Icon

DWR Fabrics

Usage Areas

JACKETS
PANTS
VESTS
INDUSTRIAL
HOME

What is DWR?

  • DWR stands for Durable Water Repellent, a finish applied to the outer surface of fabrics (often in outerwear, technical textiles, soft-shells, backpacks etc.) to make the surface hydrophobic (water-shedding).
  • It is not a waterproof membrane in itself — rather it’s a surface treatment that helps water to bead up and roll off instead of soaking into the fabric.
  • Typically factory-applied by methods such as spray, dip, or vapour deposition.

    • Why is DWR important?

  • When outer fabrics saturate with water (a condition known as “wet-out”), the performance of underlying waterproof/membrane layers drops, and breathability is compromised. DWR helps prevent the outer fabric from saturating, thus enabling the full system (fabric + membrane + lining) to perform as intended.
  • It improves user comfort by keeping exterior layers dry, reducing weight, and maintaining the fabric’s ability to shed water rather than absorb it.
  • In technical textile and protective apparel contexts, DWR is often used as part of a system: outer fabric + DWR + waterproof/breathable membrane + internal lining. Without a functioning DWR, the outer shell can saturate and trap moisture inside.

    • How does DWR work (mechanism)?

  • The fundamental principle is increasing the contact angle of water droplets on the fabric surface. A high contact angle means water forms beads and rolls off; a low contact angle means the droplet spreads, wets the surface and can be absorbed.
  • The DWR treatment reduces surface energy of the fibers so that water prefers to stay as droplets rather than spread across the surface.
  • Because the DWR is applied to the outer fibers only, the spaces between fibers remain open for vapour transport (i.e., breathability is preserved) in a well-designed system.

    • Types of DWR treatments / chemistry

  • Historically many DWR finishes have been based on fluorocarbon chemistries (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, PFCs) because of their strong water- and oil-repellency performance.
  • More recently, due to environmental concerns, many manufacturers are switching to PFC-free or short-chain fluorocarbon alternatives, silicone-based or hydrocarbon/hydrocarbon-acid based treatments.

    • Performance & limitations

  • DWR does not make a fabric fully waterproof by itself. It aids water shedding, but actual waterproofing usually comes from a membrane or laminate.
  • The word “Durable” can be misleading: DWR will gradually lose effectiveness due to abrasion, laundering, contamination (oils, dirt), UV exposure and wear-and-tear.
  • Once DWR performance drops (i.e., the outer fabric wets out), you’ll begin to see reduced breathability and comfort. This is a key sign of needing re-treatment.

    • Common Applications

    DWR Summary Table
    Sector Applications Benefits of DWR Finish
    Outdoor Jackets, pants, tents Water repellency, breathability
    Workwear Overalls, raincoats Water, oil, chemical resistance
    Military Uniforms, packs, tents Camouflage & weather protection
    Aerospace Balloon, parachute Moisture & weight stability
    Home Upholstery, curtains Stain & water repellency
    Automotive Seat covers, panels Spill resistance, durability
    Medical Gowns, sheets Liquid barrier, hygiene
    Note: You can find many of our DWR-treated products under the Products section on our website.

    Need More Details About This Product?

    You can easily reach us for any questions or requests! ☎️ +90 224 246 32 62 or 📧 info@bientech.com.tr

    Fabric Functions

    Industrial Washing
    Industrial Washing

    Suitable "PRO label industrial laundry"

    The "PRO" lettering with a thick black background indicates suitability for care in professional laundries.
    The series of numbers indicates which of the eight washing processes listed has been tested in accordance with ISO 15797. 
    The two symbols on the right represent the drying process. The hexagon in the square stands for tumble drying. The rectangle at the bottom stands for tunnel or cabinet finishing.
    Our fabrics are produced suitable for industrial washing upon request.

    Durable
    Durable

    We produce durable fabrics

    Durable fabrics are usually used in environments with harsher conditions. They may have to pass high-speed wear tests, more wash cycles test, or stronger pull, twist and bending tests to meet the conditions of use in the environment.

    Fade Resistant
    Fade Resistant

    We produce our fabrics with big molecules and special dyes so that they will not fade for a longer period of time.

    Optional Chemical Finishes
    Optional Chemical Finishes

    The technical properties given to woven and knitted fabrics by different finishing applications make the fabric, and therefore the user, protected against all environmental conditions and external factors. High-performance technical textile products are obtained with finishes that give the fabric properties such as antibacterial, water repellency or flame retardancy. Nano-sized components can make the fabric resistant to washing and functional with PFAS compatibility.

    Address

    Yunus Emre Mh. Yeni Yol Sk. No:6 16370 YILDIRIM/BURSA/TURKEY

    +90 224 246 32 62

    info@bientech.com.tr

    Products

    Antistatic Esd Fabrics Polar Fleece Fabrics Geotextile Special Production Fabrics

    Corporate

    Who we are? Production Gallery Contact Us

    Fallow Me

    Follow us for the latest updates!

    © Bientech 2025, All Right Reserved.