Re: [Paddlewise] Tyvek in Lieu of Goretex?

From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 08:25:49 -0800
Steve Jernigan wrote:
> 
> Dave Kruger wrote:
> >[snip] look at what I found:
> >http://www.yournewhouse.com/dupont/tyvek.html
> >
> >Yes. Tyvek is also water-vapor-permeable, but water-droplet-proof.

> Hi Dave et al!
> In shocked disbelief, I had to visit that web site. I have never known
> tyvek to be breathable; in fact I have had the misfortune to wear tyvek
> disposable clean-room garments in the past. They are the closest thing to a
> personal sauna I have ever encountered. How d'you suppose dupont made it
> "breathable?

I think it's a matter of degree:  humid humans produce an enormous flux of
water vapor per square inch when exercising, mandating very high vapor
transmission rates.  Houses do not produce as much water vapor per square
inch, so the **limited** vapor transmission properties of Tyvek can handle
house sweat, but not people sweat.

BTW, in my Diaplex search, I discovered that Goretex has *other* uses: 
seat covers, sheets for bedwetters, and other uses you *do not* want to
know about in the ... ahem ... reconstructive surgery arena.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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Received on Wed Mar 17 1999 - 08:27:32 PST

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