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NEWS Omniflex Transport® Brand Films Offer
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GREENFIELD, Massachusetts USA - Omniflex, Inc., of Greenfield, Massachusetts USA, reports that increasing numbers of performance textile laminators and apparel manufacturers are utilizing Transport ® -brand films to create reasonably priced, waterproof-breathable textile composites for use in outerwear, gloves and footwear. These films are currently the product-of-choice specified by one of North America 's largest retailers of hunting and other outdoor performance apparel. The high moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) provided by these super-thin, mon lithic, hydrophilic films make them ideal for lamination to fabrics used in today's rigorous performance apparel and footwear applications. In addition to waterproofing the garment, glove, shoe or boot, they provide outstanding breathability to keep the hunter, climber, skier or other sports enthusiast dry and comfortable inside their clothing, despite the weather outside. Made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), copolyester and ether-amide polymers, Transport-brand films have physical characteristics that make them ideal for use in textile applications: good drape, quietness, excellent stretch and recovery. Their inherent adhesive properties also provide very durable bonds between the outer fabric layer and any inner lining material to which they are laminated. Transport films are compatible with most common adhesive laminating systems. Omniflex produces super-thin Transport-brand films without the addition of lubricants or processing aids that might migrate to the film surface. This results in laminations of extremely high durability. They also function as viral barriers and exhibit excellent abrasion, temperature and chemical resistance when compared to films produced from other common polymers. HOW TRANSPORT FILMS WORK TO To create a waterproof garment that is also breathable, allowing the wearer's perspiration vapor to escape, an apparel manufacturer will typically employ a textile composite. This composite is created by a fabric laminator who bonds a layer of waterproof-breathable film to a layer of fabric, or sandwiches a layer of film between two layers of fabric. The top fabric is normally the final outer layer of the garment, the bottom an inner lining material. Garment manufacturers can specify either of two basic types of waterproof-breathable composite; these will vary depending on the type of film or coating technology employed: monolithic or microporous. Both can usually provide a solid barrier that physically repels rain or other liquids, preventing moisture from passing through the textile composite to the inside of the garment. As the name implies, microporous coatings and films contain microscopic pores or capillaries that permit vapor to escape. They are hydrophobic in that the surface energy of the membrane causes it to inhibit the flow of liquid back through the capillaries into the garment due to the small size of the pores. The continued water repellency of this construction, however, is dependant upon the size of the pores, the pressure at which liquid may be applied to the outside surface of the coating, as well as its resistance to contaminants that can break down the membrane's surface energy and actually allow the pore channels to wick moisture to the inside of the composite. Omniflex films are monolithic, hydrophilic, and do not have pore capillaries or pinholes. The hydrophilic nature of Transport-brand films is what makes them breathable, actively attracting water vapor and absorbing it through the inside face of the membrane. It is then "transported" through the chemical matrix of the solid film to the outside surface via solid-state diffusion, where it evaporates upon exposure to the atmosphere. The amount of moisture and the speed with which it is able to move through such a monolithic, hydrophilic membrane is directly related to the thickness of the film used in the construction: the thinner the film, the more moisture can be transported and diffused on the exterior of the composite. Super-thin Transport-brand films are cast on polyethylene, polyester and paper carriers in thicknesses as low as 0.2 mils (5 microns), thus maximizing moisture-vapor-transmission-rates of the textile composite in which they are used. They are extruded from a variety of grades of polyurethanes, copolyesters and ether-amides, depending on the hardness, elongation, MVTR or other performance characteristics required for the garment and its end-use (see Typical Physical Properties table below). Omniflex can extrude any of these three polymers into a solid, monolithic, hydrophilic membrane, maximizing both breathability and water repellency. The combination is a functional piece of high-performance apparel that keeps the wearer dry and comfortable in the most inclement weather. ADVANTAGES OVER MULTIPLE-MEMBRANE CONSTRUCTIONS Utilizing a single layer of waterproof-breathable Transport-brand polyurethane, copolyester or ether-amide film has advantages over textile composites that employ multiple membrane layers (i.e., TPU and PTFE/Teflon). The inherent durability of the former films allow them to be used without the necessity of an additional protective liner, as is required when PTFE is the inner layer of a PTFE/TPU composite, thus reducing material costs. Additionally, garments made with single-film, waterproof-breathable composites are lighter and more compressible than multi-membrane alternatives. Finally, single-layer laminating technology is more cost efficient than that required for TPU/PTFE constructions, allowing finished garments to be produced and marketed at significantly lower cost. ADDITIONAL PRODUCT OPTIONS OFFERED
In addition to the choice of base polymer-thermoplastic polyurethane, copolyester and ether-amide-manufacturers can specify a number of other product options. These super-thin films are cast onto polyethylene, polyester or paper carriers. Thickness can be specified from 0.2 to 6.0 mils (5-150 microns) for the best performing films, and in widths up to 68 inches (1.727 meters). Mid-performance waterproof-breathable films are also available without carrier in thicknesses of 0.8 mils (20 microns) or greater. Any of these films may also be enhanced with antibacterial, antifungal and antistatic packages. Surface finish offerings include gloss, smooth and matte. |
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TYPICAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
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| WHO IS OMNIFLEX?
Since 1994, Omniflex has been a leader in the manufacture of super-thin, high-performance films from thermoplastic polyurethane and other difficult-to-extrude specialty polymers for use in critical apparel, medical, automotive and industrial applications using blown-film, cast-on-carrier and flat-die extrusion technologies. The company markets these films under the Transport® and Vacuflex® brand names. Omniflex sells globally to textile laminators, adhesive coaters and converters, the specialty films market and selected OEM's. In addition to a reputation for superior quality, Omniflex prides itself on having the organization, relationships and expertise to navigate the most complex global supply chains. The company can be contacted by surface mail: Omniflex, Inc., P.O. Box 1167 , Greenfield MA 01302 U.S.A. ; telephone: (413)772-3773; facsimile: (413)772-1005; e-mail: info@omniflexfilms.com ; worldwide web: www.omniflexfilms.com. Literature Links
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© 2006 Omniflex 64 Adams Road P.O. Box 1167 Greenfield, Massachusetts 01302
Tel: (413)772-3773 Fax: (413)772-1005 E-mail: info@OmniflexFilms.com