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billekrub said..
Remember the waterproof housings on dive cameras, that use rubber ring gaskets. Divers rinse, disassemble, clean, lubricate and reinstall daily, if not after every dive. Of course they sustain greater water pressure. The water around the gasket dries, leaving NACL crystals which form in the seams, making the gaskets uneven. Then they leak. Why wouldn't the salt also clog the Goretex over time?
Rinsing often with fresh water can make a big difference--no salt water, fewer crystals.
Even a vent plug with O-ring could use cleaning.
Dive housings flood because of dust and other micro-particulate - not because of salt crystals.
You are comparing PTFE with 10-micron holes, vs silicon rubber pressing against a flat surface..... completely different.
Salt crystals will be abrasive against the micro-porous surface, [ speculating ...? ] make it ineffective over time.