A MATERIAL ADVANTAGE Fabric Testing equipment that meets ISO 15496 

Waterproof, windproof and breathable materials are widely used for outdoor fabrics and garments. These freely allow the passage of water as a vapour, but strongly resist water droplets and wind. Measuring the permeability of such fabrics has historically been fraught with difficulties, with different equipment producing wildly different results – often by as much as 4-500%.

The Versaperm ISO 15496:2004 gravimetric equipment overcomes these problems, it is designed around a high quality solid acrylic water bath that reduces critical thermal losses. Precise temperature control is based on an accurate controller and circulator, with four probes to monitor the temperature right across the bath. A cooling coil is also included for additional temperature stabilisation.

The system can be supplied with finger screw sealing stainless steel or anodised aluminium cups for gravimetric measurements.

Weatherproof fabrics are typically plain weaves with yarns coated with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. Many also have a microporous or monolithic film, coating, or bicomponent combination. These materials are produced in massive quantities worldwide. However, for companies where their throughput is not high enough to warrant a dedicated equipment, the company also provides a laboratory testing service.