Protective Garments can be thought of as a barrier between two environments. Key to the performance of this barrier system is a permeable membrane. The proper choice of this membrane can only be made when environmental factors on BOTH sides of the membrane are taken into consideration. On one side for the garment to be PROTECTIVE species such as wind, water, heat, chemicals and possibly particulate and aerosols need to be inhibited from crossing the membrane. Equally important from the other side the membrane must facilitate the release of certain species, primarily water vapor, to provide a degree of comfort to the wearer. The literature is full of membranes that accomplish one or the other. This paper has described various ePTFE membranes that accomplish both. In essence you can have it both ways, if you are willing to consider both sides of the membrane.
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