are no pores means that they cannot become blocked by residual washing agent or salt crystals. So with closed membranes, long term breathability is maintained. Sympatex consists of a copolymer: made of polyester (waterproofing effect), and polyether (allowing water vapour through). It weighs about 30g per jacket. The membrane is only 1/100mm thick, transparent and slightly opaque, 100% waterproof, 100% windproof and with maximum breathability. The Sympatex membrane is completely recycable and environmentally friendly.
Membranes are foils that are first manufactured individually, then applied to a textile and integrated into the garment. We differentiate between micro-porous and closed hydrophilic systems (also the case with PU coatings). Micro-porous membranes have tiny pores that cannot be permeated by compact rain, but do let through the water vapour molecules that form during perspiration. Performance of these different technologies depends on the environment in which it is measured. In wet environmens hydrophilic membranes perform best.