SFM1 : fabrication and development of highly breathable membranes for sports apparel

In recent years, waterproof-breathable fabrics have shown considerable market potential due to their popularity in usage for sports apparel. While Gore-Tex® has largely dominated this market, its associated carcinogenicity and ecotoxicity necessitate the development of improved substitutes. This stu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Tan, Benson Zhi Yong
Other Authors: Alfred Tok Iing Yoong
Format: Final Year Project
Language:English
Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/138612
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
Description
Summary:In recent years, waterproof-breathable fabrics have shown considerable market potential due to their popularity in usage for sports apparel. While Gore-Tex® has largely dominated this market, its associated carcinogenicity and ecotoxicity necessitate the development of improved substitutes. This study explores the fabrication of highly-breathable membranes by film-casting, solvent-evaporation precipitation, immersion precipitation, and also porogen-leaching. The breathability would be gauged by water vapour transmission testing, and membrane structure would be analysed by secondary electron microscopy imaging. This study eventually developed membranes which show better breathability than commercially-used thermoplastic polyurethane membranes.