Announcement: Prototype PE UQs

[Terry_Dodson]

Breathable was probably the wrong word that i was looking for. I thought that the PE might be fairly suseptable to tearing, was thinking that if you used a light spray of adhesive on both sides of the tyvek and glued the PE to both sides that you would have a Tyvek sandwhich with PE on the outside. I was thinking that since Tyvek is breathable that it possibly could give the seperation air space between the 2 sheets of PE and still be strong enough that you could sew the pleats and not worry about then ripping thru the PE and still get good insulation.

[MacEntyre]

Terry, that makes good sense! However, the PE foam might not last long uncovered.

In large part, I have done what you suggested, but I use PEF in the middle, between the PEF layers, and I covered it. The result is the 8.5 oz 3/4 PEF UQ pictured in this post.

[TOB9595]

Good on you Mac!
The evolution continues in VERY capable hands
Lookin to see the results we all expect to see.
Tom

[amac]

What size do these pack down to?

[MacEntyre]

What size do these pack down to?

They are essentially the same as Insultex when packed. According to TeeDee, IX packs to the same or slightly less volume as equivalent down.

[MacEntyre]

Last week I started making a two layer material from PE foam. Basically, the 1/32" PE foam is cut into two inch strips, basket-woven into a piece about 50"x60". This woven PE foam will be breathable, two layers thick, with inherent loft.

I'll post more about it later!

[dejoha]

Last week I started making a two layer material from PE foam. Basically, the 1/32" PE foam is cut into two inch strips, basket-woven into a piece about 50"x60". This woven PE foam will be breathable, two layers thick, with inherent loft.

That sounds innovative! I can't wait to see this unfold. I'm imagining this will add to the production cost.

[MacEntyre]

...this will add to the production cost.

Certainly, it will take time to weave. But it may be well worth it.

It may preclude the need to dart the insulation, if the weave is flexible enough to take a shape.

[pedro]

This looks like it has great potential. Way to go Mac!

[kykcamper]

The weave is an interesting idea, but it seems like it would really test the limits of the PEF. It would be difficult to protect the thin strips from stretching or tearing if weight is applied directly to the woven strips. Perhaps that wouldn't be as large or a problem as I think it could be. I'm not very familiar with the materials you are referring to.