Coated Fabric

Coated fabric is a flexible composite material formed by applying coating agents to either one side or both sides of the fabric for additional property to the fabric. After the coating, coated fabric is oven cured creating an interphase between them. Interphase is a mixture formed when the coating agent penetrates into the fabric substate. The final product after coating and interphasing is solid and flexible. The surface can be finished with a specific texture such as leather, or it is left smooth with no texture at all. It is sometimes also embossed in imitation of leather. PVC coated fabric is most common of all along with coated nylon fabric among the category of coating fabrics.
Coated fabrics include both woven as well as non woven fabric and differ with the material and type of coated product. Also the industry in which it is to be used defines the type of coated fabric. Coated fabric is used in HVAC applications, for chemical processing, as geotextile, in aerospace and automotive industry. Also coated fabric is used in cleaning applications, in construction and reinforcement, carpeting, home furnishing and clothing. Coated fabric is stronger than uncoated fabric and has good stability of viscosity.

Coated Fabric By Material

Coating on the fabric differs in material and so does the coated fabric. Synthetic polymer, polyester, acetate and triacetate, olefin and polyolefin, nylon and polyamide, aramid, elastomeric, PVC etc are used to make coating fabric. Coated fabric are made either from natural fibers or synthetic fibers. The natural fibers include silk, jute, linen, wool hemp and cotton whereas in the category of synthetic fibers comes the S-glass, E-glass, fiberglass and glass.Therefore coated fabric by material can be:

• PVC Coated Fabric
• PTFE coated fabric
• Teflon coated fabric
• Silicone coated fabric
• Polyurethane coated fabric
• Nylon coated fabric/coated nylon fabric
• Coated vinyl fabric
• Technical coated fabrics
• Rubber coated fabric
• LDPE Coated Fabrics
• Urethane coated fabrics
• Vinyl coated fabrics

Silicon Coated Fabric

The silicon coated fabric resist acid, mild alkali, air, moisture, most of salts and mineral lubricating oil attack. Also this silicon coated fabric is resistant towards flex and abrasion. Under rough conditions silicon coated fabrics can be very good electrical insulators.

PTFE Coated Fabric

PTFE coated fabric is used in various industrial applications because of its heat resistance property It can withstand temperature ranging from -100° to +550°F (-73° to 288°C). This coated fabric is made up of fiberglass that is coated with PTFE. These are also called Teflon coated fabrics (Polytetrafluorethylene (Teflon). These have non sticky surface which is very easy to clean and are non toxic.

Polyurethane Coated Fabrics

Polyurethane coated fabrics are water resistant like PVC coated fabrics. These are used in ten making and as tarpaulins. You can get varied color, dimensions and thickness in this category of coated fabrics. PVC coated fabrics and polyurethane coated fabrics are also used as vehicle covers, as geo textiles, in printing material and as mesh making. Shelter from rain, wind, sunlight is provided by these resistant and strong coated fibers.

Coated Nylon Fabric

Windcheater or wind breaker jackets made from coated nylon fabric that can be woven or non woven. This waterproof coated fabric is also used to make dresses and uniforms. You can get the rolls of the nylon coated fabric. Many heavy duty products, messenger bags, awnings, banners rugged tarps are made from vinyl coated fabrics. You can get wide range of vinyl coated fabrics like clear vinyl laminated polyester, clear window vinyl, expanded upholstery vinyl, stretch vinyl, table cloth vinyl, patterned phifertex, coverlight neoprene etc. The vinyl fabric is resistant towards heat and water along with mildew, salt, UV and chemicals. The vinyl material is so strong that it does not stretch, tear or crack.

LDPE Coated Fabric

LDPE coated fabric is made from low density polythene that is kind of thermoplastic made from petroleum. LDPE coated fabric can be recycled. This coated fabric is resistant towards both diluted as well as concentrated acids esters, bases and alcohols. Tray, food storage and laboratory containers, soda can rings etc are made up on LDPE. Beside these you can also get Neoprene Coated Nylon Fabric, Hypalon Coated Nylon Fabric, Nitrile Coated Nylon Fabric, Polyurethane Coated Nylon Fabric, Neoprene Coated Polyester Fabric, Hypalon Coated Polyester Fabric and Butyl Coated Nylon Fabric.

Characteristics of Coated Fabric

• Coated fabric is washable
• Coated fabric is flame retardant
• Coated fabric is mildew resistant
• Coated fabric is stronger
• Coated fabric is durable
• Coated fabric is heavy
• Coated fabric is semi-rigid

Uses of Coated Fabric

• Household Upholstery
• Tarpaulins
• Billboards & Signs
• Wall coverings
• Automotive and Marine Upholstery
• Luggage
• Pool Liners
• Airbags
• Geotextiles
• Industrial fabrics

How to Select Coated Fabric?

To select the coated fabric you will have to check the dimensional specifications, which include

• Fiber denier (Denier is the unit to measure the linear mass density of fibers. It is defined as mass in grams (g) per 9000 (m)
• Overall thickness of coated fabric
• Width and the outer diameter of the coated fabric