Water-repellent
Also known as: Water-resistant
Fabric surface where water beads off without the fabric being fully waterproof.
Description
Water-repellent describes a surface effect: droplets bead off without wetting the fibre. Achieved with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finishes based on silicones, waxes, paraffins or formerly fluorocarbons (C8/C6, now PFC-free per EU REACH).
Rated per EN ISO 4920 (Bundesmann test, spray test) with grades 1-5 (5 = no absorption). Retail target: min. 4 before wash, 3 after 10 washes. Head remains below the waterproof threshold (typically 300-1,000 mm per EN 20811 / ISO 811).
Ageing: DWR fades with washing, abrasion, sun and UV. Reactivation via tumble drying (heat re-orients fluoroalkyl chains) or re-proofing. PFC-free C0 DWR lasts less than C8 but is greener; brands: Nikwax®, Grangers®, Rudolf RUCO-DRY®.
Properties
| Test standard | EN ISO 4920 (spray test) |
|---|---|
| Typical values | Grade 4-5, 300-1,000 mm head |
| Application | Wind jackets, everyday coats |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Water-repellent Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterproofing
- bluesign bluesign technologies ag https://www.bluesign.com/
