MIT team has come up with stronger water repellant coating for cotton, silk and other natural fabrics. The MIT team says that most fabrics are water resistant not water repellant, the water drops eventually get through. Whereas, water should really just bounce back.
The MIT team combined shorter chain polymer and ICVD, initiated chemical vapor deposition which is a different coating process.
Potential
Using the ICVD, a very thin and uniform coating can be produced that follows the contours of the fibers and does not let any clog of pores happen. Thus, it eliminates the need for a second processing stage. Then sandblasting can be added on the surface to increase the water repellency even more.The process works on several fabrics including, cotton, nylon, linen, etc.
Testing
The testing so far has proved good results. Not only water but it has been tested using many other products like ketchup, coffee, sodium hydroxide and many other acids.
The coating has been further tested with over 10,000 washes but the coating remains intact.
