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IQ TEX® is worldwide the first and only ventilation element to be permeable to air and to become absolutely watertight as needed.
The heart of IQ TEX® is comprised of Luquafleece®, a material developed by BASF. Special superabsorbent substances between the fibres of this material are capable of explosively increasing their volume by a factor of 600 at contact with water. The initial state is quickly regained by drying.
Normally, the core material would simply expand in all directions at contact with water. To form a watertight barrier instead it needs to be confined in a special way: Above and below the functional core layer we use a plastic mesh. The entire sandwich construction is divided into separate air permeable cells by injection-moulded plastic. Mesh and core are combined in this cell-like structure to form a perfect whole that is responsible for converting the molecular expansion of Luquafleece® into a sealing action.
As long as IQ TEX® stays dry, a continuous exchange of air is taking place. If IQ TEX® gets wet the air permeable gaps between the fibres are closed as the superabsorber expands. In this state IQ TEX® is watertight, even under high pressure. Here we demonstrate the functionality with a test tube.
The absorber contracts while drying and breathability is regained after approximately 20 minutes. Breathability of the material is similar to that of a cotton T-shirt. This cycle is indefinitely repeatable without aging the material.
IQ TEX® is completely free from harmful substances. Unlike other breathable membranes IQ TEX® does not contain halogenated hydrocarbons and can be disposed of with the regular household garbage.
IQ TEX® turns conventional textiles into intelligent high-tech companions: permeable to air, breathable or watertight as needed. Suitable for various ranges of application like shoes, jackets, tents, sleeping bags, gloves, headgear or even for medical wound dressings. A truly innovative ventilation element – new, clever, simply unique. IQ TEX® – sophisticated like nature.
The effectiveness of IQ TEX® ventilation elements has been officially confirmed and tested by the independent Test and Research Institute Pirmasens e. V. (PFI). IQ TEX® is protected by international patents (PCT/EP 2007/007783). |
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