Waterproof fabrics are usually natural or synthetic fabrics that are laminated to or coated in some sort of permanently waterproofing material, such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), silicone elastomer, and wax. Examples include the rubberised fabric used in Mackintosh jackets and inflatable boats. Rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer which occurs as a milky emulsion (known as latex) in the sap of a number of plants but can also be produced synthetically. ... Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a widely-used plastic. ... A polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. ... Wax has traditionally referred to a substance that is secreted by bees (beeswax) and used by them in constructing their honeycombs. ... Mackintosh shop, Burlington Arcade London A Mackintosh is a form of waterproof raincoat, first sold in 1824, made out of rubberised fabric. ... Two inflatable boats at Horsea Island, England An inflatable boat is a light-weight but high performance and high capacity boat constructed with flexible tubes at the gunwale. ...

Waterproof/breathable fabrics

(alternate spellings include 'waterproof breathable' and 'waterproof-breathable')

Waterproof/breathable fabrics are defined as fabrics that will withstand over 1000 millimetres of water (9.8 kPa) pressure without leaking (see hydrostatic head), whilst allowing water vapour to pass through. Their most common use is in outdoor sports clothing and single wall tents, because of their ability to allow sweat to evaporate while remaining impervious to rain. Boundaries: Phase, Pressure, Temperature Evaporation/Sublimation Whenever a water molecule leaves a surface, it is said to have evaporated. ...

Some common waterproof/breathable fabrics are:

• Gore-Tex
• eVENT
• Sympatex
• Drilite Extreme, made by Mountain Equipment
• HyVent, made by The North Face
• H2No, made by Patagonia
• Conduit, made by Mountain Hardwear
• Triplepoint Ceramic, made by Lowe Alpine
• Closely woven cotton
• Wax impregnated cotton or cotton/polyester mixes (such as those used in Barbour coats and Fjällräven's G-1000 fabric)

Gore-Tex membrane, electron microphotograph Gore-Tex is a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates best known for its use in relation to waterproof/breathable fabrics. ... SympaTex or Sympa-Tex or Sympatex is a textile trademark. ...

See also

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coatings. Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finishes are hydrophobic coatings applied to fabrics to make them water-resistant by causing water to bead up and roll off fabrics, rather than soaking into them. ...