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PFC bans are going to change waterproof garments

cyclingnews.com

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Re: PFC bans are going to change waterproof garments

#5
> Gore is committing to a "goal for being free of PFCs of Environmental Concern." That doesn't affect the ePTFE membrane though because, according to the brand, ePTFE "is inert, insoluble in water, extremely stable and not biodegradable. Therefore, it does not degrade to become a source of PFCs of Environmental Concern."

Gore continuation: biodegradable:degradeable ::(->) unbiodegradable:undegradeable

Re: PFC bans are going to change waterproof garments

#6
post #4

Maybe we can mimic some of the effects found in nature without chemicals and make hydrophobic surfaces based on their nano-level properties? Or like ducks use preen oil, something closer to that.

There is already an XVIII century technology and WWII popularized option called millerain. But it requires some maintenance and isn’t “light” as preferred by cyclists and runners.

Re: PFC bans are going to change waterproof garments

#9

I am not optimistic about the future of sustainable specialized materials. It seems very likely that the same structures that give modern high tech materials their unique abilities are the same ones that make them so environmentally unfriendly.

We are in the middle of a biotech revolution. Figuring out how to scale up bioengineered materials is a likely source of impressive materials.

Nature is full of stuff like spider silk, chitin, bone, phosphorescent materials, sponges,etc.

Re: PFC bans are going to change waterproof garments

#10
post #6
post #4

Maybe we can mimic some of the effects found in nature without chemicals and make hydrophobic surfaces based on their nano-level properties? Or like ducks use preen oil, something closer to that.

There is already an XVIII century technology and WWII popularized option called millerain. But it requires some maintenance and isn’t “light” as preferred by cyclists and runners.

Yeah wax was used to make tents waterproof as well. But it’s quite a bit heavier than plastic thread
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