Environmentally Compliant Coatings for Waterproof Fabrics and Clothing

Fabrics for rain gear and outdoor equipment have been traditionally rendered waterproof by coating with solvent-borne rubber solutions, solvent-borne polyurethanes and vinyl plastisols. Regulatory pressure for environmental and worker safety compliance has become a potent driving force in eliminating volatile organic solvents from commercial coating products. A variety of low solvent coating technologies are on the horizon to replace the traditional solvent-based coating methods. The proposed research explores the feasibility of applying current compliant coating methods to the problem of fabric waterproofing. The experimental thrust of the program explores the feasibility of using a combination of water-reducible formulation and UV curing to obtain an effective and environmentally benign waterproofing system for U.S. Army wet weather clothing.