What Is Waterproof and Oil-Proof Fabric?

The "three-proof" fabric refers to the fabric that has been treated with a technology to form a stable air interface protective film on the surface of the fabric, which can prevent water, oil, and stains. The fabric treated with such a process is called a "three-proof" fabric.

The true waterproof and oil-proof fabric refers to the fabric that can resist oil but not soak it, and can resist water but not seep.

It is suitable for making labor protection clothing that frequently contacts with oil and water media, and is widely used in petroleum, chemical, gas stations, mining, chef uniforms, repair, and other industries.

Waterproof: The fabric is coated with a water-resistant film that does not allow water to penetrate but does not close the pores of the fabric, thus making the fabric both water-resistant and breathable.

Oil-proof: When the fabric is not wetted by oil, it has oil resistance.

Anti-stain: In fact, it is a method of reducing the speed and degree of soiling and making it easy to clean, including easy-to-clean and dirt-resistant finishes.

Easy-to-clean fabric refers to the fabric that is very easy to wash or even wipe off stains after being contaminated by pollutants. The fabric treated with an easy-to-clean agent has the dual functions of anti-stain and easy-to-clean, that is, it is not easy to be stained with oil during use. Once it is stained, it can be easily washed under normal conditions.

If the fabric has oil and water resistance and anti-stain properties at the same time, it can be called a "three-proof" fabric.

Water Repellent Finishing Mechanism:

The water repellency of the fabric refers to the performance of the fabric to repel water droplets from its surface. The purpose of water repellent finishing is to prevent water from wetting the fabric and prevent liquid water from penetrating it, while still maintaining the fabric's breathability and moisture permeability.

After water repellent finishing, a substance is adsorbed on the surface of the fabric, causing its original high-energy surface to become a low-energy surface. The surface tension changes, and the fabric changes from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Water droplets on it can roll but cannot wet it. The smaller the surface, the better the effect.

In terms of the moisture permeability of the fabric after waterproof finishing, it can be divided into moisture permeable waterproof finishing and non-moisture permeable waterproof finishing.

•Moisture permeable waterproof finishing: Hydrophobic substances form a continuous film on the fabric surface, which can prevent water penetration and withstand long-term rain and a certain water pressure. Clothing usually adopts moisture-permeable waterproof finishing, which has a certain waterproof performance without reducing the moisture permeability of the fabric, and is comfortable to wear without feeling stuffy and hot.

•Non-moisture permeable waterproof finishing: Non-moisture permeable waterproof fabrics are usually used for waterproof canvas, tents, and packaging.

Oil Repellent Finishing Mechanism:

Perfluoroalkyl groups should be selected as the oil repellent groups. After the oil repellent agent is applied to the fabric, a new surface with low surface energy is formed, making it difficult for oil to wet it.

The distribution state of the fluorine-containing oil repellent group on the fiber surface is an important factor affecting the oil repellency. To achieve the maximum oil repellency, the required amount of oil repellent agent depends on the structure of the fabric and the structure of the fluorine-containing oil repellent agent.

Under the same number of carbon atoms, perfluoroalkane is more effective than substituted branched alkane.

Mechanism of Anti-Stain and Easy-to-Clean Finishing.

1. Mechanisms for Anti-staining and Easy-to-Clean Finishing

Anti-staining finishing includes preventing oil stains (not easy to adhere to oil stains), easy removal of stains after contamination (easy-to-clean), and preventing recontamination during washing (anti-re-staining). To achieve the goal of anti-staining, it is necessary to carry out anti-oil-staining finishing and easy-to-clean finishing.

There are generally three methods to make fabrics have anti-staining properties: sizing method, film-forming method, and fiber chemical modification method.

The sizing method forms a protective layer of sizing material on the surface of the fabric. This protective layer loosens partially or completely during washing, which promotes the removal of adsorbed dirt and achieves the purpose of easy cleaning. This anti-staining effect is not durable and belongs to temporary anti-staining finishing.

The film-forming method uses polymer compounds to form a wash-resistant, hydrophilic film on the surface of the fiber, which promotes the wettability of the fiber during washing and helps to remove attached dirt.

The fiber chemical modification method improves the anti-staining properties of cotton and synthetic fibers by chemical modification.

2. Mechanisms for Easy-to-Clean Finishing

Hydrophilic anti-staining finishing, also known as easy-to-clean finishing or degreasing finishing, reduces the critical surface tension of the fiber surface, making dirt on the fabric easy to fall off and improving the recontamination phenomenon during washing.

The mechanism of easy-to-clean finishing is related to the diffusion of water and detergent towards the oil-fiber interface.

Easy-to-clean finishing agents can promote the diffusion of water into the interior of the fabric and fiber bundles, as well as the oil-fiber interface.

When the interface and fiber surface are hydrated, the oil stains and fibers can be separated.

When the fiber surface is coated with easy-to-clean finishing agents, water can diffuse through the easy-to-clean finishing agent beneath the dirt, resulting in the separation of oily stains.

The Production of Water and Oil Repellent Textiles.

There are several types of water repellent agents used for water repellent finishing, including paraffin-aluminum soap emulsion, pyridinium quaternary salt and chromium stearate complex, hydroxymethyl melamine derivatives, organic silicon compounds, and organic fluorine compounds.

I. General water repellent finishing

(1) Temporary waterproofing agents

(2) Durable water repellent agents

(3) Organic silicone oil emulsion

II. Organic fluorine water repellent, oil repellent, and stain resistant finishing

Fluorine-containing compounds not only have water repellent properties, but also have oil repellent properties against various oils with low surface tension.

III. Stain resistant, easy-to-clean finishing

In general, stain resistant finishing is not particularly difficult. It can be achieved by adding appropriate additives during resin finishing. Additives with stain resistant properties are called stain resistant agents.

Stain resistant agents can be divided into temporary stain resistant agents, durable or semi-durable stain resistant agents based on their durability. Durable or semi-durable stain resistant agents are mainly used in fabric finishing.

Advantages of BEGOODTEX Waterproof, Oil-Repellent, and Stain-Resistant Fabrics.

1. Lower tendency to yellowing, suitable for light and white fabrics.

2. Prevents stains from settling in the amorphous area of fibers, making stains on the fabric easy to remove.

3. Significant anti-dry stain performance, dust and dirt are easily removed by brushing, and clothing can maintain a new appearance for a long time.

4. Good operability, does not soil the drum, maintaining production efficiency.

5. Excellent water washing resistance, the fabric can still maintain excellent protection after multiple washings.

6. Does not contain volatile organic solvents/flash, no volatile substances during drying and baking.

7. Does not affect the breathability of the fabric, comfortable to wear.

Applications of IFR + Three-Proof Fabrics.

Three-proof fabrics are widely used in various industries, such as workwear, outdoor clothing, field equipment, automotive interiors, home textiles, and regular clothing. In addition, three-proof fabrics are also commonly used in medical and hygiene industries.

A. Field Army Uniforms, Firefighting, and Military Special Clothing

B. Protective Equipment, Military Tents, Sleeping Bags, and Postal Bags

C. Sportswear for Mountain Climbing, Skiing, Golf, etc.

D. Materials for Shoes and Hats, Luggage, Light-Blocking Curtains, and UV-Resistant Umbrella Fabric

E. Raincoats that are Waterproof and Breathable, Leisure Windbreakers

F. Medical Insurance Supplies