| abstract |
Polymeric garment material is made by applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32) which may be present on a mould (30), applying a foam (38) of a polymeric material to the substrate, allowing the coagulant to coagulate some of the foam and removing uncoagulated foam from the substrate to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate. The uncoagulated foam may be removed by spraying liquid such as water or directing a jet of gas such as air onto the substrate. After removing uncoagulated foam the substrate may be immersed in water to remove coagulant. The polymeric material may be one or more of nitrile latex, natural latex, polyurethane latex, polyvinyl chloride latex, neoprene and polyvinylacetate. The coagulant may be an aqueous or alcoholic solution of an electrolyte such as formic acid, acetic acid, calcium nitrate and calcium chloride. The garment may be a coat, an apron, a boot, a shoe, a sock, an item of underwear, a gloove or a corset. The garment material allows perspiration to escape and reduces heat build up. It may have a water vapour permeability of 3.5 to 6.5 mg.cm<-2> .h<-1> and when subjected to a temperature of 20 Ò 2{C and a relative humidity of 65 Ò 2% for 265 minutes holds between 1.0 and 8.5 mg of water per cm<2>. |