Influence of Hydration State on Permeation Testing and Vapor Transport Properties of Protective Clothing Layers

Protective clothing systems composed of permselective polymer film laminates are an alternative to standard air-permeable garments based on activated carbon. These polymer layers are designed with high water vapor permeation rates and low permeation of chemical warfare agents. Polymer films that have a significant water vapor flux usually also have an affinity for water, and will hydrate and swell significantly at high humidity levels. The polymer film's increase in water content has the potential to affect the transport rate of chemical warfare agents in vapor and liquid form, and usually also has a large effect on the intrinsic water vapor permeability of the membrane.