--- title: "PFAS-Free Coatings Improve Water Repellency in Military Textiles" id: "12347" type: "post" slug: "pfas-free-coatings-improve-water-repellency-in-military-textiles" published_at: "2026-10-22T12:22:41+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-22T12:38:35+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/pfas-free-coatings-improve-water-repellency-in-military-textiles-012347/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/pfas-free-coatings-improve-water-repellency-in-military-textiles-012347.md" excerpt: "Lightweight, breathable, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-free textiles are key to safer, more sustainable military uniforms." taxonomy_category: - "Business" - "Circular Economy" - "Decorating & Coatings" - "Design" - "Editor's Choice Technical Paper" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "Nylons" - "People" - "PFAS" - "Process" - "Sports & Recreation" - "Sustainability" - "Thermoplastics" - "Trending" - "Wearables" taxonomy_post_tag: - "cotton" - "Durable Water Repellent" - "DWR" - "Epoxy" - "Fluorine-Free Textiles" - "Functional Textiles" - "Military Textiles" - "Military Uniforms" - "NYCO" - "Nylon" - "PFAs" - "PFAS-free" - "silica" - "Sustainable Textiles" - "Textile Coatings" - "Water Repellency" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Trending](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/) » [PFAS](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/pfas/) » PFAS-Free Coatings Improve Water Repellency in Military Textiles # PFAS-Free Coatings Improve Water Repellency in Military Textiles Tactical gear must withstand harsh weather conditions and HazMat environments. ### Lightweight, breathable, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-free textiles are key to safer, more sustainable military uniforms. PFAS have historically been the gold standard for providing water and contaminant protection to textiles. Durable water repellent (DWR) treatments are essential for military uniforms, which undergo many weather conditions during prolonged deployments. PFAS treatments provide this protection while keeping the fabric comfortable and breathable. Alternative PFAS-free DWR treatments must balance liquid repellency and important fabric properties, such as weight and breathability. Many current PFAS-free treatments achieve greater effectiveness by applying multiple treatment layers. This can stiffen the fabric, increase its weight, and affect its color. For tactical gear, lightweight fabric is vital, as small increases can contribute to soldier fatigue. Fabric colors must also meet military standards. **You can also read:** [PFAS-Free Repellent Coatings: A Safer Alternative for Textiles](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/12/pfas-free-repellent-coatings-a-safer-alternative-for-textiles-007544/) ## Fluorine-Free Protective Textiles A novel [isopropanol, epoxy, and silica surface treatment](https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9637/9/2/55) has demonstrated high water repellency while maintaining key fabric performance characteristics. Researchers applied this treatment to untreated 50/50 Nylon/Cotton blend (NYCO) fabric. This fabric conforms to MIL-DTL-44436, the United States military specification for wind-resistant cloth. When producing samples, researchers maintained a 3:7 weight ratio of silica and epoxy. [The same authors’ 2024 study](https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/7/885) established this ratio. Though the ratio stayed the same, the sample formulations contained isopropanol content ranging from 94.8 wt% to 98.2 wt%. By adjusting the isopropanol content, researchers could assess the influence of silica and epoxy in suspension on the treated fabric. ## Water Repellency The treated fabrics demonstrated excellent water repellency across the range of solid content levels. When sprayed with treatments containing 5.2 wt% to 2.0 wt% solids, the fabrics showed complete resistance to water surface wetting. The micro- and nanoscale surface texture created by the silica particles in the treatment governs the fabric’s water repellency. F-0 shows scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of untreated fabric; F-1 to F-4 are treated samples. Figure courtesy of [Multimetric Optimization of PFAS-Free Water-Repellent Treatments on Nylon/Cotton (NYCO) Fabrics.](https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9637/9/2/55#B22-surfaces-09-00055) ## Lightweight, Breathable Fabric Fabric weight increased directly with the solids content in the surface-treatment suspension. The 2.0 wt% suspension represents the lowest achievable weight gain while maintaining a spray rating of 100. Thus, the 2.0 wt% suspension optimizes the weight while achieving excellent water repellency. Treatments with higher solids content also reduced air permeability and, therefore, fabric breathability. In the 2.0 wt% formulation, breathability decreased only by 10%. Researchers calculated the fabric’s color change. All samples achieved an AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change rating of Grade 4-5. This rating meets military textile specifications for colorfastness. This treatment is a PFAS-free alternative for water-repellent fabric. It performs well while maintaining fabric color, breathability, and weight. This approach demonstrates how MIL-DTL-44436 textile standards are achievable without PFAS. The treatment had a minimal effect on the fabric’s color. Figure courtesy of [Multimetric Optimization of PFAS-Free Water-Repellent Treatments on Nylon/Cotton (NYCO) Fabrics.](https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9637/9/2/55#B22-surfaces-09-00055) By **[Julienne Smith](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/juliennesmith/)** | October 22, 2026 ##### [Julienne Smith](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/juliennesmith/) [+ postsBio ⮌](#) Having studied Geology, Julienne Smith focuses on environmentalism, sustainability, and the policies that impact plastics professionals today. As a technical writer, she is passionate about the intersection of science, technology, and communication. In her free time, she loves learning new things and writing fiction. - Julienne Smith [Functional Coatings Improve Microplastic Removal from Wastewater](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/functional-coatings-improve-microplastic-removal-from-wastewater-012352/) - Julienne Smith [PFAS Compliance Uncertainty Grows for Medical Device Makers](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/pfas-compliance-uncertainty-grows-for-medical-device-makers-012450/) - Julienne Smith [SPE Microplastics Forum Will Bring Plastics Experts to Baltimore](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/spe-microplastics-forum-will-bring-plastics-experts-to-baltimore-012299/) - Julienne Smith [Catalytic Pathways Target Chemical Circularity for Polyolefins](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/catalytic-pathways-target-chemical-circularity-for-polyolefins-012015/) ### Other posts you could read [October 16, 2026Bio-Based Additives Face a Cost Premium Problem](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/bio-based-additives-face-a-cost-premium-problem-012306/) [October 20, 2026Automotive Shredder Residue Targets Concrete Applications](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/automotive-shredder-residue-targets-concrete-applications-012321/) [October 9, 2026Liquid Crystal Film Reduces Ghost Images in Automotive Displays](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/liquid-crystal-film-reduces-ghost-images-in-automotive-displays-012245/) [October 2, 2026Better Plastic Recycling Starts With Better Collection](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/better-plastic-recycling-starts-with-better-collection-012229/) [September 25, 2026The Sensorial Container: Designing Packaging for All Five Senses](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/the-sensorial-container-designing-packaging-for-all-five-senses-012190/) [October 14, 2026Inside the Analytical Challenges of Measuring Microplastics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/inside-the-analytical-challenges-of-measuring-microplastics-012486/) [October 14, 2026Automotive Plastic Waste Pyrolysis Produces Diesel-Range Oil](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/automotive-plastic-waste-pyrolysis-produces-diesel-range-oil-012337/) [September 22, 2026Chemical Safety in Plastics 2026 Tackles PFAS Reformulation](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/chemical-safety-in-plastics-2026-tackles-pfas-reformulation-012145/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2026/10/pfas-free-coatings-improve-water-repellency-in-military-textiles-012347/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&text=PFAS-Free+Coatings+Improve+Water+Repellency+in+Military+Textiles&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&text=PFAS-Free+Coatings+Improve+Water+Repellency+in+Military+Textiles&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&t=PFAS-Free+Coatings+Improve+Water+Repellency+in+Military+Textiles](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&t=PFAS-Free+Coatings+Improve+Water+Repellency+in+Military+Textiles) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&title=PFAS-Free%20Coatings%20Improve%20Water%20Repellency%20in%20Military%20Textiles&summary=Lightweight%2C+breathable%2C+per-+and+polyfluoroalkyl+substance+%28PFAS%29-free+textiles+are+key+to+safer%2C+more+sustainable+military+uniforms.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&title=PFAS-Free%20Coatings%20Improve%20Water%20Repellency%20in%20Military%20Textiles&summary=Lightweight%2C+breathable%2C+per-+and+polyfluoroalkyl+substance+%28PFAS%29-free+textiles+are+key+to+safer%2C+more+sustainable+military+uniforms.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&title=PFAS-Free+Coatings+Improve+Water+Repellency+in+Military+Textiles](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12347&title=PFAS-Free+Coatings+Improve+Water+Repellency+in+Military+Textiles) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b74383e29212e283f761b272a383f2228386b0e252c22252e2e3922252c6b666b1b0d0a18660d392e2e6b08242a3f22252c386b02263b39243d2e6b1c2a3f2e396b192e3b2e27272e2528326b22256b062227223f2a39326b1f2e333f22272e386d29242f3276233f3f3b387164643c3c3c653b272a383f2228382e252c22252e2e3922252c6524392c64743b767a79787f7c](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b74383e29212e283f761b272a383f2228386b0e252c22252e2e3922252c6b666b1b0d0a18660d392e2e6b08242a3f22252c386b02263b39243d2e6b1c2a3f2e396b192e3b2e27272e2528326b22256b062227223f2a39326b1f2e333f22272e386d29242f3276233f3f3b387164643c3c3c653b272a383f2228382e252c22252e2e3922252c6524392c64743b767a79787f7c) - [#comments](#comments)