Textile Term: Repellency
Repellency is the property of a textile material to resist or repel the penetration of liquids or soils, thereby keeping the surface clean and dry. This feature is highly desirable for materials that are used in outdoor apparel, sportswear, and other protective clothing.
Textile materials can be treated with various types of repellent finishes to improve their repellency properties. For instance, water-repellent finishes are used to prevent the absorption of water, while oil-repellent finishes are designed to prevent oils and greases from penetrating the fabric. Stain-repellent finishes can also be applied to textiles to repel common stains such as coffee, wine, and mustard.
Repellency can be achieved through different methods such as coating the fabric with chemicals, applying a protective film, or by altering the surface of the fabric. Some of the common chemicals used in repellent finishes include fluorocarbons, silicones, and waxes.
However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of some of these chemicals and their potential health effects, so alternative methods and materials are being developed.
