Raincoat materials in polymer engineering:\nWhich material is most commonly used for manufacturing conventional raincoats and rainwear fabrics?

Introduction / Context:
Rainwear requires water-impermeable yet flexible films or coatings applied to fabrics. Several polymers can provide waterproofing, but market prevalence and cost often determine the mainstream choice for mass rainwear.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is inexpensive and easily plasticised into flexible films/coatings.
• Other elastomers are used in specialty gear but at higher cost or with different feel.

Concept / Approach:
Conventional raincoats, ponchos, and low-cost waterproof garments are frequently PVC-coated or PVC-film based, using plasticisers to achieve softness at room temperature. Polyurethane coatings are common in higher-performance rainwear, and neoprene or silicone rubbers appear in specialty applications, but the textbook/MCQ “most common” answer remains PVC for general rainwear.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Textile finishing references and commodity film market data consistently show PVC dominating low-cost rainwear and protective clothing segments.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Neoprene/silicone rubber: used for wetsuits or specialty garments, not the commodity raincoat segment.
• Polyurethane: widely used but typically cited for performance gear; MCQ convention prefers PVC as the generic answer.
• SBR: uncommon as a raincoat coating polymer.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “best performance” equals “most common”; cost and manufacturability drive mass usage.

Final Answer:
PVC