Durable Water Repellent Finishing Systems
topic
Durable water repellent finishing applies fluorocarbon or non-fluorocarbon polymer emulsions at 0.5 to 2 percent solid add-on through padding or exhaust application followed by curing at 150 to 170 degrees Celsius, creating a low surface energy coating on individual fibre surfaces that causes water to bead and roll off the fabric surface with contact angles above 130 degrees while maintaining fabric breathability and air permeability.
Role
Provides the water repellent performance of outdoor technical textiles by reducing fibre surface energy below the critical surface tension of water that causes beading and runoff rather than wetting, with DWR durability through laundering being the primary performance challenge driving development of non-PFAS fluorine-free DWR chemistries to replace conventional PFAS-based fluorocarbon finishes under increasing regulatory restriction.