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Breathable TPU Membrane — Waterproof, Moisture-Permeable Film for Fabric Lamination
Manufactured, non-porous, hydrophilic film impermeable to liquid water, permeable to sweat vapour. Suitable for use in the lamination of apparel, medical, home textile and footwear products.
Non-porous
Hydrophilic TPU, no micropores to clog
~10,000 mmH₂O
Typical hydrostatic head (waterproof)
Low → High
4 breathability grades (MVTR)
PFAS-free
Non-fluorinated polymer
Ester + Ether
Tear-strength or hydrolysis-resistant
0.012–0.080 mm
Custom thickness & roll width
Trapped Sweat or Leaking Seams? How a Breathable TPU Membrane Solves Both
The enemy to all of our laminated waterproofs is the same: Seal water out and you almost invariably seal sweat in. Talk to any shell jacket wearer and the grumble is invariably the same: the breathables are still a clammy feeling when exerting yourself, as, at 35-37 degrees centigrade skin temp, the vapor has no where to go once the face fabric wets out. From a sourcing perspective, the challenge is of another kind: PU-coated laminates that can de-laminate under numerous industrial wash cycles, and those numbers for MVTR that you see on the spec sheet can disappear in a well run test lab.
Hook · The Non-Porous Breathing Principle
The microporous membrane, ePTFE / Gore-Tex type, breaths via its few billions of pores. There are no holes at all on a breathability TPU membrane. It’s a compact and hydrophilic material (hydrophilic molecular chains, catching humidity vapor in the humid side, pulling the moisture via diffusion across the material, and expelling it on the dry side.
Instead, the motor is simply the vapor pressure differential between a warm, moist inside of clothing and the cool, dry outside – not pore size. And since there aren’t pores, there’s nothing to clog up with body oils, detergent, or grime — the same reason hydrophilic films can maintain breathability over time, unlike microporous films that are prone to fouling.
It’s also why the honest answer to “Is it waterproof AND breathable?” is, in fact: it’s a trade-off. The more waterproof any membrane, the more effort vapor has to make to escape (a law of physics the outdoor-textile world knows well). A smart TPU film has to balance these two elements – not overcome them. Indeed, a study in peer-reviewed literature that discusses waterproof-breathable membranes talks about this very category of non-porous, diffusion driven films used in textile applications (NIH PMC, 2023).
- Waterproof: a completely solid layer of film, without holes, also completely windproof by nature.
- Breathable: moisture-vapor transmission via hydrophilic diffusion, tuned by grade.
- Durable: no pores to block, and (in ether grades) high resistance to hydrolysis.
We designed our grades to allow vapor to move via hydrophilic diffusion, rather than hole size, and unlike a trading house, Shanghai Tengyang New Materials operates its own in-house casting, film blowing, and slitting lines, so the film that ships is the film we tested in practice. This is the membrane class that is the subject of peer-reviewed textile research and is captured by hydrostatic test methods such as ISO 811.
New to non-porous vs microporous membranes?
Get the plain-English TPU membrane primer & grade guide →
Tengyang Breathable TPU Membrane — Grades, Specs & How to Select
Breathability isn’t one number. The same membrane can test under 1,000 or over 17,000 g/m/24h simply based on the test method a lab employs. We specify each grade against a stated test method – without a method the number itself has little value. Modified-TPU waterproof, moisture-permeable film chemistry of this nature is currently a field of active patenting (CN119638950A).
The 4-Grade Breathability × Test-Method Cross-Reference
| Breathability grade | MVTR — JIS L1099 B-1 (g/m²/day) | MVTR — high-humidity A-1 method | Hydrostatic head | Common base | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | < ~9,000 | — | ~10,000 mmH₂O | Ester / Ether | Mattress protector, blackout, bags, down-proof |
| Medium | ~9,000 | > ~20,000 | ~10,000 mmH₂O | Ether | Jackets, outdoor garments |
| Medium-High | ~11,000 | > ~40,000 | ~10,000 mmH₂O | Ether | Storm suits, ski wear |
| High | > ~12,000 | > ~50,000 | ~10,000 mmH₂O | Ether | High-exertion shells |
The ranges below are typical for textile grade breathable TPU film and are verified on each grade’s data sheet prior to placing an order. The same physical film tests higher for MVTR under the hot/humid A-1 method than under a cooler, more realistic (closer to human body temps) method – the two aren’t equivalent.
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
Key drivers for film selection: thickness (commonly 0.012-0.080 mm for lamination), hardness (roughly 85-92 Shore A), elongation at break (well over 100% for general textile applications, significantly higher for high-stretch grades), and the melt behavior (approx. 160-170°C) which enables heat-, HF-, and ultrasonic-welding. These are the selection criteria – not subjective buzzwords.
Beyond breathability, these are high-performance films: elasticity and recovery matter for stretch laminates, they show strong tear and abrasion resistance, and they hold dependable water resistance across every grade. That blend is why the same film family carries from soft garments to rugged inflatable products.
Buyer Advisory — what to fix before you commit a grade
When selecting, identify the MVTR target along with the appropriate test method, specify the substrate (e.g., nylon, polyester, stretch, fleece, nonwoven), and indicate the process details (e.g., lamination temperature, line speed, adhesive type). A membrane that works perfectly in laboratory conditions may not hold up during production cutting, sewing, bonding, or handling if the film and substrate haven’t been thoroughly evaluated together. We sample match before moving to bulk production.
Ester (Polyester) vs Ether (Polyether) — Choose by End-Use, Not Price
| Base type | Core strength | Weak spot | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ester (Polyester) | Higher tear strength, high elongation, soft hand | Lower hydrolysis resistance in constant wet/heat | Garments, home textile, mattress, camping |
| Ether (Polyether) | Strong hydrolysis & low-temperature resistance | Slightly different processing window | Medical, water sports, footwear, dry bags, inflatables |
Not sure which grade fits your fabric?
Send your application for a free Ester/Ether grade recommendation →
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Breathable TPU Membrane vs Microporous (ePTFE / Gore-Tex), PU & PVC
There is no “single best” membrane-only the one that is most appropriate for your specific requirements for durability, processing, and compliance. While the term “TPU membrane vs. Gore-Tex” is a common way for buyers to simplify the decision, the fundamental distinction isn’t about brand names but about the underlying mechanisms: non-porous hydrophilic versus microporous fluoropolymer membranes. Unlike most datasheets that rely on qualitative descriptions, this analysis focuses on objective and measurable behaviors.
| Property | Breathable TPU (ours) | Microporous ePTFE | PU coating | PVC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Non-porous hydrophilic film | Microporous fluoropolymer | Hydrophilic coating | Plasticized non-porous |
| Breathes via | Vapor diffusion (no pores) | Micropores | Diffusion | Minimal |
| Fluorine / PFAS | Non-fluorinated · PFAS-free | Fluoropolymer · PFAS supply-chain risk | PFAS-free | PFAS-free |
| Pore clogging | None (no pores) | Possible (oils/dirt) | None | None |
| Durability, wash/UV | High; ether = hydrolysis-resistant | High | Lower; can delaminate | Stiffens, plasticizer migration |
| Weldability | HF / heat / ultrasonic | Limited | Limited | HF |
| Relative cost | Mid | High | Low | Low |
The one number buyers get wrong: MVTR isn’t comparable across methods
MVTR is not comparable across test methods. ASTM’s own water-vapor standard (ASTM E96/E96M-24) states that a result from one method and set of conditions cannot predict another. Published testing shows the same membrane can read many times higher under a hot, humid method (such as JIS L1099 A1) than under a cooler, more realistic one (such as ASTM E96 B, near a body’s 35–36 °C) — often an order-of-magnitude gap on one physical film. So a competitor’s “20,000 MVTR” quoted without a named method is not a number you can compare — or trust.
Why RET actually favors TPU
RET (resistance to evaporative heat loss, per ISO 11092) was first created for monolithic hydrophilic membranes, the family of a breathable TPU membrane. microporous membranes will tend to score worse on the RET even if they work well in the field. a lower RET value represents better breathability, and the hydrophilic TPU is the type of membrane RET was intended to measure.
COMPLIANCE WARNING
PFAS: the 2026 procurement swing factor
Because ePTFE is a fluoropolymer, the wider fluorinated supply chain (legacy PFOA, PFAS-based DWR) is a live regulatory exposure, and the US EPA frames water- and stain-repellent fabrics as PFAS contexts (EPA PFAS); several countries now ban PFOA/PFOS/PFHxS from apparel. A breathable TPU membrane is not a fluoropolymer, so the membrane material itself falls outside that group — a cleaner, more auditable chemical position for apparel buyers. Solvent-free manufacturing routes reinforce that position (US20230082377A1).
Building a spec that has to survive a PFAS audit?
Request our TPU vs ePTFE compliance comparison →
APPLICATION ENGINEERING
Where Breathable TPU Membrane Delivers — Apparel, Medical, Home Textile & Footwear
Different applications share same family of membranes-with the end-use impacting burden. In medicine, this would mean skin-contact and sterilization. For footwear, it is wash durability and hydrolysis. For clothing, hand-feel and MVTR. Our match against burden, not simply label.
MANUFACTURING ADVISORY
Because the material is welded, not sewn, laminators can create monolithic leak-proof assemblies, which is why TPU membranes and TPU-composites appear everywhere from inflatable and fluid-holding structures to garments. Choosing the wrong grade for the process is the most common — and most avoidable — sourcing mistake.
Unlike suppliers who ship one grade for every use, Tengyang grade-matches by end-use exposure. The films laminate as a heat sealable TPU film into waterproof breathable fabric, TPU coated fabric and 3-layer laminate constructions at 0.012–0.080 mm, and weld cleanly around 160–170 °C for medical and footwear production alike.
Outdoor Apparel & Sportswear
Soft-shells, rainwear, ski and cycling shells. Ester or high-breathability ether grades laminated in 2L / 2.5L / 3L constructions. Evidence that matters: MVTR (by method), hand feel, wash retention.
Medical & Hygiene
Dressing backing, fixation film, hygiene covers. TPU film is used in transdermal/medical film patents (WO2016069396A2). Evidence that matters: skin-contact limits, sterilization, biocompatibility — validated by the finished-product maker.
Home Textile
Waterproof mattress protectors, blackout, quilt and pillow covers. Low-breathable, anti-mite ester grades. Evidence that matters: hydrostatic head, wash durability, softness.
Footwear & Water Sports
Waterproof shoe linings, dry bags, inflatables. Ether grades for hydrolysis resistance. Evidence that matters: hydrolysis aging, seam/weld integrity, flex.
OEM / ODM SPECIFICATIONS
Sourcing Breathable TPU Membrane — MOQ, Lead Time, Customization & OEM
Our OEM/ODM programs cover adjustable thickness, roll width, melting point, colour and surface finish (clear, matte, frosted, white or tint), with or without release liner. Our aim is a repeatable roll specification you can reorder — reached through sampling and testing before committing to bulk, rather than a single guess at the required thickness.
Lower TCO
Durability, hydrolysis resistance and a PFAS-free chemical position reduce lifetime cost and compliance risk versus lower-durability coatings — even where upfront film cost is higher.
Directional, based on industry comparisons of membrane durability and PFAS compliance risk (see References). Request a grade-specific assessment for your program.
EVALUATION
RFQ Checklist
What to send for an accurate quote:
A poorly-specified inquiry invites more trial cycles and hidden cost. Selecting a breathable film by thickness alone is the biggest single cause of over-specification and rework. Send us your targets for breathable films and we’ll grade-match first time around:
- 01. Application (garment laminate, medical, hygiene, mattress, footwear, packaging)
- 02. Target MVTR and the test method (e.g. ISO 11092 / ASTM E96), plus target hydrostatic head
- 03. Peel strength, tensile, elongation, abrasion or seam-leakage requirements
- 04. Thickness, roll width, roll length, substrate, adhesive, lamination temperature & line speed
- 05. Surface appearance, quantity, and any compliance documents required
COMMERCIAL
Pricing Factors — what actually moves the number
Grade breathability level, base type (ester/ether), thickness and width, surface finish, certification documentation depth, and order volume each shift pricing. We quote against your parameters rather than posting a headline figure.
“We don’t quote an MVTR without naming the method, and we won’t spec a grade a customer hasn’t trialed on their own substrate. A membrane that passes on paper but delaminates in their laminator helps no one — sampling first is cheaper than a bulk mistake.”— Tengyang Engineering Team, Shanghai Tengyang New Materials
Certifications & Compliance for Textile-Grade TPU Membrane
Breathable membrane compliance is a document control issue, not a logo wall. Product class, certificate holder, expiry date, a verifiable number – that’s what counts, not an assertion. We link each grade to its ISO 9001 production record and, for the European customer or medical auditor, link the certificate number to the actual grade being supplied. We are happy to provide the documentation chain upon request, being specific as to what is certified and what a buyer needs to verify.
SYSTEM / FOUNDATION
ISO 9001
Quality management system
SPECIFICATIONS
OEKO-TEX® 100
Skin-contact safety — verify by label number
SPECIFICATIONS
bluesign®
Restricted-substance system (grade-specific)
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
GRS
Recycled-content chain of custody
RESTRICTION FRAMEWORK
REACH / RoHS
EU chemical restriction framework
Buyer Advisory — how to actually verify a textile certificate
An OEKO-TEX certificate is item- and class-specific, and it has a date; you can verify any claim on the label-number public lookup. Be sure to ask for the certificate number of the actual grade you’re purchasing, rather than a vague “certified” assertion. And for any waterproof laminate, request a PFAS-free DWR statement on the completed garment — the membrane and finish are different compliance concerns.
SYSTEM UTILITIES
Engineering Assessment & Specification Tools
Select the appropriate utility below to evaluate material specifications, compare membrane architectures, or construct a precise RFQ for your lamination program.
Non-porous. A breathable TPU membrane is a solid hydrophilic film with no micropores; it moves water vapor by diffusion through the polymer, which is why it is naturally windproof and why it does not clog like a microporous film can.
TPU is a non-porous, hydrophilic film that breathes by molecular diffusion. PTFE/ePTFE is a microporous fluoropolymer that breathes through tiny pores. The practical differences: TPU is non-fluorinated (PFAS-free) and does not clog; microporous films are often more breathable but carry fluorochemical supply-chain scrutiny.
Because MVTR depends entirely on the test method. The same film can read many times higher under a hot-humid method (JIS L1099 A1) than under a cooler, more realistic one (ASTM E96 B). Always compare the same method across products — a number without a method is not comparable.
It is real, within a trade-off. No membrane is infinitely both — the more waterproof it is, the harder vapor works to escape. A good TPU membrane balances the two; it does not pretend to beat physics. Buyers who over-fixate on one breathability number usually mis-spec.
Yes. With a melt range around 160–170 °C it is heat-, high-frequency- and ultrasonic-weldable, enabling weld-sealed, leak-free seams. It laminates to nylon, polyester, stretch fabric, tricot, fleece and nonwoven — confirmed by sample trial for your adhesive and line conditions.
TPU film is used in medical dressing and transdermal film structures. It supports softness, a liquid barrier and vapor management, but final medical validation, sterilization compatibility and regulatory approval belong to the finished-product manufacturer.
Still weighing options like TPU membrane vs Gore-Tex, or unsure whether a waterproof TPU membrane or a breathable TPU film fits your line? Unlike a catalog vendor, Tengyang grade-matches against your ISO test targets and substrate before you commit – because a spec that fails in your laminator is more expensive than a sample.
Talk to our engineers about your application →
