W. L. Gore & Associates has built world-class fabric testing facilities, achieving 40 years of excellence through outstanding innovations in comfort and protection.
Gore is well-known in the industry for its scientifically rigorous product development and quality control systems. The Gore laboratories have set up stringent quality testing systems to ensure that its products achieve optimal performance in all end uses (Fit For Use). To further elevate the standards of its product quality testing systems, the company has established new biophysical and thermal/fire-resistant laboratories. The new laboratory facilities enable Gore engineers to test all outer fabrics, accessories, and GORE-TEX ...
The brand-new facilities in the laboratory help W. L. Gore & Associates further enhance their capabilities, enabling the development of fabrics with unique functionalities and innovative elements, while ensuring performance in end-use applications before the products go to market.
OwlEnvironmental LaboratoryCapable of perfectly simulating 85%-95% of the Earth’s surface environments, helping W. L. Gore & Associates evaluate product performance under specific conditions and collect quantitative data on protection and comfort.
OwlNew Thermal & Flame LaboratoryHelps W. L. Gore & Associates accurately test and analyze the fire and heat resistance of products, thereby delivering the three key elements of flame protection: flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and thermal stability.
Paul Canatella, Technical Leader of W. L. Gore & Associates’ Textile Division, noted: “W. L. Gore & Associates’ new laboratory 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 creating realistic environmental conditions in the lab, we can scientifically test and analyze both user perception and product performance in a controlled setting, allowing us to quickly apply relevant data to product R&D.”
As early as 40 years ago, W. L. Gore & Associates’ Textile Division developed the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX.
The brand-new facilities in the laboratory help W. L. Gore & Associates further enhance their capabilities, enabling the development of fabrics with unique functionalities and innovative elements, while ensuring performance in end-use applications before the products go to market.
OwlEnvironmental LaboratoryCapable of perfectly simulating 85%-95% of the Earth’s surface environments, helping W. L. Gore & Associates evaluate product performance under specific conditions and collect quantitative data on protection and comfort.
OwlNew Thermal & Flame LaboratoryHelps W. L. Gore & Associates accurately test and analyze the fire and heat resistance of products, thereby delivering the three key elements of flame protection: flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and thermal stability.
Paul Canatella, Technical Leader of W. L. Gore & Associates’ Textile Division, noted: “W. L. Gore & Associates’ new laboratory 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 creating realistic environmental conditions in the lab, we can scientifically test and analyze both user perception and product performance in a controlled setting, allowing us to quickly apply relevant data to product R&D.”
As early as 40 years ago, W. L. Gore & Associates’ Textile Division developed the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX.
At Gore, extensive testing can be conducted in the new biophysical laboratory to predict the effects of clothing, activities, and environments on the human body. The cutting-edge facilities not only evaluate performance, protection, breathability, and comfort as perceived by the end user, but also recreate a wide range of environmental conditions — including temperature regulation from -50 to +50°C, relative humidity from 5% to 98%, wind speeds from 0 to 10 m/s, and various rainfall scenarios (with water and air temperatures between 5–25°C, rainfall intensity of 0–76 mm/hour, and wind speeds from 0 to 5 m/s). The data and analysis collected during testing are crucial for understanding the potential impact of different environmental conditions on the end user, including effects such as high heat, solar radiation, cold, rain, and strong winds. This is achieved through benchtop testing, manikins equipped with sensors, and human testing in environmental chambers.
The biophysical laboratory mainly includes:
N/AEnvironmental Laboratory:Simulates extreme environmental conditions, such as the freezing temperatures on Mount Everest, the scorching 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), we can replicate a variety of natural conditions.
N/ARain & Wind Chamber:Simulates realistic rainfall scenarios, whether it’s the persistent drizzle of Scotland or the intense downpours of the Pacific Northwest in the U.S., including up to 2 inches of rainfall per hour, water and air temperatures ranging from 5° to 25°C, and wind speeds of up to 5 miles per second. This is essential for testing waterproofness and comfort under wet and windy conditions, including how external water accumulation on clothing affects a user’s thermal comfort and whether it adds weight.
The biophysical laboratory mainly includes:
N/AEnvironmental Laboratory:Simulates extreme environmental conditions, such as the freezing temperatures on Mount Everest, the scorching 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), we can replicate a variety of natural conditions.
N/ARain & Wind Chamber:Simulates realistic rainfall scenarios, whether it’s the persistent drizzle of Scotland or the intense downpours of the Pacific Northwest in the U.S., including up to 2 inches of rainfall per hour, water and air temperatures ranging from 5° to 25°C, and wind speeds of up to 5 miles per second. This is essential for testing waterproofness and comfort under wet and windy conditions, including how external water accumulation on clothing affects a user’s thermal comfort and whether it adds weight.
In addition to comfort, heat and flame protection are also tested in Gore’s new thermal and flame protection laboratory. To maximize the functional effectiveness of the end user when facing various high-temperature and flame threats, Gore has specifically analyzed thermal insulation, thermal stability, and the “self-extinguishing” flame-resistant properties of materials.
