OREANDA-NEWS. June 22, 2012. GE (NYSE: GE) today announced an expansion of its award-winning eVent fabrics collection with the introduction of eVent DVL waterproof fabric, a new textile technology and fabric line that is engineered for lightweight, high performance rainwear for outdoor and aerobic activities. eVent DVL (direct venting lite) waterproof fabric is 100 percent waterproof and features the proven air permeable and breathable performance of the patented membrane used in all eVent fabrics.

The inaugural collection of eVent DVL fabric includes lightweight textiles that are ideal for making unlined garments for light duty use in activities such as hiking, climbing, cycling, running and cross-country skiing. Its highly breathable nature makes eVent DVL waterproof fabric appropriate in clothing for high-energy output sports where excess body heat and moisture is readily generated and where there is less demand for the durability of heavier weight fabrics. This new line expands and complements the entire eVent fabrics collection used in apparel, gear and footwear by a number of companies globally.

“eVent DVL fills the market’s continuing demand for light waterproof breathable fabrics,” said Glenn Crowther, product line leader for eVent fabrics. “eVent DVL waterproof fabric uniquely offers the ultimate combination in rainwear: it’s air permeable, breathable and 100 percent waterproof. We believe it is best in class by all three measures for activities and seasons that call for lightweight, packable rainwear.”

What is eVent DVL waterproof fabric?

eVent DVL waterproof fabric is an unlined laminate that features a protective print applied directly onto eVent’s proprietary waterproof ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane. The print—a repeating web of outlined triangular shapes—provides a durable protective screen for the membrane. The membrane technology, with its millions of tiny pores, allows “direct venting” of the body’s heat and moisture through the fabric, yet is waterproof from the outside. The eVent DVL membrane is laminated to lightweight face fabrics for use in jackets, pants and other products.

The technology in eVent DVL waterproof fabric improves upon the performance of what are commonly called 2.5-layer fabrics, according to Crowther.

“eVent DVL waterproof fabric stands alone in this class of fabrics because it does not use a polyurethane coating to protect the membrane from contamination,” explained Crowther. “Polyurethane, applied as a coating, clogs the pores of the membrane and impedes airflow. In eVent fabrics, by comparison, the individual fibrils forming the membrane are treated so the pores remain open—or air permeable—and heat and moisture can pass through directly. That is GE’s Direct Venting* technology.”

Originally developed in the 1990s for high-efficiency industrial air filtration, GE’s venting membrane technology was found to be highly effective in waterproof fabrics for apparel—letting sweat out but keeping rain and elements at bay—and eVent fabrics were launched to the marketplace in 1999. The patented technology that protects the membrane and retains its porous air permeable structure is found only in eVent fabrics and now in the new eVent DVL waterproof fabric.

“Our customers have been asking for this type of product from us,” said Crowther. “We bring it to market now, as it has met our standards for performance, comfort and durability and shows clear performance improvement over widely accepted 2.5-layer products on the market.”

About GE’s eVent membrane technology and fabrics

Since 1999, eVent fabrics have set the standard for truly air permeable and waterproof membranes in textiles. The technology used to create eVent membranes was invented in the 1990s to improve the pollutant-capturing performance of air filtration systems and give superior protection to industrial machinery such as gas turbines. eVent fabric membranes—with billions of pores per square inch—are now widely used for filtration, venting and as a waterproof breathable barrier for products used in the automotive, industrial, apparel and other markets.