Click to edit project
Click to edit project description www.crestawards.org
Page 1 of 2 What fabrics are best for sailing gear? In this project, you will investigate and compare the waterproof and breathability properties of a range of fabrics used in clothing designed for sailing. You will find out about the different fabrics used in wet weather sailing gear and how breathable waterproofs work including the advantages and disadvantages over conventional waterproof fabrics. Getting started You will need to research the names of a number of manufacturers of waterproof sailing wear. You will need to devise experiments for comparing the waterproof and breathability properties of various sample fabrics which are similar to those used in sailing clothing. Here are some ideas to help you: Waterproof: Half fill a 250ml beaker with water, cover it with one of the sample fabrics and secure with sturdy elastic bands. Invert the beaker over a funnel placed in a measuring cylinder and record the amount of water (if any) that drips into the measuring cylinder every hour for 4 hours. Do this for each of the fabrics - one of the fabrics could be a control e.g. a sheet of polythene or some other material that you are confident is 100% waterproof. Breathability: Half fill a 250ml beaker with water, cover it with one of the sample fabrics and secure with sturdy elastic bands. Measure the mass of the beaker plus water and fabric as accurately as possible on an electronic balance. Do this for each of the fabrics, including your 100% waterproof control, and measure their mass daily for about a week. If a fabric is breathable the mass of the beaker and water will drop as water vapour escapes from the beaker through the fabric. The drop in mass over a certain time will be a measure of the breathability of the fabric. Click to edit project description Things to think about What are the most important features of sailing clothing? What makes a fabric waterproof? What are breathable fabrics and what are their advantages and disadvantages? What are the best clothing products currently available for sailing? What was sailing clothing like in the past? What new technologies might be used in sailing clothing in the future? Useful resources You could ask for samples of different fabrics including breathable and nonbreathable ones from manufacturers. This will need to be done well in advance so that you have them in time for your investigation. Local outdoor shops may be able to help. Alternatively, you could use samples of similar fabrics from old clothing or other recycled textiles.
