The use of thermoplastic starch for the modification of hydrophilic breathable membranes

Abstract

The demand for waterproof breathable clothing has steadily been increaseing over the past two decades. The technology for developing waterproof breathable textiles is focussed around two key aspects: The polymer membrane that is laminated onto the fabric to render it waterproof and breathable and the lamination technology with allows the proper adhesion of the membrane and fabric. Numerous breakthroughts have been made over the past two decades with regard to the development of new polymer membranes for clothing lamination. These membranes are however patent protected and expensive. This disseratation examines the use of starch as a modifying agent for the development of cheaper membranes that can act as an import replacement for the South African clothing lamination industry