Seam sealing
Also known as: Seam waterproofing, Sealed seams
Umbrella term for techniques that seal needle holes in waterproof textiles – tape, adhesive or welding.
Description
Seam sealing covers all processes that close the needle holes made during sewing on a waterproof membrane or coated construction. Without sealing, rainwater would run straight through the 0.5–0.8 mm perforations (from a standard Nm 80 needle) and completely negate the benefit of a 20,000 mm water column.
Common methods: hot-air tape (GORE-SEAM, Bemis 3405), ultrasonic welding, HF welding and liquid glue (Seam Grip WP for retrofit). Fully-sealed constructions seal every seam (e.g. mountaineering jackets); critical-seam sealing covers only exposed ones (shoulder, hood, front zip). Testing per ISO 811 (seam water column) and ISO 6330 (wash resistance).
Properties
| Process | tape / US / HF / adhesive |
|---|---|
| Standard | ISO 811 (seam water column) |
| Usage | rain jacket, tent, ski suit |
| Strategy | fully sealed vs. critical seam sealing |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Gore-Tex Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gore-Tex
