Jowat Magazine 2015-09 EN

13 While being exposed to high stress in everyday use, our working, leisure and sports clothing still has to offer reliable protection even in extreme situations and maintain its functionality. Washing resistance is an important promise that the manufacturers of these – often very expensive – clothing pieces make to their customers. It is a decisive feature with regard to the functionality of the textile compound because washing should not have a negative impact on the other properties, like breathability, windproof characteristics, thermoregu- lation, elasticity and many other very specific properties. Therefore, promi- sing “washing resistance” also implies “durable functionality.” The functional durability is provided by the strength of the material com- pound. The layers are composed of membranes and textiles with different functions, depending on use and re- quirements. In manufacturing, two or three layer composites - membrane / textile or textile / membrane / textile - are joined together by lamination tech- nology. The durability of these compo- sites must be assured and resist even numerous washing cycles to provide the promised functional properties of the clothing for a long time. For many years, breathability was used as a synonym for all the different functions of these textiles. Looking a little closer at this topic, it is just one factor where the adhesive is directly contributing to the basic functionality. In recent years, new developments in the adhesive industry continuously improved the breathability properties of textile compounds with unchanged adhesive application amounts, and provided a significantly higher wearing comfort of clothing materials, where Jowat defined new standards. Breathable with a soft textile feel High adhesion to a multitude of mem- branes and textiles and high com- pound strength are essential to pro- duce attractive and durable functional textiles. Modern PUR hot melt adhe- sives provide a super soft textile feel and an outstanding washing resistan- ce unthought-of in previous years. New, innovative raw materials facilita- ted the development of adhesives with an extraordinary hydrolysis stability. This performance ensures the integri- ty of the compound during the rigoro- us “wash cycle test” – and with it, the other functions of the textiles. Additio- nally, the original elastic properties of the membrane are in no way impaired by the new adhesives. Since when do we wear comfortable synthetic materials with an image factor and enjoy a more pleasant feeling compared to a cotton shirt? The answer: Since the first functional textiles with diverse functional benefits and a high wearing comfort were created. These textiles redefined our perception of clo- thing materials and their advantages. However, all textiles have something in common: They all need to be washed at some point. This is the moment of truth, when the textile compound of modern clothing has to demonstrate how resistant it really is. extiles with improved ctionality.

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