Improving approaches to clothing manufacturing processes today provides a wide range of products with unrivaled qualities. Lightweight, comfortable, resistant to wind and frost, the fabric is the dream of any hunter and athlete whose activity takes place in harsh climatic conditions. Conventional materials are unable to cope with such tasks, so special technologies come to the rescue. For example, in the circles of professional hunters and athletes you can hear the concept of “membrane tissue”. What it is? In essence, this is a coating that provides enhanced performance properties of clothing. However, the complex structure and unusual texture led to the release of the membrane into a separate group of tissues. In any case, this is how manufacturers position them. It is important for consumers themselves to have an idea of the working qualities of this material, the advantages and disadvantages that it possesses.
Membrane Tissue Overview
A membrane should be considered rather as a fabric processing technology. There are two main approaches to the manufacture of materials. In the first case, a thin film is used, which laminates the outer surface of the garment. A gluing or soldering technique may be used. The second option involves the use of special impregnation, which is used to process the material. Now the following question can be clarified a little. Membrane tissue - what is it?
As you can see, the membrane is hardly worth attributing to an independent material. This is a means by which the surface of clothing is endowed with protective qualities. In essence, a membrane is a film coating or impregnation. Another thing is that this processing in itself is the result of a rather complicated production. As a result, a chemical structure is formed that allows clothes to act as reliable protection against cold, wind and rain. The unique qualities of such films and coatings include providing a comfortable microclimate in any conditions. For example, by protecting against severe frost, the fabric also promotes the natural removal of moisture through air circulation.
Varieties of material
The main classification involves the separation of membranes by their structure. In particular, pore, pore-free and combined coatings are isolated. Clothing in which the pore coating is implemented is characterized by the ability to provide ventilation without letting moisture pass. In other words, a jumpsuit made of a membrane fabric of this type does not let a drop of water pass, but it removes vapor under the layers of clothing.
The advantage is obvious, but such material requires special care measures. Against this background, pore-free fabric looks much more advantageous. It is also distinguished by its ability to protect clothing from moisture, and the output of internal fumes is provided due to the diffusion effect, that is, the principle of osmosis is applied. In this case, the coating not only has increased strength and protection against mechanical damage, but also does not require special care. For example, washing membrane-free fabrics on a non-porous basis is carried out in the same way as with ordinary things. As for the combined models, they combine the high efficiency of the internal air vent, strength and water-repellent effect. But the cost of clothes with such a membrane is the highest.
Advantages and disadvantages of fabric
Membrane tissues have a lot of positive qualities, which are mainly expressed in protection from getting wet, wind and cold. Here it is worth turning to the answer to another important question.
Membrane fabric - what is it from the point of view of operation? This is comfort and resistance to external threats, which are not limited to the weather at all. For example, it is important for the hunter that the fabric is not damaged by branches in the forest and is not contaminated. And the best membrane suit models meet these requirements. Unfortunately, not without cons. First of all, this is a high cost. If you purchase inexpensive models, then there is no plus in the form of low maintenance. In addition, cheap membrane clothing is short-lived.
Jacket membrane fabric
Thick coatings that include several layers are not suitable for this type of clothing. As a rule, these are tracksuits for which lightness and durability with the effect of waterproofing are important. Usually membrane jacket fabrics are made using Ice-Team and Hi-Tech technologies. The first development involves the use of high-quality nylon, which combines the lightness of the material with a vapor-tight effect and strength. Hi-Tech membrane technology is characterized by the use of dense polyester. This feature determines the high protection of the jackets from moisture, good ventilation, as well as compliance with all hygiene standards.
Materials for hunters
The nature of the exploitation of clothing by hunters can be called extreme. Therefore, membrane materials are used in high quality. This equipment is distinguished by its multi-layering, the presence of lightning with a water-repellent coating, a minimum number of seams and high ergonomics. From the point of view of the internal microclimate, clothing for hunting made of membrane fabric should provide a water-repellent barrier at the level of 2,000 cm of water column, as well as high ventilation ability. In approaches to the development of such equipment one can find one contradiction. It lies in the fact that manufacturers seek to increase tightness by minimizing seams and lightnings, but at the same time leave seemingly unnecessary ventilation openings. But this is the secret, since all free channels can be closed and regulated, and this allows you to provide a steam outlet as necessary.
Hunting suits with GoreTex technology
There are several areas in which GoreTex technology is developing, but all of them are subordinate to the ideas of providing a reliable barrier to water, wind and cold. As a rule, clothes for hunting from membrane fabric are distinguished by the presence of a thin and uniform coating. The basis for the protective film is the polymer PTFE. Even against the background of membrane materials, this coating has many advantages. For example, a film is made with the expectation of obtaining a huge number of micropores. Compared to the size of a water molecule, such a pore is 700 times smaller. Another characteristic is also important for hunters - protection against pollution. Firstly, the surface of the fabric itself provides a repulsive effect for foreign bodies. But the uniqueness of clothing lies in the ability to not absorb fats and substances that may contain water vapor.
Windstopper membrane for storm clothing
Clothing models using Windstopper technology are designed for use in sports and tourism. In particular, it can be equipment for skiers, snowboarders, cyclists and even climbers. Its main function is to protect against wind and moisture. But it is very important for the consumers of this group to ensure comfort so that the tracksuit made of membrane fabric is soft for freedom of movement. To achieve this, apparel designers use a multi-layered concept. That is, it is not necessary to use a full set of equipment to perform basic protection functions. Depending on the conditions, you can limit yourself to only protection from wind, moisture or snow.
Features of fabric care
In the care of such a fabric, the features of the coating used should be considered. They may vary. For example, the mentioned combined materials with pores do not require any maintenance at all. But for the most part, such clothing still requires the observance of certain precautions. Manufacturers do not recommend ironing with protective coatings, since high temperature can destroy the structure of the film. Only a special tool for fluorine-based membrane tissues will help restore the coating. In particular, water-repellent qualities are formed in this way.
The nuances of washing membrane products
Before washing, fasten all sections and niches of clothing. The most crucial step is the choice of detergent. Immediately exclude all types of powders, rinses and conditioners, as they can clog pores. Oddly enough, laundry soap is the best detergent for washing any type of membrane tissue. Of course, the effectiveness of such disposal of pollution is not so high, but there is no alternative. The fact is that the pores are very susceptible to the effects of chemistry, especially one that contains small granules. You should also exclude machine wash. The operation should be carried out manually, carefully performing the spin.
Features of membrane tissue storage
In order not to damage the pores, storage should be arranged in an upright position on a hanger. This will eliminate the risk of deformation of the coating and preserve its performance. It is also recommended to use a plastic cover as a shell. The structure possessed by clothes made of membrane fabric can become clogged during long-term storage. Therefore, pores should also be protected from fine dust particles. Obviously, the main chores regarding the maintenance and care of such clothes are caused by the characteristics of micropores. In this sense, it is much more profitable to purchase non-pore things that are free from strict care requirements, but again they are much more expensive.
Conclusion
With all the positive qualities of such clothes, there are a number of other nuances of its operation. Among them are special requirements for thermal underwear, which provides membrane fabric. What is this in terms of climate management? This is the top layer of clothing, which, among other things, is designed to remove moisture. But to ensure effective air circulation, appropriate elements of thermal underwear should be selected. In particular, items made using polyester, cotton and polypropylene are recommended. In this combination, they will provide the best protective effect in all climatic conditions. True, a lot of money will have to be paid for such equipment.