FTTS-FA-011　Water Repellent Textiles

Download Test Method

Water repellent fabrics are processed with water repellent additives, so that water droplets form on the surface but do not penetrate the fabric, a phenomenon known as “the lotus effect.” The efficiency of water repellency is graded in 6 ratings as 0, 50, 70, 80, 90 and 100. A standard test is usually performed after five launderings with water at a temperature of forty degrees Celcius. To qualify as water repellent, the fabric must perform to at least rating four (90% or better efficiency). Further tests for endurance of water repellency may be performed after 20, 50 or 100 launderings at similar temperatures to the initial test. Water Repellency Textiles are commonly used in fabrics for wind breakers outer garments, umbrellas, furniture decorations to name just a few.

Taiwan technology for Water Repellent Textiles achieves rating 100 initially, and not less than rating 80 after 100 launderings. The test method employed is AATCC 22. The Optical Contact Angle for lotus leaf is 135°; ordinary water-repellency treatments reach 130°; ordinary nano-treatments achieve 140°. However, with Taiwan’s special nano-technology for functional textiles, the Optical Contact Angle reaches up to 150°.

This criterion defines the evaluation and testing of water repellency textiles. It is applicable to textiles with water-repellent finishes. However it is not intended to measure penetration of water through the textiles.

 

Grade	classification
100(ISO 5)	Excellent
90(ISO 4)	Very Good
80(ISO 3)	Good
70(ISO 2)	---
50(ISO 1)	---
0	---