W. L. Gore & Associates has created world-class fabric testing facilities, with outstanding innovation in comfort and protection achieving 40 years of excellence
Gore is widely recognized in the industry for its scientifically rigorous product development and quality control systems. Gore’s laboratories have set up stringent quality testing protocols to ensure that their products offer the best possible performance (Fit For Use) in all end-use scenarios. To further elevate the standards of its product testing system, the company has established new biophysical and thermal/fire protection laboratories. These new lab facilities enable Gore engineers to test all outer fabrics, accessories, GORE-TEX® laminates, and GORE-TEX® garments/shoes under new conditions.
The new lab facilities help Gore enhance its capabilities to develop fabrics with unique functionalities and innovative elements, ensuring end-use performance before products reach the market.
?Environmental LaboratoryIt can perfectly simulate 85%-95% of the Earth’s surface environments, helping Gore evaluate product performance under specific conditions and collect quantitative data on protection and comfort;
?New Thermal/Fire Protection LaboratoryEnables Gore to precisely test and analyze the fire and heat resistance of its products, thereby delivering three key elements of flame protection: flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and thermal stability.
Paul Canatella, Technical Leader of Gore’s Textile Division, said: “Gore’s new lab facilities can simulate environments ranging from the most common to the most extreme, including the cold, wet rain of Scotland and the scorching wildfires of California. By recreating realistic environmental conditions in the lab, we can scientifically test and analyze how people perceive our products and how the products perform, allowing us to quickly apply relevant data to product development.”
As early as 40 years ago, Gore’s Textile Division developed the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric technology, bringing unparalleled outdoor comfort to the entire outdoor industry. As a leading innovator in the high-performance apparel industry, Gore has extensive experience and expertise, and has achieved a series of major breakthroughs in the field, such as GORE-SEAM® tape sealing technology, waterproof breathable footwear (GORE-TEX® Bootie), addressing heat stress in the firefighting industry through GORE-TEX® Moisture Barrier technology, and providing effective protection for soldiers with GORE-TEX® Combat gear and flame-retardant GORE-TEX® PYRAD® technology, covering an extremely wide range of areas.
The new lab facilities help Gore enhance its capabilities to develop fabrics with unique functionalities and innovative elements, ensuring end-use performance before products reach the market.
?Environmental LaboratoryIt can perfectly simulate 85%-95% of the Earth’s surface environments, helping Gore evaluate product performance under specific conditions and collect quantitative data on protection and comfort;
?New Thermal/Fire Protection LaboratoryEnables Gore to precisely test and analyze the fire and heat resistance of its products, thereby delivering three key elements of flame protection: flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and thermal stability.
Paul Canatella, Technical Leader of Gore’s Textile Division, said: “Gore’s new lab facilities can simulate environments ranging from the most common to the most extreme, including the cold, wet rain of Scotland and the scorching wildfires of California. By recreating realistic environmental conditions in the lab, we can scientifically test and analyze how people perceive our products and how the products perform, allowing us to quickly apply relevant data to product development.”
As early as 40 years ago, Gore’s Textile Division developed the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric technology, bringing unparalleled outdoor comfort to the entire outdoor industry. As a leading innovator in the high-performance apparel industry, Gore has extensive experience and expertise, and has achieved a series of major breakthroughs in the field, such as GORE-SEAM® tape sealing technology, waterproof breathable footwear (GORE-TEX® Bootie), addressing heat stress in the firefighting industry through GORE-TEX® Moisture Barrier technology, and providing effective protection for soldiers with GORE-TEX® Combat gear and flame-retardant GORE-TEX® PYRAD® technology, covering an extremely wide range of areas.
Gore can conduct numerous tests in the new biophysical laboratory to predict the effects of clothing, activity, and environment on the human body. The cutting-edge facilities not only test the performance, protection, breathability, and comfort experienced by end users, but also recreate a variety of rich environmental conditions, including temperature regulation from -50 to +50°C, relative humidity from 5% to 98%, wind speeds from 0–10 m/s, and various rainfall conditions (water and air temperatures from 5–25°C, rainfall rates from 0–76 mm/hour, and wind speeds from 0–5 m/s). Data and analysis collected during testing are crucial for understanding the potential impact of different environmental conditions on end users, specifically including the effects of high temperatures, solar radiation, cold, rain, and wind. The impact can be analyzed through benchtop testing, humanoid models equipped with sensors, and human testing in environmental chambers.
The biophysical laboratory mainly includes:
?Environmental Laboratory:Simulates extreme environmental conditions, including the freezing temperatures atop Mount Everest, the blazing sun of Death Valley, and the humidity of the Amazon rainforest. By precisely controlling temperature (-50°C to +50°C), relative humidity (5%–98%), wind speed (0–10 m/s), and natural solar radiation throughout a full day from sunrise to sunset (0–1100 W/m²), it creates a wide variety of natural conditions;
?Rain Room:Simulates realistic rainfall scenarios, from the drizzle of Scotland to the downpours of the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It can simulate rainfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour, water and air temperatures between 5° and 25°C, and wind speeds up to 5 miles per second. This is crucial for testing waterproofness and comfort under rainy and windy conditions, including the impact of water accumulation on clothing on the user’s sense of warmth and whether it adds weight.
The biophysical laboratory mainly includes:
?Environmental Laboratory:Simulates extreme environmental conditions, including the freezing temperatures atop Mount Everest, the blazing sun of Death Valley, and the humidity of the Amazon rainforest. By precisely controlling temperature (-50°C to +50°C), relative humidity (5%–98%), wind speed (0–10 m/s), and natural solar radiation throughout a full day from sunrise to sunset (0–1100 W/m²), it creates a wide variety of natural conditions;
?Rain Room:Simulates realistic rainfall scenarios, from the drizzle of Scotland to the downpours of the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It can simulate rainfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour, water and air temperatures between 5° and 25°C, and wind speeds up to 5 miles per second. This is crucial for testing waterproofness and comfort under rainy and windy conditions, including the impact of water accumulation on clothing on the user’s sense of warmth and whether it adds weight.
In addition to comfort, thermal and fire protection are also tested in Gore’s new thermal/fire protection laboratory. To maximize the functional effectiveness of end users facing various high-temperature and flame threats, Gore specially analyzed insulation and thermal stability, as well as materials’ self-extinguishing flammability resistance.
The main functions of the thermal/fire protection laboratory include:
• Cone Calorimeter: Helps Gore engineers test the heat release characteristics of garment fabrics, one of the most important measurement parameters in developing thermal/fire protective garments. It can also measure the amount of smoke produced when related products catch fire;
• Heat Storage Tester: Analyzes combustion time in low heat flow environments, specifically for scenarios where firefighters sweat near fire scenes. This test provides very useful supplementary information to understand the weakening of protection during flashover situations—that is, when an entire room or area is suddenly engulfed in flames from floor to ceiling;
• Pyrolysis Combustion Flow Calorimeter (PCFC)/Microscale Combustion Calorimeter (MCC): Helps Gore quickly qualify the heat release and char-forming properties of raw materials used in its products.
Kip Sturgill, Global Technical Leader in Gore’s Protective Textiles Business, said: “The advanced capabilities of the thermal/fire protection laboratory allow us to quickly evaluate material performance and rapidly gain insights into new technologies, enabling us to better improve our products and provide superior protection for those who serve and protect the public.”
40 Years of Innovation
Gore’s fabric products offer comfort and protection that consumers trust time and again, helping them handle a wide range of applications and extreme conditions. Golfers wearing Gore products can finish 18 holes on wet grass while keeping their feet dry and comfortable; hikers can fully enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about the weather; mountaineers can focus on reaching summits, confident that their GORE-TEX® gear will deliver on its promise of waterproofing and windproofing. In addition, Gore provides highly robust technical product portfolios that help firefighters avoid the dangers of heat stress and ensure that police officers and soldiers can stay focused on their missions, knowing they are protected by Gore products.
About Gore’s Textile Division
Forty years ago, Gore’s Textile Division revolutionized the outdoor apparel industry with its waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric and remains a pioneer in the high-performance apparel field. GORE® fabric products deliver unmatched comfort and protection, whether in harsh environments or daily life, ensuring wearers can experience more exciting adventures safely and confidently. Whether hiking in heavy rain or executing military and firefighting missions, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs brings meaningful performance advantages to product development. Visit www.gore-tex.com.cn to learn more.
Gore’s fabric products offer comfort and protection that consumers trust time and again, helping them handle a wide range of applications and extreme conditions. Golfers wearing Gore products can finish 18 holes on wet grass while keeping their feet dry and comfortable; hikers can fully enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about the weather; mountaineers can focus on reaching summits, confident that their GORE-TEX® gear will deliver on its promise of waterproofing and windproofing. In addition, Gore provides highly robust technical product portfolios that help firefighters avoid the dangers of heat stress and ensure that police officers and soldiers can stay focused on their missions, knowing they are protected by Gore products.
About Gore’s Textile Division
Forty years ago, Gore’s Textile Division revolutionized the outdoor apparel industry with its waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric and remains a pioneer in the high-performance apparel field. GORE® fabric products deliver unmatched comfort and protection, whether in harsh environments or daily life, ensuring wearers can experience more exciting adventures safely and confidently. Whether hiking in heavy rain or executing military and firefighting missions, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs brings meaningful performance advantages to product development. Visit www.gore-tex.com.cn to learn more.
About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Gore is a technology-driven company focused on research and product innovation. Known globally for its waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric, Gore’s product portfolio includes high-performance fabrics, implantable medical devices, industrial manufacturing components, and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates worldwide. Since the inception of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in the U.S. in 1984, Gore has been one of the few companies consistently ranked on the list. It also frequently appears on similar global rankings. For more information, visit: www.gore-tex.com.cn.
Gore is a technology-driven company focused on research and product innovation. Known globally for its waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric, Gore’s product portfolio includes high-performance fabrics, implantable medical devices, industrial manufacturing components, and aerospace electronics. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore employs more than 10,000 associates worldwide. Since the inception of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in the U.S. in 1984, Gore has been one of the few companies consistently ranked on the list. It also frequently appears on similar global rankings. For more information, visit: www.gore-tex.com.cn.