EPIC BY NEXTEC GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Water Resistance
A measurement of the pressure at which water passes through a fabric.

Water Repellency
The degree to which a fabric resists the penetration of water at a set pressure.

Wet-Out
The effect seen when a fabric begins to absorb water. Wet-out will compromise the breathability of a fabric. Laminated and coated fabrics rely on a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) for water repellency but the DWR will not prevent a fabric from absorbing water once they have worn off.

Windproof
A fabric’s ability to stop air passage at a certain pressure.

Packability
A measure of a garment’s ability to compress into a small space. Coated and laminated fabrics have additional layers that add weight and stiffness. Encapsulated fabrics pack more easily in very small spaces because they don’t have extra layers.

Breathability
The ability of a fabric to allow moisture vapor to be transported to the outside.

Laminate Technology
A technology by which a film is bonded onto one side of a fabric, compromising breathability and hand. The technology may delaminate and often has a stiff, boardy feel.

Coating Technology
A finishing process whereby a coating is applied to one or both sides of a fabric and results in an increase in water resistance but a decrease in many other tactile properties. These include breathability, suppleness, drape and performance at extremely cold temperatures.

Encapsulation Technology
A process patented worldwide by Nextec Applications, Inc. that places an ultra thin polymer around the fibers and precisely places a tough, breathable barrier inside the fabric and between the fiber bundles. This process is engineered to maximize performance attributes such as breathability, water resistance, durability and packability without negatively impacting tactile properties.




EPIC BY NEXTEC GLOSSARY OF TERMS Water Resistance A measurement of the pressure at which water passes through a fabric. Water Repellency The degree to which a fabric resists the penetration of water at a set pressure. Wet-Out The effect seen when a fabric begins to absorb water. Wet-out will compromise the breathability of a fabric. Laminated and coated fabrics rely on a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) for water repellency but the DWR will not prevent a fabric from absorbing water once they have worn off. Windproof A fabric’s ability to stop air passage at a certain pressure. Packability A measure of a garment’s ability to compress into a small space. Coated and laminated fabrics have additional layers that add weight and stiffness. Encapsulated fabrics pack more easily in very small spaces because they don’t have extra layers. Breathability The ability of a fabric to allow moisture vapor to be transported to the outside. Laminate Technology A technology by which a film is bonded onto one side of a fabric, compromising breathability and hand. The technology may delaminate and often has a stiff, boardy feel. Coating Technology A finishing process whereby a coating is applied to one or both sides of a fabric and results in an increase in water resistance but a decrease in many other tactile properties. These include breathability, suppleness, drape and performance at extremely cold temperatures. Encapsulation Technology A process patented worldwide by Nextec Applications, Inc. that places an ultra thin polymer around the fibers and precisely places a tough, breathable barrier inside the fabric and between the fiber bundles. This process is engineered to maximize performance attributes such as breathability, water resistance, durability and packability without negatively impacting tactile properties.

		AATCC American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials ISO International Organization for Standardization DWR (Durable Water Repellent) A water-repellency treatment applied to fabric by immersion in a chemical bath. Fabric treated with a DWR will cause light rain to bead up and roll off, though heavy rain will eventually cause the fabric to wet-out. And, after some time, water will penetrate the fabric. DWR finishes are not durable and wash out or wear off.