Last Updated on October 9, 2021 by jordan Nelson
As consumers, we’re familiar with the terms “waterproof gadget,” “water-resistant device,” and “water repellent device.” But the concern is what the main difference between these terms is? In addition to the many articles,that have already been written on this subject, this article will examine the differences between these three terms, with all the possible FAQs about water-resistant or water repellent materials.
Check out highlights:
- Water proofing test scales
- Water Resistance vs Waterproof
- Damp-Proof vs Waterproof
- “As Example” Water-Resistant vs Waterproof Boots
- What is Water Repellent Nano-coating?
- DWR(Durable water repellent)
- How to maintain repellency
What does Waterproof mean?
While the term “waterproof” is easy to define, it is more difficult to understand the notion behind it.
In simple words,a waterproof product or substance is that which is resistant to the entry of water. Protection against water for an extended length of time.
No industry standard has been created yet to classify a device as waterproof. As far as a rating scale is concerned, the closest thing currently available is the Ingress Protection Rating scale (IP).
According to the IP Code, things are rated from 0 to 8 based on how well they resist water intrusion, a process known as ingress of water.
What does Resistant mean?
Resistance is defined as an unwillingness to yield or to something that delays or prevents something from happening. Wind against the wings of a plane is one example of resistance.
What is Waterproofing?
An item or building can be water-proofed such that it is generally impervious to water and can withstand the entry of water under defined conditions. Such devices can be utilized in moisture or underwater to specific depths.
What does Impermeable mean?
The ability of a material to resist something to pass through it.If we say something is water-impermeable it means it resists water or fluid to pass through it.
What does Water-Resistant refer to?
Although a water-resistant product or material will keep water out, it will only do so for so long. When exposed to high amounts of moisture, the product or material is not fully resistant to water penetration.
What does Water Repellent mean?
It is a step up from water-resistant coatings to have a water-repellent coating. Hydrophobic devices are those that repel water. In the event of a watery encounter, water-repellent equipment has a greater chance of survival.
In most cases, the electronic device is coated with thin-film nanotechnology, which may be applied both inside and outside of the device. As a result of the rarity of a long-lasting water repellent and all the concerns and uncertainties that come with it, the word is extensively discussed.
Water Resistance vs Waterproof
Given that water damage is one of the most prevalent concerns that people face, buying a phone that can protect itself makes sense.
The technical meaning of water-resistant is that it can withstand water penetration to some extent but not fully.
Waterproof technically implies that it is impervious to water, regardless of how long it is immersed in water.
Damp-Proof vs Waterproof
There is a significant distinction between damp proofing and waterproofing. Damp proofing is designed to keep soil moisture out, whereas waterproofing keeps both moisture and liquid water out. Damp proofing is a coating, often asphalt-based, that is sprayed or manually applied to the exterior of a wall.
“As Example” Water-Resistant vs Waterproof Boots
As opposed to water-resistant boots, waterproof boots have a waterproof inner bootie stitched into them, which stops water from seeping into your foot.
Water-repellent boots are made of leather or synthetic materials that have been impregnated with silicone during the production process. Because the treatment will wear off fast, it is up to you, the owner, to maintain and treat the boots regularly.
What is Water Repellent Nano-coating?
An incredibly thin layer of tiny particles is utilized to fill up every pore on a material’s surface in Nano-coating or waterproofing. Water and grime are repelled by the Nano-coating, which acts as a second skin. Protection against corrosion, scratches, and graffiti is also possible with it.
What are natural waterproofing materials?
Natural waterproof coatings such as rubber and wax are utilized to make things waterproof. A waxy layer is commonly seen on leaves to protect them and assist them to retain water.
What is the meaning of being splash proof?
A splash-proof product does not hold water dip and has a limited capacity to withstand water damage. For example, if you take your splash-proof headphones on a run, they will be protected from perspiration or a few drops from your water bottle, but they will not withstand a fall into a puddle.
The IP scale can be used to show the distinctions between splash proof and waterproof goods. The majority of waterproof devices have IP67 certification. If a product has an IP44 rating, it is splash-proof.
There is some scale to check waterproofing and splash proofing:
IP44 water-resistant:
An IP44 product is splash-proof because it can resist splashes from any direction. These items are not affected by solid materials greater than 1 mm in size.
IP55 water-resistant:
These items are resistant against low-pressure jets coming from any direction. IP55 goods also offer some dust protection.
IP66 water-resistant:
An IP66 product can withstand powerful jets from any direction and is dust-proof.
IP67 water-resistant:
If we compare IP67 vs IP68, then IP67products are suitable for 30 minutes of total immersion at a depth of 1 m. This distinguishing feature classifies them as waterproof. They also feature complete dust protection.
IP68 water-resistant:
protection in water up to 1.5m deep for the same amount of time. Both are dust resistant.
What do Water Repellent Clothes mean?
When a product is branded as “water-repellent,” it indicates that it is hydrophobic, or repels water when it comes into contact with it. Repellency is a measure of how much water pressure a cloth can tolerate before it begins to leak.
What does Water Resistance Spray mean?
Water Resistance spray does not make rain boots fully waterproof, but it will extend the life of your leather and fabric shoes. All types of materials from leather to performance fabrics can benefit from the finest waterproof sprays for shoes, which assist build a barrier that repels water and keeps your feet dry.
What is the meaning of Water Repellent Coating?
Water repellent coating means applying a waterproof or nanomaterial layer on the material to resist water to get into it. But water-resistant coating still indicates that water may still “attract” the medium after it has been coated. Waterproofing ensures that no water can flow through, but watch out for “gaps” and “edges” when doing so.
Which is the Strongest Waterproof Material?
It’s no surprise, then, that the packs are made of Dyneema. After all, it is the world’s strongest fabric, which manufacturers claim is 15 times stronger than steel. In the past, it’s been used to deflect bullets and treat human joints, as well as anchor oil rigs and manufacture waterproof coats that are incredibly light and flexible.
How do you test the Waterproofing of a material?
The Static-column test is the most often used to determine how waterproof a garment is. A tube is placed vertically over the item to be tested, and the tube is then filled with water. The waterproof rating is determined by the level of water in millimeters when water begins to leak through the material.
What is Durable Water Repellent?
Durable water repellent, or DWR, is a water-resistant coating that is applied to textiles at the manufacture. The majority of factory-applied treatments are fluoropolymer-based; these coatings are thin and not necessarily effective.
To prevent the outside layer of fabric from being saturated with water, durable water repellents are often used in conjunction with waterproof breathable textiles such as Gore-Tex.
This saturation, known as ‘wetting out,’ can impair the breathability of the garment and allow water to pass through. Because DWR fades off over time, re-treatment is advised as needed.
There are several spray-on and wash-in solutions available for treating non-waterproof clothes and re-treating proofed garments that have lost their waterrepellency.
Can we Re-treat materials to maintain Water Repellency?
Fluoropolymers degrade over time when exposed to water and chemicals, thus some textiles must be re-treated to retain waterrepellency. Washing the clothing with strong detergents typically increases DWR degradation; moreover, soaps frequently create a residue that attracts water and dirt resistance.
Rainwater and saltwater, on the other hand, have a lesser impact on DWRs. To enhance water repellency, affected clothing can be treated with a spray-on or wash-in treatment.
In rare circumstances, heat treatment can reactivate the factory-applied repellent coating and help it repel water and other liquids like oils.
How to make something Waterproof?
Mineral spirits and clear silicone caulking compounds are the earliest methods of waterproofing outdoor textiles.
Your neighborhood hardware shop will have these. In addition to protecting the cloth from moisture, waterproofing these products will extend their lifespan.
Water proof product
