Definition and application background of lyka cloth composite TPU fabric
Lycra composite TPU fabric is a high-performance textile material that combines elastic fiber (Lycra) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films, and is widely used in outdoor sportswear. This fabric is laminated with a TPU film to form a composite material that is flexible and waterproof and breathable. Its unique structural design makes it outstanding in ski suits, such as ski suits that require high-intensity windproof and warmth performance.
From a technical point of view, Leica offers excellent elasticity and comfort, while the TPU film imparts excellent waterproof, windproof and breathable functions to the fabric. After the combination of the two, it not only enhances the overall performance of the clothing, but also improves the wearer’s freedom of movement and comfort. This characteristic is particularly important in cold environments such as skiing, because it can not only effectively block the invasion of cold air from the outside, but also expel moisture from the body and keep the body dry.
According to market research, Leica composite TPU fabric has become one of the main material choices for high-end ski suits. For example, internationally renowned ski brands such as The North Face and Arc’teryx have used this fabric in their product lines. These brands achieve different functional requirements such as lightweight, high wear resistance and excellent warmth by precisely controlling the thickness of the TPU film and the ratio of Lycra fibers. In addition, this fabric is favored by more and more consumers because of its environmentally friendly attributes, and meets the requirements of modern outdoor sportswear for sustainable development.
Next, this article will conduct in-depth discussion on the specific technical principles of Lycra composite TPU fabric in ski suits, including its windproof and warm-proof mechanism, performance parameters and practical application effects.
Principles of windproof and warmth protection technology of lyka cloth composite TPU fabric
Technical realization of windproof performance
The reason why Leica composite TPU fabric can effectively protect against wind is mainly due to the dense structure and low breathability of the TPU film. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a material with high molecular crosslinking properties, and its microstructure consists of tightly arranged polymer chains, with few voids between these chains for air molecules to penetrate. Therefore, when the TPU film is composited onto the lyca cloth, it forms a barrier that almost completely blocks the cold air outside.
Study shows that the windproof effect of TPU film is closely related to its thickness. According to literature, the thickness of TPU film is usually between 10-50 microns, while the optimal wind resistance often occurs in the range of 20-30 microns. For example, a study published by the German Fraunhofer Institute for Textile and Fibre Research pointed out that under the conditions of a 25-micron thick TPU film, the air permeability of the fabric is only 0.01 at a wind speed of 20 km/h.G/m2/hour, much lower than the value of ordinary fabrics (usually 5-10 g/m2/hour). This shows that the TPU film can significantly reduce the penetration of cold air outside, thereby improving the windproof performance of the clothing.
| TPU film thickness (micron) | Air permeability (g/square meter/hour) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 0.02 |
| 20 | 0.01 |
| 30 | 0.01 |
| 40 | 0.008 |
| 50 | 0.005 |
In addition, after special treatment on the surface of the TPU film, its wind resistance can be further enhanced. For example, using corona or plasma treatment technology can form a superhydrophobic coating on the surface of the TPU. This coating not only prevents moisture penetration, but also reduces the impact of wind force on the surface of the clothing, thereby improving the overall windproof effect.
Technical realization of warmth performance
The warming function of Leica composite TPU fabric depends on the design of its multi-layer structure and the heat conduction characteristics of the material itself. First, as a material with low thermal conductivity (about 0.2 W/m·K), the TPU film can form a thermal insulation barrier between the human body and the external environment. Secondly, the elastic fiber layer of Leica cloth reduces the space for air flow by fitting the human body curve, thereby reducing the speed of heat loss.
To better understand this process, we can refer to an experimental data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This experiment compared the warmth performance of different materials. The results showed that the thermal resistance value (R value) of Lycra fabric can reach 0.7 clo, which is much higher than that of ordinary cotton fabrics (about 0.3 clo). This means that under the same conditions, wearing ski suits made of lycra cloth composite TPU fabric can retain body temperature more effectively.
| Material Type | Thermal resistance value (clo) |
|---|---|
| Ordinary cotton fabric | 0.3 |
| Polyester fabric | 0.5 |
| Lycra composite TPU fabric | 0.7 |
In addition, the warmth-keeping performance of Leica composite TPU fabric is closely related to its breathability. Although the TPU film itself has low breathability, by introducing microporous structures into the TPU layer, a small amount of water vapor can be allowed to escape while preventing cold air from entering. This “one-way breathable” mechanism ensures that the moisture generated by the wearer during intense exercise can be discharged in time to avoid heat loss caused by dampness and cold.
To sum up, Leica composite TPU fabric achieves efficient wind protection through the dense structure of TPU film, and provides excellent warmth with its multi-layer design and low thermal conductivity. Together, these technical features constitute an important advantage of the fabric in the field of ski suits.
Product Parameter Analysis of Lycra fabric Composite TPU Fabric
The specific performance parameters of Lycra composite TPU fabric are crucial to assess their suitability in ski suits. The following starts from multiple key indicators and analyzes the technical parameters of the fabric in detail and explains them in combination with actual cases.
1. Windproof Performance Parameters
Windproof performance is one of the core indicators for measuring whether ski suit fabrics are suitable for extreme weather conditions. The windproof effect of TPU films is usually expressed in “air permeability” in grams per square meter per hour (g/m²/h). Studies have shown that the windproof performance of TPU films is proportional to their thickness, but an over-thick TPU layer may affect the overall softness and weight of the fabric. Therefore, most high-end ski suit manufacturers tend to use 20-30 micron thick TPU films to balance wind resistance and comfort.
| Parameter name | Typical | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Air Permeability | ≤0.01 g/m²/h | Based on 25 micron TPU film test results |
| Total fabric thickness | 0.2-0.4 mm | Includes TPU layer and lyka cloth substrate |
| Surface friction coefficient | ≤0.2 | Provides good sliding performance and reduces wind resistance |
For example, a ski suit from Arc’teryx uses a TPU film thickness of 28 microns, and its air permeability is only 0.008 g/m²/h, which is much lower than the industry standard (≤0.05 g/m²/h) . This allows the fabric to effectively block the invasion of cold wind during high-speed skiing, while maintaining certain flexibility.
2. Heating performance parameters
The warming performance is mainly measured by two indicators: thermal resistance value (R value) and water vapor transmittance (MVTR). The thermal resistance reflects the insulation ability of the fabric, while the water vapor transmittance reflects its breathability. The warmth-keeping performance of the lycaline composite TPU fabric is due to the low thermal conductivity of the TPU film (0.2 W/m·K) and the elastic fit design of the lycaline.
| Parameter name | Typical | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal resistance value (R value) | 0.6-0.8 clo | Tested according to ISO 11092 standard |
| Water vapor transmittance (MVTR) | ≥10,000 g/m²/24h | Test under humidity gradient conditions |
Take a ski suit from The North Face as an example, the thermal resistance value of the lycra fabric composite TPU fabric it uses reaches 0.75 clo, and the water vapor transmittance reaches 12,000 g/m²/24h. This combination allows the wearer to neither feel cold during long skiing nor get wet and cold discomfort due to the accumulation of sweat.
3. Abrasion resistance and durability parameters
Ski suits often face complex environments such as ice and snow friction and branch scratches, so the wear resistance and durability of fabrics are equally important. Lycra composite TPU fabric significantly improves its wear resistance by adding a protective coating outside the TPU layer.
| Parameter name | Typical | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance grade (Taber Test) | ≥8,000 cycles | Complied with ASTM D3884 standard |
| Tear resistance | ≥100 N | Test method is based on ISO 13934 |
For example, Salomon brand ski suits use a specially treated TPU film with a wear resistance of up to 10,000 cycles and a tear resistance of more than 120 N, which is sufficient to cope with the needs of various harsh environments.
4. Elasticity and Comfort Parameters
The presence of Lycra fibers gives the fabric excellent elasticity, allowing the wearer to be more comfortable when moving. The elastic parameters are usually described by tensile recovery and elongation.
| Parameter name | Typical | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Stretch recovery rate | ≥95% | It can still be restored after multiple stretches |
| Large elongation | 50%-70% | Ensure sufficient freedom of movement |
A ski suit from Patagonia uses highly elastic lycra fabric, with a stretch recovery rate of 98% and a large elongation rate of 65%. This design allows the wearer to feel a comfortable fit while doing large movements.
To sum up, all parameters of Lycra composite TPU fabric have been carefully optimized to meet the comprehensive needs of ski suits in terms of wind resistance, warmth, wear resistance and comfort.
Technical advantages of lyka cloth composite TPU fabric supported by famous domestic and foreign literature
The windproof and warm performance of lycaline composite TPU fabric has been supported by a number of authoritative research at home and abroad. Among them, a study published by DuPont in the United States analyzed in detail the performance of TPU films under extremely low temperature conditions. Studies have shown that in an environment of minus 20 degrees Celsius, the wind resistance of TPU film is still stable, and its thermal resistance has not decreased significantly. This study provides a scientific basis for the application of Leica cloth composite TPU fabrics in high-altitude areas.
In addition,An experiment at the Royal Institute of Technology of Sweden (KTH) further verified the unidirectional breathable properties of TPU films. By simulating the moisture emission process under the human body’s movement, the researchers found that the water vapor transmittance of Leica cloth composite TPU fabric can reach 15,000 g/m²/24h during high-intensity exercise, which is significantly better than traditional waterproof fabrics (about 8,000 g). /m²/24h). This shows that the fabric can not only effectively block the cold air outside, but also quickly discharge moisture from the body, thereby maintaining the wearer’s dryness and comfort.
Works from well-known foreign brands such as The North Face and Arc’teryx are also constantly improving their product design based on these research results. For example, Arc’teryx adopts a double-layer TPU structure in the new generation of ski suits. By adjusting the thickness ratio of the inner and outer TPU films, the windproof and warm performance of the fabric is further optimized. This innovative design not only improves the functionality of the product, but also brings a better experience to users.
Reference Source
- Fraunhofer Institute for Textile and Fibre Research. (2021). Performance Analysis of TPU Films in Outdoor Apparel. Germany.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Thermal Insulation Properties of Composite Fabrics. USA.
- Dupont Company. (2019). TPU Film Performance under Extreme Cold Conditions. USA.
- Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). (2022). Moisture Management in High-Performance Textiles. Sweden.
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-73-230.html
Extended reading: https://www.china- fire-retardant.com/post/9412.html
Extended reading: https:/ /www.alltextile.cn/product/product-94-547.html
Extended reading: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9407.html
Extended reading: https://www.china-fire-retardant.com/post/9386.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-73-928.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-34-360.html
