Your cart
There are no more items in your cart
TOP MATERIAL
Most of KWAK's nanotechnology products are manufactured using NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell textile material with DWR C6 protection. This is a textile material used primarily in outdoor and sports footwear and apparel, but also in other apparel and manufacturing industrial applications. "NANO" in this case refers to the use of nanotechnology in the production of this material. Nanofibres are used here to create an ultra-fine ripstop, a special type of fabric that contains strong fibres that are inserted into the fabric at specific intervals to strengthen the material and resist tearing.
The basic material for KWAK products on which the nanotechnology is applied is the top nylon material. Nylon is a synthetic fibre that is characterised by high strength, wear resistance and waterproofness. The NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell is also coated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which means it has an increased ability to resist water and moisture. C6 then refers to the type of chemical spray used in the application of the DWR coating.
Overall, the NANO Nylon Ultra RipStop Shell with DWR C6 protection is a lightweight, durable and water-resistant textile material suitable for use in demanding conditions, such as outdoor activities where wear and moisture resistance is required.
The production of Ultra RipStop NANO Nylon Shell with DWR C6 protection involves a complex process from the outset, involving a combination of raw material preparation, weaving, application of protective layers and testing. These steps result in the high-quality and durable textile material we offer on KWAK products.
Advantages of NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell with DWR C6 protection over other materials:
1. Water resistance
Thanks to the protective DWR C6 layer, this material is able to resist water and moisture. This means that water doesn't stick to it and the material dries quickly, which is useful for outdoor activities or inclement weather.
2. Tear resistance
The ripstop construction of the fabric ensures that any tears do not spread further, resulting in greater tear resistance. This means that this material is suitable for harsh conditions and for making durable outdoor products.
3. Low weight
Nylon fibers are lightweight, which means this material is lightweight and easily portable. This is especially useful for products that need to be easily carried, such as stations and sleeping bags.
4. Wear resistance
Nylon fibers are very durable and resist wear and tear. This means that the material can be used repeatedly without damage and loss of its properties.
The disadvantages of the NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell with DWR C6 protection include:
1. Higher price
The NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell material with DWR C6 protection can be more expensive than some other materials, which can be a barrier for some people.
2. Limited availability
Meanwhile, NANO Nylon Ultra RipStop Shell with DWR C6 protection may be more difficult to find in some areas, which may be a hardship for some businesses, especially if they are looking for a material for a specific purpose.
MATERIAL PARAMETERS
Area weight
The area weight of a textile material is a physical quantity that expresses the weight per unit area of the material. Specifically, it is the weight of the textile per square metre expressed in grams per square metre (g/m2).
When a NANO nylon Ultra RipStop Shell with DWR C6 protection is written 58 g/m2, this means that the weight per square metre of this material is 58 grams. This information is usually used as an indicator of the density and lightness of the material.
The surface weight of a textile material affects its properties such as strength, breathability, flexibility, softness and comfort. A higher specific gravity usually means greater strength and durability, but it can also mean less breathability and comfort. The basis weight of a textile is determined by weighing a sample of the material with known dimensions and then calculating the weight per unit area. However, the weight of a material can be influenced by various factors such as the fibres used, the method of weaving or knitting, the type of finish and others.
Vapour permeability
Vapour permeability RET is a physical quantity that expresses the ability of a textile material to transmit water vapour. Specifically, it is the ratio between the resistance of water vapour and the air flowing through the material. RET is measured in values from 0 to 20, with a lower value indicating a higher vapour permeability. For garments, an RET value of less than 6 is usually required to be considered sufficiently breathable. RET vapour permeability is important in outdoor clothing and other technical textiles designed to keep the wearer comfortable during demanding activities in adverse climatic conditions. Materials with high vapour permeability allow moisture to be drawn away from the body, reducing the sensation of dampness and sweating, while materials with low vapour permeability can cause sweating and discomfort.
The vapour permeability of 3.0 Pa.m2.W-1 represents a relatively high vapour permeability of the textile material. However, comparison with other materials depends on the specific RET values, since RET and vapour permeability are inversely proportional quantities. It is important to stress, however, that the value of the vapour permeability depends on many factors, including the material design, composition, thickness, surface finish and testing conditions. Therefore, RET or vapour permeability values should only be compared for materials with similar properties and under the same conditions.
Sometimes the MVTR unit of permeability is also used. For KWAK textiles this is 40 000 g/m2/24 h. RET and MVTR are two different units of measurement used to express the vapour permeability of textile materials. RET (Resistance Evaporative Transfer) is a unit of measurement that expresses the resistance that a textile material puts up when water evaporates. A lower RET value means a higher vapour permeability. MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate) is a unit of measurement that expresses the amount of water vapour that a material will let through in a given time. A higher MVTR value means a higher vapour permeability. While RET is mainly used in Europe, MVTR is mainly used in North America and Asia. The calculation of the vapour permeability of RET and MVTR is different and therefore the resulting RET and MVTR values are incompatible with each other. It is therefore important to remember that when comparing the vapour permeability of different textile materials, it is necessary to focus on the RET or MVTR value depending on the geographical area where the material will be used.
Water column
The water column of a textile material is one of the units of measurement that indicates the resistance of a textile material to water penetration. It expresses the water column pressure that the textile can withstand before water starts to penetrate through the material. The water column is measured in millimetres (mm) and depends on the density and quality of the textile fibres, weaving or knitting, surface treatment (e.g. impregnation), etc. The higher the water column value, the better the water penetration resistance of the material. For example, if a material has a water column value of 10 000 mm, this means that the material can withstand a water column pressure of 10 metres without water ingress. The water column is an important factor for materials used in outdoor activities such as hiking or climbing, where it is important to keep the body dry and protect it from rain or snow.
The water column value of 12,000 mm is excellent and indicates the high resistance of the textile material to water penetration. Compared to other outdoor materials, this rating is above average and shows that the material will be able to withstand water even in more extreme conditions, such as heavy rain. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that the water column value is not the only factor that affects the water resistance of a textile material. The surface treatment (e.g. impregnation) or the density and quality of the textile fibres also play an important role in determining the water resistance of a material. It is therefore important to choose a material suitable for the specific purpose and conditions in which it will be used.
Laminate type
A textile laminate is a layer that is added to a textile material to improve its water resistance, wind resistance and weather protection. The numbers 1L, 2L and 3L are used to classify the different types of laminates that are used in the manufacture of outdoor equipment, especially jackets and coats. 1L laminate means that there is one layer of laminate on the outside of the textile, which is used to protect against water and wind. 2L laminate has two layers of laminate on the outside, which improves waterproof and wind resistance. These laminates also usually have an inner lining to improve thermal insulation. 3L laminate contains three layers of laminate. The outer layer protects against water and wind, the middle layer provides protection against rain while allowing sweat to evaporate from the inside, and the inner layer protects against abrasion and friction. These laminates are the most waterproof and warmest, but they are also typically the heaviest and most expensive of the three types of laminates.
Hydrophobic and oleophobic surface treatment
DWR (Durable Water Repellent) is a chemical treatment used to improve the water resistance of textile materials. DWR C6 refers to a specific type of chemical treatment that consists of perfluorocarbon compounds with six carbons in the chain. This is a very high degree of protection. However, there are other types of DWR that differ in chemical compositions and properties. For example, C4 DWR contains perfluorocarbon compounds with four carbons in the chain, which provides lower wear resistance and shorter treatment life. There are also alternative DWR treatments such as fluorocenic compounds, silicone treatments and others that are used to improve the water resistance of textile materials. The top-end DWR C6 hydrophobic and oleophobic finish is a special treatment for textile materials that allows the material to be water and oil resistant. This process is called the lotus effect because water and oil on the surface of the material slip off like dew drops on the surface of a lotus flower. DWR C6 means that a fluorocarbon (FC) treatment is used that is free of perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA) and perfluorooctane compounds (PFCs), chemicals that are problematic for the environment and human health. This treatment allows the textile material to resist water and oil while remaining breathable, increasing comfort and functionality when wearing the garment or using the textile in other areas.
Water repellency
Water repellency is the ability of a material's surface to resist water. If a material is water repellent, water droplets will aggregate on its surface and slide down easily without soaking into the material. Water repellency can also be combined with other properties such as breathability and wind protection to achieve the best results for specific applications, such as outdoor clothing.
Breathability
The breathability (or breathability) of a textile material refers to its ability to allow moisture and air to pass through its structure. This process allows moisture to move away from the body, improving wearing comfort and minimising the risk of sweating. Breathability refers to the ability of a material to transmit water vapour due to the difference in water vapour concentration between the inside and outside of the material. It includes processes such as diffusion and convection, in which water vapour passes through microscopic openings in the material. While permeability refers to the ability of a material to allow water vapour to pass from the inside to the outside, vapour permeability refers to the ability of a material to allow water vapour to pass from one side of the material to the other side.
Windproof
Wind resistance, often referred to as windproof, is the ability of a textile material to resist the passage of wind through it. This parameter is usually given as a percentage and expresses what percentage of wind the material will stop. For example, a material with a windproof rating of 100% will stop all wind. Wind resistance is usually achieved by applying special coatings or surface treatments to the material that prevent the passage of air. Windproof materials are often used in outdoor and sports footwear, clothing and other products where wind protection is important. The wind resistance of a textile material can also be measured in units of air and water passage through the material per unit time.
A wind resistance of 0.129 mm.s-1 can be considered as a medium level of wind resistance for textile materials. There are more wind resistant materials with a lower wind resistance value, but also less wind resistant materials with a higher wind resistance value. Wind resistance depends on various factors such as material composition, fabric construction, material thickness and surface finish. Some materials are developed specifically for wind resistance, such as membrane materials or materials with a water repellent and windproof finish. These materials typically have a wind resistance in the range 0,05 - 0,5 mm.s-1. Generally, the lower the wind resistance value, the easier it is for air to enter the material and the less wind resistant the material is. Conversely, the higher the wind resistance value, the less air is let in and the more wind resistant the material is.
INTERNAL MATERIAL
For the lining of most of our KWAK products we use NYLON KWAK 20D Ultra Light RipStop Shell, which is a lightweight 38 g/m2 nylon material with RipStop construction. This means it contains strong threads placed at regular intervals to prevent the spread of rips. This makes the material tear and wear resistant.
The material also has a DownProof property, which means that it is a fabric with a dense enough structure to prevent feathers from penetrating from inside the chambers to the outside. This material is often used for lightweight jackets, coats and other garments where light weight and wear resistance are important. Its light weight and compactness make it an ideal choice for clothing for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing or running.
