ProSoft MediCORE PUL: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Embedded Medical-Grade Barrier Fabric

What ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Is

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL is a medical-grade waterproof barrier fabric that uses CORE PUL construction — a three-layer architecture that embeds a 1 mil TPU waterproof membrane between two polyester interlock fabric layers rather than laminating the film to the surface. This embedded construction protects the waterproof barrier from abrasion and wear while providing soft, textile-like surfaces on both sides. Like all MediPUL-class fabrics, MediCORE PUL achieves ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 4 certification, passing both synthetic blood penetration resistance (ASTM F1670-B) and viral penetration resistance (ASTM F1671-B) for bloodborne pathogen protection.

Where MediCORE PUL fits: MediCORE uses embedded CORE construction rather than the surface-laminated ECO-PUL construction used by standard MediPUL. The embedded membrane means both fabric surfaces are identical — no film-side handling restrictions during manufacturing. The Absorbent variants integrate Zorb® 3D filling for fluid capture within the barrier fabric itself. Choose MediCORE when the application benefits from protected membrane construction, dual textile surfaces, or integrated absorbency. For surface-laminated Level 4 options including organic cotton bases, see ProSoft MediPUL.

The lineup includes 4 variants across 2 construction types: standard CORE and Absorbent CORE. All share Waterproof 300X Technology (rated integrity through 300+ wash cycles) and SilentFlex Technology (quiet operation). Every variant requires seam sealing tape over all sewn seams.

Made in USA by AKAS Tex. CPSIA certified for children's products. Forever Chemicals-Free verified (no PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, BPA, or phthalates).

For how MediCORE compares to ECO-PUL, standard CORE PUL, and FoodSAFE PUL, see Choosing Between ProSoft PUL Types.

The ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Lineup

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL is available in 4 variants across 2 construction types. All share Level 4 ANSI/AAMI PB70 certification, the same waterproof barrier, breathability, burst strength, and UPF 50+. They differ significantly in weight, thickness, and whether absorbent capacity is integrated.

Standard CORE — 180 GSM

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Level 4 Barrier Fabric (W-662): 180 GSM, 54"–56" width, 0.021" thickness. 100% polyester (labeling) with embedded TPU membrane. Minimal stretch and shrinkage in both directions. Soft textile surfaces on both sides with no film-side restrictions. Verified to withstand multiple daily sanitizer wipe cleanings in clinical settings.
ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Level 4 Barrier Silver Fabric (W-663): Same CORE construction as W-662 with \*\*Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment\*\* (inhibits bacteria, fungi, and algae growth for odor control). For extended-wear medical applications — incontinence underwear, overnight garments, surfaces requiring antimicrobial protection between laundering.

Absorbent CORE — 425–475 GSM

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Absorbent Level 4 Barrier Fabric (W-665): Heavy-weight (425–475 GSM), 54"–56" width, 0.067" thickness. Integrates Zorb® 3D absorbent filling within the CORE construction — moisture-wicking polyester faces with absorbent core and hidden waterproof membrane. Ready-to-absorb surfaces capture fluids immediately on contact. A complete barrier-plus-absorbency solution in a single fabric.
ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Absorbent Level 4 Barrier Silver Fabric (W-664): Same Absorbent CORE construction as W-665 with \*\*Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment\*\*. For medical applications requiring integrated fluid capture with antimicrobial odor control — surgical gowns, patient underpads, examination table covers.

Absorbent CORE is a complete functional fabric: Unlike standard CORE variants that serve as a barrier layer within multi-layer constructions, the Absorbent CORE variants combine waterproof barrier, absorbent capture, and wicking surfaces into a single 0.067" fabric. This can eliminate the need for separate absorbent and barrier layers in medical underpad and drape construction.

All measurements are subject to ±10% manufacturing tolerance. Your results may vary between production runs.
For CORE vs. ECO-PUL construction decisions, see ProSoft PUL Construction Decisions.

## Choosing Your ProSoft MediCORE® PUL **ProSoft MediCORE® PUL** variant selection involves two decisions — all four variants share identical Level 4 barrier certification.

Construction & Antimicrobial Decisions

Do you need integrated absorbency?
The Absorbent CORE variants (W-665, W-664) capture and retain fluids within the fabric structure through integrated Zorb® 3D filling — eliminating separate absorbent layers in underpad and drape construction. At 425–475 GSM and 0.067" thickness, these are substantially heavier than the standard 180 GSM CORE variants. Choose Absorbent when the application requires fluid capture alongside waterproof barrier. Choose Standard when the MediCORE serves purely as a waterproof layer within a multi-layer system you construct yourself.

Do you need antimicrobial odor control?
Silver Plus variants (W-663, W-664) add bacterial inhibition for extended-wear applications. Choose Silver for incontinence underwear, overnight garments, and surfaces used between wash cycles. If products are washed after each use, standard variants perform identically on barrier protection.

Note that Standard CORE variants (180 GSM) are not cost-effective for consumer sewing projects that don't require Level 4 medical certification — standard CORE PUL without medical testing provides the same embedded-membrane construction at lower cost.

Working With ProSoft MediCORE® PUL

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL benefits from the CORE construction advantage: both fabric surfaces are identical textile, so there are no film-side orientation concerns during sewing. However, the embedded membrane still requires seam sealing and proper needle selection to maintain waterproof integrity.

Machine Setup & Sewing Techniques

Presser foot: Teflon/glide foot or walking foot recommended — though CORE construction is less sticky than surface-laminated PUL, the foot prevents shifting during multi-layer sewing. The Absorbent variants (425–475 GSM) require walking foot and appropriate machine capacity for thick material.
Needles: Use ballpoint/jersey needles. Sizes 70/10–90/14 for Standard CORE; 90/14 for Absorbent CORE's heavier weight. Sharp needles slice knit fibers and enlarge holes.
Thread: Use quality polyester thread (Tex-27 or 65/2 grade). Cotton and rayon threads wick moisture.
Stitch length: 3.0–3.5 mm balances seam strength with minimal membrane perforation.
Orientation: Both surfaces identical — no wrong side. Pin only within seam allowances to preserve barrier integrity.

Seam Sealing Heat-activated seam sealing tape or enclosed construction methods are required on all sewn seams. Even with the embedded membrane, needle holes penetrate through the waterproof layer and must be sealed. Apply tape with warm iron — the CORE construction tolerates ironing on either surface since both are textile.

Critical: Embedded membrane construction does not eliminate the seam sealing requirement. Every needle hole through the fabric penetrates the hidden waterproof layer. Seal all sewn seams with heat-activated tape or use enclosed construction where seams never contact fluids.

No pre-washing is required for Standard CORE variants. Do not pre-wash Absorbent CORE variants — they ship engineered ready-to-use, and washing may affect integrated absorbent performance before construction. Manufacturing odor dissipates after a wash-dry cycle or 24–48 hours of airing.

Pairing ProSoft MediCORE® PUL With Other Fabrics

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Standard variants serve as the waterproof barrier layer in multi-layer medical constructions. The Absorbent variants function as complete barrier-plus-absorbency solutions requiring minimal additional layering.

Partners for Standard CORE (W-662, W-663)

Zorb® Original: Absorbent core for rapid fluid capture, positioned between patient-facing surface and MediCORE barrier. See Zorb® Original: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Foundation Absorbent Fabric.
Zorb® 3D Stay Dry: Stay-dry absorbent for direct skin contact. See Zorb® 3D Stay Dry Dimple: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Premium Stay-Dry Absorbent Fabric.
ProCool® Performance Interlock: Moisture-wicking skin-contact surface layer. See ProCool® Performance Interlock: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Versatile Moisture-Wicking Fabric.
Cotton flannel: Patient-facing surface for hospice bed pads and institutional underpads.

Construction Notes for Absorbent CORE (W-664, W-665) The Absorbent variants integrate Zorb® 3D absorbent filling, waterproof membrane, and wicking surfaces into a single fabric. For basic medical underpads and examination table covers, the Absorbent CORE can serve as the complete functional layer — no additional absorbent or barrier fabrics required. For enhanced surface comfort or branding, add a cotton flannel or ProCool® surface layer over the Absorbent CORE.

Proven Layer Stacks

Medical underpad (Standard CORE): Cotton flannel surface → Zorb® absorbent core → ProSoft MediCORE PUL (W-662 or Silver W-663) as embedded waterproof barrier.
Medical underpad (Absorbent CORE): ProSoft MediCORE PUL Absorbent (W-665 or Silver W-664) as single complete functional layer — or with optional cotton flannel surface for added patient comfort.
Dental headrest cover: ProSoft MediCORE PUL (W-662) as a single-layer cover — textile surfaces both sides, Level 4 barrier, verified to withstand multiple daily sanitizer wipe cleanings.
Incontinence undergarment: Garment shell → ProSoft MediCORE PUL Silver (W-663) as hidden waterproof barrier with antimicrobial odor control.

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Applications

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL is validated across medical, institutional, and specialty applications. The embedded CORE construction and Level 4 certification make these variants particularly suited for healthcare environments requiring intensive daily use and chemical sanitization.

Surgical and isolation gowns use Level 4 certification for documented bloodborne pathogen protection. The dual textile surfaces and soft drape provide comfort during extended procedures without the stiffness of vinyl barriers.

Patient care products include medical underpads, examination table covers, mattress protectors, and dental office headrest covers. Dental headrest applications are particularly well-suited to CORE construction — the fabric withstands multiple daily sanitizer wipe cleanings while maintaining barrier integrity, a requirement that degrades inferior materials.

Incontinence products include underwear and reusable underpads for institutional settings. Silver Plus variants provide antimicrobial odor control for extended-wear garments. The Absorbent CORE variants simplify underpad construction by eliminating separate absorbent layers.

Disposable replacement represents a key economic driver — at 300+ wash cycles, MediCORE PUL provides 3–6x the lifespan of standard 50–100 cycle PUL, reducing per-use costs for healthcare facilities replacing disposable vinyl-backed underpads and single-use barriers.

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Certifications & Safety

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL holds medical-grade barrier certifications alongside standard safety verifications across all 4 variants.

Medical Barrier Certifications

ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 4: Highest barrier protection standard for surgical gowns.
ASTM F1670-B: Passes synthetic blood penetration resistance testing.
ASTM F1671-B: Passes viral penetration resistance testing for bloodborne pathogen protection.

Safety & Chemical-Free Certifications

CPSIA Certified: Meets Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act requirements.
California Proposition 65 Compliant: Meets California's safe harbor levels.
16 CFR Part 1611 CS 192-53: Meets federal flammability standards.
EU REACH SVHC Compliant and EU RoHS 10 Compliant.
Forever Chemicals-Free: Verified free of PTFE, PFAS, PFOS, PFOA.
BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Lead-Free, Nanoparticle-Free.
UPF 50+: Blocks 98% UV radiation.
pH Neutral: Confirmed no acidic or alkaline residues per independent lab testing.
Hypoallergenic: Latex-free, vegan construction.

Fabric vs. Finished Product: These certifications apply to the ProSoft MediCORE PUL fabric as manufactured and sold by Wazoodle. Finished medical products may require separate testing, certification, and regulatory approval depending on your jurisdiction and intended clinical use.

For what these certifications mean, see Understanding Wazoodle Fabric Certifications & Safety Standards.

Caring for ProSoft MediCORE® PUL

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL maintains its rated 300+ wash cycle performance under commercial healthcare laundering protocols.

Washing

Hot water is safe up to 165°F (75°C) for medical sanitation. Compatible with medical disinfectants. Use zero-residue liquid detergent with an extra rinse cycle. Non-chlorine oxygen bleach is acceptable sparingly.

Drying

Medium heat only — never exceed 130°F (50°C). High heat damages the embedded TPU membrane.

Avoid completely

Fabric softeners (permanently destroy waterproofing, breathability, and antimicrobial function), chlorine bleach (causes degradation), vinegar and baking soda (accelerate delamination), dryer sheets.

Absorbent CORE note

The Absorbent variants require the same care protocols, but medium temperature washing is recommended over hot to preserve both the laminate bond and the integrated absorbent fibers.

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL Technical Specifications

ProSoft MediCORE® PUL variants diverge significantly between Standard and Absorbent construction types.

Specification	Standard CORE (W-662, W-663)	Absorbent CORE (W-664, W-665)
Weight	180 GSM / 5.3 oz/sq yd	425–475 GSM / 12.5–14.0 oz/sq yd
Thickness	0.021" ± 10%	0.067" ± 10%
Fiber Composition	100% polyester (labeling)	100% polyester (labeling)
Width	54"–56"	54"–56"
Stretch	Minimal	Minimal
Shrinkage	Minimal	Minimal
Absorbent Core	None	Zorb® 3D integrated

All variants: CORE PUL three-layer construction, 225 psi hydrostatic pressure (~158,000 mm), 850 g/m²/24h MVTR breathability, 152 psi burst strength, Level 4 ANSI/AAMI PB70, 300+ wash cycles, UPF 50+, pH 7.4 neutral, coefficient of friction 0.26–1.9, color fastness 4.5, nil skewness after washing. All measurements ±10% manufacturing tolerance. ASTM test methods: MVTR per ASTM E 96, hydrostatic pressure per ASTM D 751, burst strength per ASTM D3786, barrier testing per ASTM F1670-B and F1671-B.