Vapor-impermeable

Vapor-impermeable describes a material or substance that prevents or significantly restricts the passage of water vapor through it. This characteristic is crucial in various applications, from construction to protective clothing, where controlling moisture transfer is essential. The effectiveness of a vapor-impermeable barrier depends on the material's density, structure, and the presence of any inherent microscopic pathways that might allow vapor penetration. This property is often expressed as a vapor permeability rating.

Vapor-impermeable meaning with examples

• Construction workers wore vapor-impermeable suits to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals during the demolition of the old factory. The suits were specially designed to prevent any chemical vapors from entering the worker's clothing and to seal the body from dangerous elements of the site, ensuring they maintained a safe working environment, without the chemicals damaging their skin.
• The astronaut's spacesuit utilized a vapor-impermeable layer to maintain a controlled internal environment and to prevent the escape of life-sustaining gases into the vacuum of space. This design included multiple layers of protection, but the vapor-impermeable layer was one of the most important, securing the astronauts from the effects of the vacuum of space.
• In food packaging, a vapor-impermeable film is used to prevent moisture loss and maintain the freshness and shelf life of the product. This barrier prevents external moisture from entering the package too, making the product less susceptible to spoilage during transportation.
• Medical applications require vapor-impermeable surgical drapes to maintain a sterile environment during procedures. These drapes create a critical barrier, and with the vapor-impermeable element, prevent any external contaminants or moisture from compromising the surgery, and therefore ensuring the best outcomes.
• The tent's rainfly was made of a vapor-impermeable fabric to prevent condensation buildup inside the tent and to keep the occupants dry during inclement weather. The vapor-impermeable quality ensured that the occupants were able to enjoy the outdoors, no matter the weather, by keeping the elements out.