Gore-Tex materials are based of thermo-mechanically expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Which creates it to be waterproof and a breathable fabric. The porous form has a micro-structure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils. Because of this, it is considered to be a waterproof laminate.
Gore-Tex can be used in a wide variety. It is considered to be a high performance material. It can be used for gaskets, sealants, insulation for wires and cables, filter media, medical implants and fabric for garments. The most common use of Gore-Tex is in high performance wear, i.e; running shoes, jackets, pants, gloves...etc. It is highly water resistance with awesome breathability.
A simple rain wear structure is a two layer sandwich. The outer layer is either nylon or polyester to provide strength. The inner layer is polyurethane for water resistance and breathability.
It's such an amazing material that it can also be used as a membrane or patch for the human body in surgery. The body commonly doesn't reject this material that is why it is often used in major surgery. It is also popular to use because of it's high breathability. Gore-Tex has high tensile strength and is not easily bio-degradable. Because of the long lasting duration of Gore-Tex, you can also see it being used as sutures and artificial chords. In this attached Youtube video clip provided by Bassam F. Akasheh MD, you will see a Rhumatic Mitral Valve Repair by using a Gore-Tex Chord.
