|
Gore-Tex
is a
registered
trademark
of
W.L. Gore & Associates, best known for its use in relation to
waterproof
/
breathable fabrics.
Gore-Tex
materials
are
typically
based
on expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE and other Fluoropolymer products .
They
are
used
in a
wide
variety
of applications
such
as high
performance
fabrics,
medical implants, filter media, insulation for wires and cables, gaskets and
sealants.
Gore-Tex material is composed of a thin, porous
fluoropolymer membrane, bonded to some fabric, usually nylon or
polyester. The membrane has about 9 billion pores per square inch,
making it impenetrable for liquid water while allowing the water vapor through.
The result is a material that is waterproof and breathable. The outer fabric is
additionally treated with water repellent.
The
best
known
application
for
Gore-Tex
fabrics
is in
outdoor
activity
clothing.
The
structure
of the
fabric
forms
an effective
barrier
against
wind
and
rain,
while
still
allowing
water
vapour
to pass
through.
This
helps
to keep
the
wearer
warm
and
dry,
while
the
breathability
allows
sweat
to escape.
The
first
commercial
consumer
product
using
Gore-Tex
was
a tent
called
the
Light
Dimension
that
was
created
and
sold
by the
Seattle
firm,
Early
Winters,
Ltd.,
in 1976.
Gore
requires
that
all
garments
made
from
their
material
have
taping
over
the
seams,
to eliminate
leaks.
This
requires
special
machinery.
The
fabric
is not
available
on open
market,
and
is exclusively
licensed
for
specific
manufacturers,
to maintain
the
highest
quality
control.
Gore's
sister
product,
Windstopper,
is similar
to Gore-Tex
in being
windproof
and
breathable,
but
is not
waterproof.
Learn about
waterproof fabrics & clothing.
You
can
visit
the
Gore-tex
official
web
site
at
https://www.gore.com/
fabric Definitions
Cloth Definition
Clothing Definitions
Wool fiber Definition
Fashion Industry
Fast Facts
- listed from the W.L Gore & Associates web
site Jan. 5, 2006
-
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., was founded
January 1, 1958, in Newark, Delaware, by
Wilbert L. (Bill) and Genevieve (Vieve)
Gore.
-
Worldwide sales in the past fiscal year
were $1.84 Billion.
-
Gore is a privately held company.
-
Approximately 7,000 associates work in more
than 40 plants and sales locations worldwide.
-
Sales and customer service sites are located
in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil,
China, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russia,
Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan,
and the United States.
-
Manufacturing operations are clustered in
the U.S., Germany, Scotland, Japan, and
China.
-
Proprietary technologies with the versatile
polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have
resulted in numerous products for electronic
signal transmission; fabric laminates; medical
implants; as well as membrane, filtration,
sealant, and fibers technologies for diverse
industries.
-
Gore established a venture partnership in
Japan in 1969 with Junkosha Co., Ltd. In
1974 co-founded Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
Learn more
about
fabric.
Learn
about knit fabrics.
Learn
about woven fabrics.
|
