Silicone Waterproof Breathable Fabric for Swimwear — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Silicone Waterproof Breathable Fabric for Swimwear: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Silicone Waterproof Breathable Fabric is the version buyers specify for swimwear when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
Silicone gives waterproof breathable fabric its drape and hand feel. In practice that means the fabric behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: plating and coating adhesion must be tested on the actual base. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.
Typical specification
| Item | Waterproof Breathable Fabric |
|---|---|
| Base material | Silicone |
| Standard size | 140 gsm |
| Common finishes | Black Nickel Finish, Sandblasted Finish, Powder Coating |
| Processes | Mercerising, Weft Knitting, Sublimation Printing |
| Typical application | Swimwear |
| Related applications | Sportswear, Jeans, Sleepwear, Evening Wear |
| Test standard | GB 18401 |
| Usual packing | 100 pieces per polybag, 5000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 2% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to GB 18401 on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — elastic recovery after 10 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — GB 18401 documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Scarves
- Outdoor Tents
- Underwear
- Dresses
- Baby Clothing
- Home Curtains
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover heat transfer label, reverse coil zipper, hem tape, snap hook, and the processes most often paired with waterproof breathable fabric include enzyme washing, flame retardant finishing, sanforising.
If you are comparing suppliers, send us the spec they quoted against. We will quote the same spec and show you where the difference sits.
