The Gore-Tex And Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, which worked at low temperatures develops micropors that guarantee them thermal insulation and which prevents the water from entering, making it waterproof. The name derives from the entrepreneur Wilbert L. Gore and from his son Robert W. and literally means “Gore fabric”.
The characteristics of the Gore-Tex: waterproof, warmth and durability
Gore-Tex is an innovative material known for its exceptional properties of impermeability And breathabilityderived from the expansion of the polytefluoroethylene (Eptfe). This membrane microporose It contains about 1.3 billion pores per square centimeter, each of which is 20 000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 770 times larger than a water vapor molecule. This unique structure prevents liquid water from penetratingwhile allowing the steam leakage (sweat), making the material both waterproof and breathable. A step forward compared to the concept of waterproofwhich only guarantees water resistance. Gore’s fabric is also a long -lasting material that does not deteriorate easily.
Thanks to these distinctive properties, the Gore-Tex finds application in different sectors:
- Technical and sporting clothing: used in jackets, trousers and footwear for outdoor activities, it offers weather protection keeping the user’s comfort.
- Medical sector: used in the creation of vascular prostheses, sutures and other medical devices thanks to its biocompatibility and resistance.
- Music industry: used in the manufacture of bags for bagpipes, thanks to its ability to retain the air and allow the leakage of humidity.
- Conservation and restoration: used in the treatment of works of art on paper, as a diaphragm for controlled humidification during restoration processes.
How the Gore fabric was invented
The PTFE (Nafion), a material at the base of the Gore-Tex, was invented by Dupoint researchers in 1938 And it was immediately used in multiple applications, from non -stick pans to spatial components because they are chemically inert. Only in 1969father and son Gorethey discovered that by lengthening it at low temperatures a porous structure was formed, thus inventing the Gore-Tex. The Gore-Tex fabric is composed on average by 10 membranes of microporas materiala density of micropors of about 1.3 billion per square centimeter with an average size below that of the drops of water.
Criticality and problems
Gore-Tex has been the subject of attention in recent years due to the presence of Pfas (substances for- and polypluoralchilic) in its composition. These compounds, used for their properties water -repellent And non -stickare extremely persistent in the environment and can accumulate in biological tissues, arousing concerns for human health and the ecosystem as underlined by an article published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Despite these concerns, it should be emphasized that Gore-Tex has adopted strategies for Reduce the environmental impact. Starting from 2017, the company said she gradually eliminated some PFAS classes from its products. More recently, a new type of membrane has been introduced in expanded polyethylene (EPE), which maintains properties similar to the PTFE but with a lower environmental impact. Therefore, although Gore-Tex continues to be a reference material for technical clothing and other sectors, it is essential to monitor the regulatory and scientific evolution regarding the PFAS, to ensure greater sustainability and safety of use in the long run.
