Protective laminates

Abstract

Protective laminates are provided that include (a) a layer that is breathable and highly impermeable to chemicals to a degree that is subject to reduction upon flexing of the highly impermeable layer alone; and (b) a breathable non-textile layer attached to the highly impermeable layer, the non-textile layer mitigating the reduction in the impermeability of the highly impermeable layer if the laminate is flexed. The laminates may, for example, be attached to textiles and used in protective fabrics.

1 . A protective laminate comprising
 a layer that is breathable, and highly impermeable to chemicals to a degree that is subject to reduction upon flexing of the highly impermeable layer alone; and   a breathable hydrophilic non-textile layer attached to the highly impermeable layer, the non-textile layer mitigating the reduction in the impermeability of the highly impermeable layer if the laminate is flexed.   
     
     
         2 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  further comprising a second non-textile layer, wherein the highly impermeable layer is interposed between the non-textile layers. 
     
     
         3 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  further comprising a second highly impermeable layer, wherein the non-textile layer is interposed between the highly impermeable layers. 
     
     
         4 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  further comprising a textile layer attached to the highly impermeable layer. 
     
     
         5 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  further comprising a textile layer attached to the non-textile layer. 
     
     
         6 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the highly impermeable layer comprises a fluorinated ion exchange polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the non-textile layer comprises an elastomeric polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the non-textile layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, copolyester, polyether block amide, polyamide-elastomer alloy, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the non-textile layer comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         10 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the protective laminate has a MVT of at least 2000. 
     
     
         11 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the highly impermeable layer is microporous. 
     
     
         12 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the highly impermeable layer is monolithic. 
     
     
         13 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the non-textile layer is microporous. 
     
     
         14 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the non-textile layer is monolithic. 
     
     
         15 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the highly impermeable layer has a thickness of about 1 to 100 μm. 
     
     
         16 . The protective laminate of  claim 1  wherein the non-textile layer has a thickness of about 1 to 50 μm. 
     
     
         17 - 67 . (canceled)