Glossary term
Seam sealing
The post-sewing process of restoring waterproof barrier performance at seams, usually by applying seam tape.
Definition
Seam sealing is the step in waterproof garment construction that follows stitching. The goal is to prevent water ingress through the holes punched by the sewing needle.
The most common method is heat-activated seam tape applied with a hot-air tape machine. Ultrasonic sealing and liquid seam sealant are used on specific constructions.
Why it matters to DSEAMS
DSEAMS' approach is not to seal seams — it's to eliminate the need for sealing in the first place, through inline lamination and Adhesive Encapsulation.
Related terms
- Seam tapeA thin, heat-activated laminate strip bonded over sewn seams to restore the waterproof barrier lost to stitching.
- Bonded seamA seam produced by adhesively joining two fabric surfaces without sewing — eliminating needle punctures through the membrane.
- Hydrostatic headA laboratory measure of how much water pressure a waterproof fabric can hold back before leaking through, expressed in millimetres of water column.
DSEAMS technologies