Advancing The State Of Waterproofing With Seam Seal Tape

Waterproofing is not an entirely modern concept

, it goes back over 100 years. In 1832, a Scottish chemist named Charles Macintosh stumbled upon something. He discovered that rubber dissolved in coal-tar naphtha. This created an agent to cement pieces of fabric together. Today, we see modern seam sealing tapes and chemicals that waterproof garments, but they are all thanks to the simple process discovered by Macintosh.

Even after 190 years, the Macintosh raincoat is a viable and popular garment. It paved the way to the technology we use today in the garment industry. From protective clothing for professionals all the way to consumer wear, it's because of Macintosh that we stay dry.

Like a lot of scientific discoveries, this chemical agent was discovered party by accident. Macintosh was trying to find a way to use waste products from gasworks. As he was conducting his research, he discovered that India rubber will dissolve if mixed with coal-tar naphtha. This created a paste that Macintosh saw as a bonding agent. He spread it on one side of wool fabric and then press another on top of it.

This product was not without it's problems though. The initial test did not create a completely waterproof product, and there were still a long list of problems to address. The fabric was susceptible to puncture. Natural oils would cause the bonding agent to deteriorate and breakdown. Environmental factors made the product change: cold weather made the bonding agent stiff, while hot weather made it melt and become tacky and sticky.

Despite all this, Macintosh provided the first step. Technological advanced were made to the design and concept, and breakthrough was made. In 1839, the invention of galvanized rubber was put to use. This compound could withstand the temperature changes, and was a decided improvement on the groundwork that Macintosh had laid down.

More improvements were made to modern garments and created little worry of leaks and deterioration, but there was still one big problem. With any garment, it has to be sewn. Needles create holes in the fabric. Hems are made for stability and tensile strength and are necessary for any garment.

This is where seam sealing tape comes into play. It is used to create a water tight seal over seams and anywhere that a needle has to pass through. Heat is applied to the tape, or it is pressed, and the tape bonds to the fabric. This creates a durable and long lasting hold, and therefore a effective seal against water and moisture.

Years ago, seam sealing tape was applied by hands. Rows and rows of factory workers would sew or press the tape by hand to the garment. The process was refined in the 80s, and now tape is applied with seam seal taping machines. This is a much more effective, efficient and productive way to produce garments that are completely waterproof.

by: Timothy k Griffiths

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