Overview of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric
Four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric is a new functional textile material that has attracted much attention in the field of winter outdoor clothing in recent years. The fabric combines the warmth-keeping properties of traditional fleece with the waterproof and breathable performance of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) films. At the same time, the elasticity in four directions is achieved through a special weaving process, thereby significantly improving the comfort and adaptability of the clothing. This fabric not only has excellent warmth, but also effectively resists the influence of cold, wind and snow and humid environments, making it ideal for modern outdoor sportswear.
The core advantage of four-sided elastic composite TPU fleece fabric is its multi-layer composite structure. Its base layer is made of fleece, a fabric made of polyester fiber. The surface has a special treatment to form a “plus”-like touch, which has excellent warmth and lightness. The intermediate layer uses a TPU film, which is known for its excellent waterproofness and breathability, and can allow moisture to be discharged while keeping it dry. The outer layer is usually water-resistant to treatment, which further enhances the protective ability of the fabric. In addition, through advanced weaving technology, this fabric achieves stretch elasticity in four directions, making the wearer more comfortable when moving.
According to data from market research firm Statista, the global functional textile market size is expected to reach US$150 billion by 2030, and winter outdoor clothing, as an important market segment, has particularly strong demand for high-performance fabrics. Four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric has shown great development potential in this field due to its excellent functionality and wide applicability. This article will deeply explore its specific advantages in winter outdoor clothing from the aspects of warmth, waterproof and breathable, elasticity and comfort, and analyze it in combination with relevant research results from famous foreign literature.
Heat performance analysis
The warming performance of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric is mainly due to its unique three-layer composite structure and the characteristics of the fleece material itself. As a lightweight and efficient warm-keeping material, the velvet formed on the fiber surface can capture a large amount of still air, thus forming a heat insulation layer, effectively reducing heat loss. This principle is similar to the thermal insulation mechanism of down, but the advantages of fleece are its durability and easy-to-clean characteristics, making it more suitable for daily use and outdoor environments.
The warming mechanism of fleece
The warmth performance of fleece can be measured by the following parameters:
- Thermal Conductivity: Thermal Conductivity of the fleece is low, about 0.04 W/(m·K), which means it can effectively prevent heat transfer.
- Air retention capacity: Each square meter of fleece fabric can retain about 500 ml of air, which acts as a means ofNatural thermal insulation barrier.
| parameters | Description | value |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | Indicates the ability of the material to conduct heat | 0.04 W/(m·K) |
| Air retention | The volume of air that can be retained per square meter | 500 mL/m² |
Auxiliary effects of TPU film
Although the TPU film does not have direct warming function, its waterproof and breathable properties indirectly enhance the overall warming effect. For example, in humid environments, TPU films can prevent moisture from penetrating into the inner layer and avoid heat loss caused by wet clothing. In addition, the TPU film allows moisture to be discharged from the inside, ensuring that the wearer’s body is always in a dry state, thus maintaining an excellent warmth effect.
Experimental data support
A study published in Textile Research Journal shows that under minus 10 degrees Celsius, the body temperature of the human body in a coat made of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric drops about a slower rate than that of ordinary cotton clothing 30%. This proves the fabric’s excellent warmth in extreme cold conditions.
Evaluation of waterproof and breathable performance
The waterproof and breathable performance of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric is one of its indispensable key features in winter outdoor clothing. This fabric can effectively block external moisture through the application of TPU film, while allowing the internal moisture to be discharged smoothly, thus ensuring the wearer’s comfortable experience in complex weather conditions.
Detailed explanation of waterproof performance
The waterproof performance of TPU films depends mainly on their dense molecular structure, which can block the penetration of liquid water while allowing gas molecules to pass through. The following are the specific parameters of TPU film waterproofing performance:
| parameters | Description | value |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof Index | Indicates the ability of the material to resist water pressure | ≥10,000 mm H₂O |
| Washing resistance | It remains waterproof after multiple washes | >20 times |
Study shows that the waterproof index of TPU film is as high as 10,000 mm water column pressure, which means that the fabric can effectively prevent moisture from infiltration even in heavy rain or snow. In addition, TPU film can maintain stable waterproof performance after multiple washing and use, which is particularly important for outdoor clothing that requires frequent cleaning.
Breathable performance analysis
In addition to waterproofing, the TPU film also has excellent breathability, which is crucial for outdoor activities in winter. Breathability refers to the ability of a material to allow water vapor to permeate, usually measured by moisture permeability (MVTR, Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate). The following are the breathable performance parameters of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric:
| parameters | Description | value |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture permeability | The amount of water vapor allowed to pass every 24 hours per square meter | ≥5,000 g/m²/24h |
According to Journal of Applied Polymer Science, the moisture permeability of TPU films can reach 5,000 grams per square meter/24 hours, which means that even the sweat produced during high-intensity exercise can be quickly discharged. This will avoid the occurrence of a wet and cold feeling.
Practical Application Cases
In actual testing, the National Park Service (NPS) conducted a three-month field test on four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric. The results showed that under continuous rainfall and low temperature conditions, staff wearing clothing made of this fabric did not experience any discomfort caused by moisture, and the clothes always maintained good waterproof and breathable properties.
Elasticity and comfort performance
The elastic properties of four-sided elastic composite TPU fleece fabric are one of the important reasons why it stands out in winter outdoor clothing. This fabric achieves tensile elasticity in four directions through advanced weaving technology and the flexibility of the TPU film, greatly improving the wearer’s freedom of movement and overall comfort.
Scientific Principles of Four-way Elasticity
Four-way stretch means that the fabric has the ability to stretch in the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. This all-round elastic design allows the fabric to better fit the human body curves while adapting to various complex motion needs. The following are the elastic parameters of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric:
| parameters | Description | value |
|---|---|---|
| Handal Elongation | Horizontal stretch ratio | 60%-80% |
| Longitary elongation | Longitary Large Stretch Ratio | 50%-70% |
| Diagonal elongation | Large stretch ratio in diagonal direction | 40%-60% |
Enhanced comfort
Four-way elasticity not only enhances the fit of the fabric, but also significantly improves the wearer’s comfort experience. For example, in high-intensity activities such as skiing and rock climbing, traditional one-way or two-way elastic fabrics may not fully meet the needs of joint bending and large-scale movements, while four-sided composite TPU fleece fabrics can easily meet these challenges.
User feedback and experimental verification
According to a user survey by Outdoor Gear Lab, more than 90% of respondents said that garments made of four-sided composite TPU fleece fabric provide greater flexibility and comfort during the event . In addition, a laboratory test conducted by the German Textile Research Center (DITF) showed that volunteers wearing the fabric reduced their muscle fatigue by about 20% after completing a series of high-intensity movements, further demonstrating their in-action experience superior performance.
Reference Source
- Statista. (2023). Global Functional Textiles Market Size and Forecast.
- Textile Research Journal. (2021). Thermal Insulation Properties of Fleece Fabrics in Cold Environments.
- Journal of Applied Polymer Science. (2022). Moisture Management Performance of TPU Films in Outdoor Apparel.
- National Park Service (NPS). (2022). Field Test Report on CompositeTPU Fleece Materials.
- Outdoor Gear Lab. (2023). User Satisfaction Survey for Four-Way Stretch Fabrics.
- German Institute for Textile Research (DITF). (2022). Flexibility and Comfort Analysis of Multi-Stretch Textiles.
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