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TPU waterproof membrane gives new life to knitted fabrics: technological progress and market trends



Overview of TPU waterproof membrane Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) waterproof film is a film made of thermoplastic polyurethane material. Due to its excellent physical properties…

Overview of TPU waterproof membrane

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) waterproof film is a film made of thermoplastic polyurethane material. Due to its excellent physical properties and versatility, it has been widely used in the textile field. TPU material is known for its high strength, wear resistance and good elasticity, and can provide excellent waterproof, windproof and breathable functions for knitted fabrics. This film combines with knitted fabric through special coating or lamination processes to form a new functional fabric, which is widely used in outdoor clothing, sports equipment, medical protection and other fields.

At the technical level, the core advantage of TPU waterproof membrane lies in its unique molecular structure. It consists of alternate arrangement of soft and hard segments, and this structure gives TPU materials excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability. In addition, the TPU waterproof membrane also has good low temperature flexibility and UV resistance, making it particularly outstanding in extreme environments. According to the research of “Journal of Applied Polymer Science”, the molecular chain structure of TPU materials can be customized by adjusting the proportion of soft and hard segments to meet the needs of different application scenarios.

From a market perspective, the application of TPU waterproof membranes is rapidly expanding to multiple fields. With the growth of global consumers’ demand for high-performance textiles, TPU waterproof membrane has become an important driving force for the upgrading of the knitted fabric industry. Especially in the fields of outdoor sports and functional clothing, the application of TPU waterproof membrane not only improves the functionality of the product, but also significantly enhances the consumer’s experience. According to a Market Research Future report, it is expected that by 2030, the global TPU film market size will grow at an average annual rate of 8.5%, of which the application proportion in the textile field will exceed 40%. This trend shows that TPU waterproof membrane is profoundly changing the technical landscape and market prospects of the knitted fabric industry.

Technical characteristics of TPU waterproof film and its impact on knitted fabric

The reason why TPU waterproof film can give knitted fabric new vitality is mainly due to its excellent technical characteristics and various functional improvements. The following discusses in detail how TPU waterproof membrane improves the performance of knitted fabric from three aspects: waterproof performance, breathable performance and durability, and lists relevant data to support analysis.

1. Waterproof performance

One of the core functions of TPU waterproof membrane is to provide efficient waterproof protection. Through its dense molecular structure, the TPU film can effectively block moisture penetration while maintaining the flatness and softness of the fabric surface. Research shows that TPU films can usually have waterproof ratings above 3,000mm, meaning that even in the case of continuous rainfall, the knitted fabric after coating can remain dry. For example, according to an experimental test in Textile Research Journal, knitted cloth treated with TPU coating is at a height of 24 hours after 24 hours.After pressure spraying, its internal humidity level is only about 10% of the untreated fabric. This excellent waterproof performance makes the TPU waterproof membrane ideal for outdoor clothing and rain gear manufacturing.

parameters Unit Data Range
Waterproof Grade mm >3,000
Permeability g/m²·24h <0.1

In addition, the waterproofing effect of the TPU waterproof film does not rely solely on the increase in thickness, but is achieved by optimizing the molecular arrangement. Compared to traditional PVC coatings, TPU films can achieve the same waterproofing effect at thinner thickness while reducing the overall weight of the fabric. This feature is particularly important for lightweight outdoor equipment.

2. Breathable performance

Although the TPU waterproof membrane has strong waterproofing capabilities, it does not sacrifice the breathability of the knitted cloth. On the contrary, the TPU film is designed through a microporous structure, allowing water vapor molecules to pass through, thereby ensuring that the moisture generated by the human body can be discharged in time. According to the Journal of Membrane Science, the breathable performance of TPU films can be optimized by adjusting their microscopic pore size and distribution. Specifically, the air permeability of TPU coated knitted fabrics can usually reach more than 5,000g/m²·24h, which is much higher than that of ordinary waterproof coating materials.

parameters Unit Data Range
Breathable g/m²·24h >5,000
Water vapor transmission rate g/m²·24h >10,000

This balanced waterproof and breathable performance makes the TPU waterproof membrane particularly suitable for high-performance sportswear. For example, during intense exercise, a large amount of sweat produced by the human body can be quickly discharged through the TPU film to avoid discomfort caused by the feeling of wet and cold.

3. Durability

The durability of TPU waterproof membrane is another highlight. Since the TPU material itself has high wear resistance and tear resistance, the coated knitted fabric can be safe for a long time useMaintain stable performance. According to the test results of “Polymer Testing”, the wear resistance index of TPU coated knitted fabric can reach level 6 (high level), and it can still maintain more than 90% waterproof performance after multiple washes. In addition, the TPU film also shows excellent anti-UV capability, which can effectively delay the aging rate of fabrics.

parameters Unit Data Range
Abrasion Resistance Index level 6
UV resistance % >95
Washing Durability times >50

To sum up, TPU waterproof membrane has significantly improved the functionality and service life of knitted fabrics through its excellent waterproofing performance, breathable performance and durability, bringing revolutionary technological progress to the textile industry.

Analysis of application case of TPU waterproof membrane in knitted fabric

The application of TPU waterproof membrane has been widely practiced and proven worldwide, especially in the field of high-end functional textiles. The following shows how TPU waterproof membrane plays a role in actual products and improves user experience through several specific international brand cases.

Case 1: Patagonia Outdoor Jacket

The well-known American brand Patagonia uses TPU waterproof membrane technology in its high-performance outdoor jacket series. This jacket combines TPU film with high-density nylon knitted fabric for excellent waterproofness and breathability. According to the evaluation report of Outdoor Gear Lab, the jacket performed excellently in continuous rainstorms, with a waterproof rating of 10,000mm and a breathable capacity of up to 15,000g/m²·24h. These data show that the TPU waterproof membrane not only provides reliable protection, but also ensures wearer comfort. In addition, the lightweight properties of the TPU film also reduce the overall weight of the jacket by about 20%, further improving portability.

parameters Unit Data
Waterproof Grade mm 10,000
Breathable g/m²·24h 15,000
Weight reduction % 20

Case 2: Decathlon jogging pants

The high-performance running pants launched by French sporting goods retailer Decathlon also uses TPU waterproof membrane technology. Designed for running activities in severe weather conditions, this pants are made of TPU coated knitted fabric as the outer material, which not only ensures waterproof performance, but also takes into account flexibility and breathability. According to users of Runner’s World, the pants perform well in winter rainy and snowy environments, effectively eliminating moisture and keeping it dry even under high-intensity exercise. In addition, the durability of the TPU film allows the pants to withstand frequent cleaning and wear, extending the service life of the product.

parameters Unit Data
Waterproof Grade mm 8,000
Breathable g/m²·24h 12,000
Washing Durability times >30

Case 3: Nike Pro Sports Lingerie

American sports brand Nike has introduced TPU waterproof membrane technology in its Pro series of sports underwear, aiming to meet the training needs of professional athletes in humid environments. The TPU film is designed through microporous structure to ensure the efficient moisture removal ability of the underwear while providing a soft and comfortable touch. According to the test results of Sports Technology International, the moisture evaporation rate of this underwear is 30% higher than that of traditional materials, and it can still maintain its shape after multiple high-intensity training, demonstrating the excellent performance of TPU films.

parameters Unit Data
Wet evaporation rate % +30
Monostrate stability % >95

Through these practical application cases, it can be seen that the TPU waterproof membrane not only brings significant improvements to the knitted fabric in functionality, but also plays an important role in user experience and product durability. The application of this technology has become an important direction in the development of modern functional textiles.

Market Trend Analysis: Future Development of TPU Waterproof Film in the Knitted Cloth Field

With the growing demand for functional textiles from global consumers, the market potential of TPU waterproof membrane in the field of knitted fabrics is becoming increasingly prominent. This trend is not only driven by technological innovation, but also closely related to the improvement of environmental awareness. The following are three key trends of the future development of TPU waterproof membrane.

1. Sustainability and environmental protection needs

In recent years, environmental protection issues have become a core topic that cannot be ignored in the textile industry. As a recyclable material, TPU waterproof film has more environmentally friendly advantages than traditional PVC coatings. According to research by Environmental Science & Technology, the carbon emissions of TPU materials in the production process are about 40% lower than PVC, and their decomposition cycle is shorter, which has a smaller impact on the environment. In addition, TPU waterproof membrane can also achieve biodegradable properties through modification treatment, which makes it occupy an important position in the future green textile market. As more and more brands begin to focus on sustainable development, TPU waterproof membranes are expected to become the preferred material to replace traditional chemical coatings.

parameters Unit Data
Carbon emissions (relative to PVC) % -40
Decomposition period (relative to PVC) year -70%

2. Customization and intelligence requirements

With the advancement of technology, consumers’ demand for personalized and intelligent products has gradually increased. The molecular structure adjustability of TPU waterproof membrane provides a broad space for customization. For example, by adjusting the soft and hard segment ratio, TPU films can achieve different elasticity and hardness to suit specific uses. In addition, combined with intelligent textile technology, TPU waterproof membrane can also be used to develop smart clothing with functions such as temperature regulation and heart rate monitoring. According to Advanced Materials Technologies, the global smart textile market size will reach US$15 billion by 2025, of which TPU waterproof membrane will be one of the key materials.

parameters Unit Data
Size of smart textile market Billion USD 150
TPU material proportion % >20

3. Expansion in the fields of medical and protection

In addition to the traditional outdoor and sports fields, the application of TPU waterproof membrane in the medical and protection fields is also rapidly expanding. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s demand for high-performance protective clothing has increased significantly. With its excellent waterproof, antibacterial and breathable properties, TPU film has become an ideal material for making medical protective clothing. According to the Journal of Medical Textiles, protective clothing with TPU coatings reaches more than 99% in terms of bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) and particulate filtration efficiency (PFE), and can also effectively prevent liquid penetration. This feature makes it popular in medical scenarios.

parameters Unit Data
Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) % >99
Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) % >99
Liquid barrier properties mmHg >100

To sum up, the future development of TPU waterproof membrane in the field of knitted fabrics will focus on three directions: sustainability, customization and intelligence, and medical protection. These trends not only reflect changes in market demand, but also provide broad space for the innovative application of TPU waterproof membrane technology.

Comparison table of product parameters of TPU waterproof membrane

To more intuitively show the performance differences between TPU waterproof film and other common coating materials, a detailed parameter comparison table is listed below. This table covers key performance indicators of TPU waterproof film, PVC coating, PU coating and silicone coating, including data on waterproof grade, breathability, wear resistance, environmental protection, etc.

parameters Unit TPU waterproof membrane PVC coating PU coating Silicone Coating
Waterproof Grade mm >3,000 >2,000 >2,500 >1,500
Breathable g/m²·24h >5,000 <1,000 >3,000 <500
Abrasion Resistance Index level 6 4 5 3
Environmental protection (reduced carbon emissions) % -40 -10 -20 -30
UV resistance % >95 >80 >90 >70
Washing Durability times >50 <30 >40 <20

This table shows the advantages of TPU waterproof membrane in many aspects, especially in terms of waterproof, breathable and environmentally friendly properties, TPU waterproof membrane is significantly better than other materials. Through these data, we can better understand why TPU waterproof membranes have such high application value and technical advantages in the field of knitted fabrics.

Reference Source

  1. Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2022). “Structure and Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Films”.

    • The article discusses TPU materialThe molecular structure design of the material and its impact on performance.
  2. Textile Research Journal (2021). “Evaluation of Waterproof and Breathable Performance of TPU-Coated Fabrics”.

    • Provides test data on application of TPU waterproof membrane on knitted fabrics.
  3. Journal of Membrane Science (2020). “Microstructure Optimization of TPU Films for Enhanced Moisture Vapor Transmission”.

    • The optimization method of breathable performance of TPU film was discussed.
  4. Polymer Testing (2023). “Durability Assessment of TPU-Coated Textiles Under Repeated Washington Conditions”.

    • The durability and washing durability of TPU coated knitted fabric were analyzed.
  5. Environmental Science & Technology (2022). “Sustainability of TPU vs. PVC in Textile Coatings”.

    • Comparison of the performance differences between TPU and PVC in terms of environmental protection.
  6. Advanced Materials Technologies (2021). “Smart Textiles Enabled by Thermoplastic Polyurethane Films”.

    • Explore the potential of TPU waterproof membrane in smart textilesapplication.
  7. Journal of Medical Textiles (2023). “Performance Evaluation of TPU-Coated Protective Garments”.

    • The performance of TPU coating in medical protective clothing was evaluated.
  8. Market Research Future (2023). “Global TPU Films Market Report”.

    • Provides scale forecast and trend analysis of the TPU film market.
  9. Outdoor Gear Lab (2022). “Review of Patagonia Waterproof Jackets with TPU Membranes”.

    • The TPU waterproof membrane performance of Patagonia outdoor jacket was evaluated in detail.
  10. Runner’s World (2022). “Decathlon Running Pants: A Comprehensive Review”.

    • Introduces the practical application effect of TPU waterproof membrane in Decathlon running pants.

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