BREATHABLE HYDROSTATICALLY-RESISTANT STRUCTURES
The invention provides a breathable structure that includes a fibrous substrate and a cross-linked polymer that contains hydrophobic moieties. The fibrous substrate contains a plurality of fibers, and the cross-linked polymer coats portions of the plurality of fibers.
1 . A breathable structure comprising a fibrous substrate and a cross-linked polymer comprising hydrophobic moieties, wherein the fibrous substrate comprises a plurality of fibers, and wherein the cross-linked polymer coats portions of the plurality of fibers.
2 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers comprise synthetic fibers.
3 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers comprise natural fibers.
4 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein greater than or equal to 50 wt % of the fibers in the fibrous substrate are synthetic fibers.
5 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein greater than or equal to 40% of the surface area of the fibers in the fibrous substrate is in direct contact with the cross-linked polymer.
6 . The breathable structure according to claim 5 , wherein greater than or equal to 60% of the surface area of the fibers in the fibrous substrate is in direct contact with the cross-linked polymer.
7 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , comprising 0.25 wt % to 7 wt % of the cross-linked polymer.
8 . The breathable structure according to claim 7 , comprising 1 wt % to 5 wt % of the cross-linked polymer.
9 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked polymer does not comprise fluorine.
10 . (canceled)
11 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fibers comprises polyester fibers.
12 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the fibrous substrate is a non-woven web.
13 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , having a hydrostatic resistance of greater than or equal to 50 centimeters of water.
17 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , having a hydrostatic resistance of HR2, wherein the breathable structure, in the absence of the cross-linked polymer, has a hydrostatic resistance of HR1, and wherein:
(HR2−HR1)/HR1×100%≥50%.
18 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , having a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of greater than or equal to 300 g/m 2 /day.
19 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , having a Frazier air permeability of 1 to 500 cfm.
20 . The breathable structure according to claim 19 , wherein:
the fibrous substrate is fabric having a Frazier air permeability of 1 to 160 cfm; or
the fibrous substrate is a high loft nonwoven having a Frazier air permeability of 250 to 500 cfm.
21 . (canceled)
22 . The breathable structure according to claim 1 , having a moisture vapor transmission rate of MVTR2 and a Frazier air permeability of AP2, wherein the breathable structure, in the absence of the cross-linked polymer, has a moisture vapor transmission rate of MVTR1 and a Frazier air permeability of AP1, and wherein:
(MVTR1−MVTR2)/MVTR1×100%≤10%; and/or
(AP1−AP2)/AP1×100%≤10%.
23 . An article comprising the breathable structure according to claim 1 .
24 . The article according to claim 23 , wherein said article is a garment.
25 . A method of making the breathable structure according to claim 1 , the method comprising applying to a fibrous substrate a polymer solution comprising a cross-linkable polymer comprising hydrophobic moieties, thereby forming an intermediate structure, then heating the intermediate structure, thereby cross-linking the polymer.
26 - 28 . (canceled)