Gelanots membrane
ACD Membrane - Clothing - Tents - Sleeping bags - Backpacks - Gelanots
Gelanots XP
is the name given to a unique Toyota product - a non-cutting hydrophilic membrane. Thanks to its capabilities, it is used for the production of textile materials for sportswear (most often it is laminated on the reverse side of the fabric). Membranes in functional sportswear generally ensure that evaporated sweat can pass through the membrane to the outside and that external moisture does not penetrate inside - simply put - so that the sweating wearer does not "get sweaty" and in the rain does not get drenched. An example of a traditional clothing membrane is the material known by the brand name GORE-TEX, the principle of which is essentially very simple: in this polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane there are microscopic pores that are much larger than a single water molecule (water vapour), yet much smaller than the smallest droplet of water. Water vapour can therefore pass through the micropores, but liquid water cannot.
The Gelanots XP membrane differs from a conventional microporous membrane in a fundamental way: it is non-porous (no pores) and yet its vapour permeability is excellent. Its development is moving forward rapidly, already reaching the values of the top microporous membranes and at the same time, thanks to its non-porosity, it does not have their shortcomings.
Manufacturer's guaranteed parameters for GELANOTS XP: vapour permeability of at least 20 000 g H20/m2 za 24 h, waterproofness of at least 20 000mm H20
Vapour permeability
The secret of the high vapour permeability of Gelanots membrane is hidden in the molecular structure of the special polyurethane (PUR) from which it is made. There are relatively large gaps between its molecules and the mutual forces between the PUR and water molecules are optimal for this function. As a person sweats during physical exertion, the concentration of vapour under his clothing increases. When a molecule of evaporated sweat reaches the vicinity of the Gelanots membrane, it is drawn between the PUR molecules and becomes temporarily part of it. We call this making the membrane hydrophilic. Due to the higher partial pressures of the saturated vapour inside the garment and the higher temperature on the inside of the membrane, water vapour is then continuously forced through the membrane. This is as natural a phenomenon as water flowing from a higher place to a lower place.
This is an interesting feature for which Gelanots is called a "smart membrane". When we move vigorously, we not only sweat more, but our body temperature rises. Due to the higher temperature, the PUR molecules move faster, the distances between them increase, and the ability to let vapour through increases proportionally.
If the intensity of physical exertion increases or the outside temperature drops, the evaporated sweat on the inside of the membrane starts to condense - the membrane becomes dewy on the inside. This is where the vapour permeable function of conventional membranes like PTFE ends - if the condensed sweat forms a continuous film, they stop breathing altogether. Not so for Gelanots. Its hydrophilic function can even now draw condensed water molecules into its structure and expel them on the outside of the garment.
The limiting situation occurs in the rain, when the entire outside of the garment is covered with water. The PTFE membrane now has all its pores filled and its vapour permeability is zero. In Gelanots, the partial pressures of water vapour can no longer do anything either, as the relative humidity on both sides of the membrane is 100%. What does not stop working is the temperature difference. The PUR molecules on the inner (warmer) side of the membrane move faster, larger intermolecular gaps are formed there, and vapor transport still takes place (albeit limited).
If we want to compare the vapour permeability of different membranes, we give it in grams of water vapour that passes through a 1m2 area in 24 hours. The measurements are carried out by internationally recognised authorised testing laboratories under laboratory conditions precisely defined according to ISO. Only the results obtained in this way can be considered objective and reliable. For the GELANOTS XP membrane, the manufacturer guarantees a minimum value of 20,000 g/m2 in 24 hours.
Further developments are being made to reduce the resistance to vapour transmission of the binder (adhesive) that laminates the membrane to the fabric. The latest results suggest that guaranteed values of over 35,000 g/m2 in 24 hours will soon be achieved.
Waterproofing
The waterproofness of the membrane is determined by a water pressure test. During this test, the pressure under the membrane is gradually increased in the prescribed manner and the value at which the first droplets are forced through the membrane is recorded. The water pressure is usually converted to the height of the water column that would cause such pressure and is expressed in millimetres.
Conventional porous membranes such as PTFE do achieve certain waterproofing values at rest. However, due to wearing, bending, stretching or improper washing (twisting), the pores in the stressed areas will expand, the waterproofness will gradually decrease and over time the exposed areas such as the shoulders under the backpack straps, elbows and knees on the inside and outside, shoe bends etc. may become wet. The non-porous structure of the Gelanots membrane is therefore also a great advantage here. Gelanots is compact and very elastic and there is no risk of any damage to the membrane due to stretching during normal use, which would result in a reduction in the resistance to pressure.
The manufacturer guarantees that GELANOTS XP will hold a pressure of at least 20,000 mm water column and this figure will remain almost unchanged after years of use..
Elasticity
Elasticity, the very important ability of the membrane to return to its original dimension after stretching without damage, permanent deformation or loss of waterproofness. Gelanots meets these requirements to the extent that it is commonly laminated to stretchable (stretch) materials and to knits or fleeces.
The seamless lamination of the Gelanots membrane to stretch fabric materials allows the use of stretch materials on knees, shoulders, elbows and other parts or entire waterproof sportswear which further increases the comfort of the user.
Durability
All the advantages of a membrane that has no pores are duly reflected in the durability assessment. A typical disadvantage of conventional porous PTFE membranes is that their pores gradually become clogged and thus vapour permeability deteriorates. Salts and fats contained in sweat, dirt and detergents can settle in the pores and clog them. Non-porous Gelanots do not suffer from this.
Gelanots retains its elasticity and durability even at very low temperatures. In individual cases, testing has been carried out during high-altitude expeditions at temperatures as low as -40°C. It was possible to monitor the production of several thousand pieces of PINGUIN clothing products over a period of 4 years. During this time, there has not been a single case of a complaint where the membrane has been damaged or the properties have deteriorated due to use.
Maintenance
Gelanots does not require any special cleaning processes. It can be washed in a washing machine with common products designed for these types of materials (e.g. NIKWAX products and others can be purchased in any outdoor store), it can be dried gently in the dryer. However, before putting it in the washing machine or dryer, inspect the pockets thoroughly and remove hard and sharp objects that could damage the membrane. Fasten zips and Velcro fasteners. The use of fabric softener and dry cleaning is prohibited. Stains can be removed locally with isopropyl alcohol.
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machine washable at 30°C, delicate wash programme |
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do not dry clean |
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do not use chlorine-releasing bleaching agents |
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after washing, do not spin, just hang out and let drip |
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never twist! |
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Can be tumble dried at the lowest temperature |
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iron up to 110°C without steam |
It is a very lightweight material made with a special technology where the functional PU layer on the reverse side of the fabric is so resistant to mechanical damage that it does not need to be protected by a lining. It is designed for the production of lightweight and storable garments that we can always carry with us in case of bad weather.
- Pressure resistance: 10 000mm H2O
- Vapour permeability: 15 000g H2O/m2 za 24h
It is a very versatile material composed of three layers that are bonded together by lamination technology. The outer layer is a mechanically resistant flexible nylon. Thanks to the Gelanots membrane, taped seams and laminated inner layer of microfleece, the Gelanots softshell is 100% water and windproof, highly breathable and thermally insulating.
Softshell jackets that have an insulating fleece layer on the underside cannot be sealed at the seams to make the seams 100% waterproof. This generally applies to all garments made from 3-layer softshell materials, regardless of the brand and membrane used. Most softshell garments from other brands do not have seams taped at all. Gelanots softshell jackets are lined with waterproof tape on the bottom (or top) seams, which can only prevent about 90% of moisture from penetrating. In practice, this means that the jacket is 100% waterproof on the surface, but the tape stuck on the fleece layer (or the top fabric of the laminate) cannot seal the seam so that a certain (relatively small compared to unlined seams) amount of moisture does not escape through the layer between the membrane and the taping after a certain time.
- Pressure resistance: 20 000mm H2O
- Vapour permeability: 20 000g H2O/m2 za 24h
Gelanots XP
It is a unique hydrophilic membrane that is laminated to the textile material of the sportswear. It forms a perfect protection against the weather and at the same time maintains a constant microclimate on the surface of the body at rest even during intense physical exertion. It has been developed for active outdoor sports and its parameters satisfy even the most demanding comfort requirements of the user.
- Pressure resistance:: 20 000mm H2O
- Vapour permeability: 20 000g H2O/m2 za 24h
It is a so-called three-layer laminate, where the following three layers are joined by lamination: the top fabric, the Gelanots XP membrane and the lower membrane protection. The material thus achieved is designed for garments for extreme conditions, it can withstand even higher water pressure, while the vapour permeability is maintained as with the XP membrane.
- Pressure resistance: 30 000mm H2O
- Vapour permeability: 20 000g H2O/m2 za 24h